What does the Bible say about titles of men, in the religious context? Part 9 of 12 The word and title ‘pastor’. Some English bible-versions have in Ephesians 4:11 the word “pastor”. That is copied from the Latin text of the Catholic Vulgate version which has in that verse the phrase pastores et doctores, “shepherds and teachers”, a translation of the Greek wording poimenas kai didaskalous which has the same meaning. (Early English bible-versions translated the phrase poimenas kai didaskalous properly, as “shepherds and teachers”. It was the makers of the 1560 Geneva bible who put the Latin word “pastor” into that verse.) If we take NASB-77 as an example, we find that it contains the word “pastor” in one passage – Ephesians 4:11. Again, that is copied from the Latin text of the Catholic Vulgate version which has in that verse pastores et doctores, a translation of the wording poimenas kai didaskalous in the Greek text of the NT. Both phrases, Latin and Greek, meant “shepherds and teachers”. It appears that the apostle Paul used that poetic wording as a description of the two-fold role that elders had, in the saints’ fellowships. On the one hand, they were to act as guardians, protecting Jesus’ “flock” from enemies, just as a shepherd protects a flock from wolves and the like. And, on the other hand, they were to instruct and guide the believers in the right ways. – Point: The phrase poimenas kai didaskalous does not refer to two separate duties, but instead to different aspects of a single duty: That of being an elder. Some have claimed that Ephesians 4 contains “a list of ecclesiastical ranks” or “titles”. (The article ge01.htm has some notes on the “ranks” matter.) – But, the apostle Paul was talking about spiritual gifts, and not about “ranks”. He wrote, to the saints in Ephesus: Ephesians 4:4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. (NKJV, highlighting added) Compare that with what Jesus said to his disciples: Matthew 23:8 “But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 “And do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10 “And do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. (NASB-77, highlighting added) As you can see, those clear words of Jesus do not leave any place for “ecclesiastical titles” or “ranks”. A note regarding the word didaskalos (didaskalous) which appears in the Greek text of Ephesians 4:11 – when that word is in the NT used alone, as a title, then it refers to Jesus, more than 40 times. The Greek text of John 1:38 shows that didaskalos had the same use or meaning as rabbi. Regarding that title and to whom it belongs, see Matthew 23:8-10, quoted above. (The Catholic concept “Doctors of the Church”, Doctores Ecclesiae, was discussed earlier in this article.) The title ‘pastor general’. As was noted above, the old Latin noun pastor meant “shepherd”. It was a translation of the Greek noun poimên which had the same meaning. Some churches use “pastor general” as a religious title. But, who was the saints’ “pastor general”? The answer to that question is found in 1 Peter 5. The Greek text of that passage has the word archipoimên which meant “main shepherd” or “chief shepherd”. The apostle Peter wrote to certain elders – please notice the words “chief shepherd” in verse 4: 1 Peter 5:1 And I, an Elder, your associate, and a witness of the sufferings of the Messiah, and a participator in his glory which is to be revealed, entreat the Elders who are among you: 2 Feed e ye the flock of God which is committed to you: have care for it, spiritually; not from compulsion, but voluntarily; not for base gain, but with all your heart; 3 not as lords of the flock, but so as to be a good example for them: 4 that when the chief shepherd f shall be revealed, ye may receive from him a crown of glory that fadeth not. (MUR, note signs added) The point here is that Jesus was the saints’ “pastor general” (the “main shepherd”). Not anyone else, but only Jesus. e In verse 2, where MUR has “feed”, the Greek NT text has the verb poimanate (poimainô) which literally referred to what a poimên (shepherd) does, but was also used in such meanings as “to cherish”, “to mind”, “to tend”, “to guide”. The above-quoted translation has in the middle of that verse, “have care of it, spiritually”, and obviously, that is what the apostle Peter was talking about. Please note that Peter specially added, “not as lords of the flock, but so as to be a good example for them”, verse 3. “Chief shepherd” (that is, Jesus) – in the Greek text of that verse, the word is archipoimên, indeed meaning “chief shepherd”. Simon Peter used symbolic language. Obviously, he was talking about elders as “guardians” of Jesus’ sheep – guardians in the meaning that they were to protect the saints from “wolves” and other beasts who wanted to fatten themselves at the cost of Jesus’ flock. (Regarding “wolves” – “look out for false prophets, who come to you under the guise of sheep, but inside they are devouring wolves”, Matthew 7:15, WIL. Consider that warning, and Paul’s comments in Acts 20:29. The article im02.htm has more on Acts 20:29 and the occasion when the apostle Paul warned certain elders about “wolves” of the above-mentioned kind, wolves who would not follow the example which Paul had set.) So, the Latin-based title “Pastor General” actually means “Chief Shepherd”. And, as we all can understand, even without reading 1 Peter 5:4, that title belongs to Jesus alone. A note: Many bible-translators have put misleading wordings into the above-quoted 1 Peter 5:4, such as “exercising oversight”; one has even “discharging the office of bishops”. Keep in mind that most English bibles have been produced by churches and churchmen, for the needs and purposes of churches and churchmen. (Again, if you have been subjected to dogmas which claim that some particular bible-version is “without error”, make sure to read the article hs03.htm.) biblepages.net/ga08.htm
Posted on: Sun, 09 Jun 2013 17:06:23 +0000
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