Afghan

Okay I asked this one over in Christian Forums which apparently isn't the place for expert scholarship. I'm not surprised but I thought it a reasonable thing to do before throwing it to the Infidels.

So my question... does συν επισκοποις και διακονοις refer to "bishops and deacons" as ranks within the early church or is Paul speaking figuratively about "overseers and servants".

And if it is the former is there anything to connect επισκοποι with the tradition of apostolic succession at that point in the history of the church?

countjulian

Well, just going on how they sound, I'd say Bishop and deacon are the best translation...

hatsoff

I'm pretty sure it means the formal overseer--IE, the Bishop. Peter and Linus were early Bishops, I know.

countjulian

Really. Does that come from 1 Clement?

hatsoff

Eusebius. It may also be mentioned in 1 Clement.

Afghan

Yeah... but the English words are derived from the Greek. It's hardly surprising that they sound the same. But the Greek words mean "overseer" and "servant".

Afghan

From 1 Clement...

42:1 The Apostles received for us the gospel from our Lord Jesus Christ; our Lord Jesus Christ received it from God.

42:2 Christ, therefore, was sent out from God, and the Apostles from Christ; and both these things were done in good order, according to the will of God.

42:3 They, therefore, having received the promises, having been fully persuaded by the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, and having been confirmed by the word of God, with the full persuasion of the Holy Spirit, went forth preaching the good tidings that the kingdom of God was at hand.

42:4 Preaching, therefore, through the countries and cities, they appointed their firstfruits to be bishops and deacons over such as should believe, after they had proved them in the Spirit.

42:5 And this they did in no new way, for in truth it had in long past time been written concerning bishops and deacons; for the scripture, in a certain place, saith in this wise: I will establish their bishops in righteousness, and their deacons in faith.

Thanks guys. But any clue which bit of scripture Clement is referring to in 42:5?

S.C.Carlson

It is a loose quotation of Isa 60:17 "I will appoint Peace as your overseer and Righteousness as your taskmaster." (NRSV)

Stephen

robto

These are usually considered titles that developed later as the church became more heirarchical. Their use is one of the reasons that scholars think some of the NT letters of "Paul" were not actually written by him.

Later writers call Peter (e.g.) the "bishop" of Rome, but that's anachronistic. They are assuming that the structure they knew existed at the earlier time.

Afghan

Mmm. But Philippians is generally considered authentic, isn't it?