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ἐπίσκοπος

epískopos

G1985 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

One who oversees, supervises, or has charge over others; specifically, a person who holds a position of responsibility for oversight or care within a community or institution. In Hellenistic Greek contexts, refers to an official supervisor or inspector; in Jewish-Greek and early Christian sources, designates a figure with responsibility for leadership, pastoral care, and administrative oversight within a gathering or assembly. The term focuses on the function of supervision, direction, and care, rather than a distinct ecclesiastical office as developed later.

Semantic Range

overseer, supervisor, inspector, guardian; official with responsibility for oversight; one who cares for and leads a community; early Christian community leader; later, ecclesiastical 'bishop'

Root / Etymology

From the preposition ἐπί ('upon, over') and σκοπός ('watcher, observer, one who looks'). Hence, 'one who watches over' or 'overseer.' Related to the verb ἐπισκοπέω ('to oversee, look after'). No evidence of derivation from foreign languages; fully native Greek formation.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἐπίσκοπος referred generally to an inspector, overseer, or one appointed to oversee a city, business, or other endeavor, including civic and administrative roles. In the Septuagint and contemporary Jewish literature, it could be applied to roles of supervision such as temple officers or other officials with oversight functions. In early Christian texts (e.g., the New Testament), ἐπίσκοπος is used to designate figures with responsibility over the affairs of a local assembly, particularly focused on ensuring order, teaching, care for members, and administrative duties. The term overlaps in meaning with πρεσβύτερος ('elder'), often used interchangeably in early Christian contexts, though over time distinctions developed. The English translation 'bishop' reflects later ecclesiastical developments and does not precisely capture the fluidity and functional sense of the role in the first century. In most contexts of the New Testament and contemporaneous literature, the term emphasizes the duties of oversight and care, rather than liturgical or juridical authority. Later, especially post-2nd century CE, ἐπίσκοπος developed into a defined ecclesiastical office distinct from other leadership roles.

Translation Consistency

primary "overseer" 5 occurrences

epískopos primarily denotes one who oversees or supervises a community—responsibility for care, leadership, and oversight. 'Overseer' is the natural, widely used English equivalent in biblical translations, accurately conveys the functional sense without importing later ecclesiastical terminology, and matches the predominant P2 renderings.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἐπί and σκοπός (in the sense of ἐπισκοπέω); a superintendent, i.e. Christian officer in genitive case charge of a (or the) church (literally or figuratively):--bishop, overseer.

Root Family

ἐπίσκοπος (episkopos) — overseer, supervisor, watcher over, guardian

Root ἐπισκοπ- to watch over, to oversee, to supervise

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1985-02 ἐπίσκοπον episkopon N ACC M SG overseer overseer overseer 3
G1985-01 ἐπισκόποις episkopois N DAT M PL overseers to overseers overseers 1
G1985-03 ἐπισκόπους episkopous N ACC M PL overseers overseers overseers 1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1985-03 Acts 20:28 ἐπισκόπους episkopous N ACC M PL overseers overseers overseers
G1985-01 Philippians 1:1 ἐπισκόποις episkopois N DAT M PL overseers to overseers overseers
G1985-02 1 Timothy 3:2 ἐπίσκοπον episkopon N ACC M SG overseer overseer overseer
G1985-02 Titus 1:7 ἐπίσκοπον episkopon N ACC M SG overseer overseer overseer
G1985-02 1 Peter 2:25 ἐπίσκοπον episkopon N ACC M SG Bishop overseer overseer
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