Theory of the Eldership [pp. 702-759]

1 Timothy v. 17, examined.
"the presiding minister of the church." (Pp. 557, 558.) "We
have shown," (says Dr. Killen, p. 560,) "that in various cities
.......the senior presbyter continued to be president (proestos) until about the close of the second century." The name
of presiding presbyter (7rpoaoz-w, wpEafivr-poo) continued, he
says, "to be given to the Roman bishop until at least the
close of the second century." (Pp. 332, 333.) But we must
stop, for we might fill pages of proof from Dr. Killen alone.*
The term proestos limits and restrains the possibly indefinite
meaning of presbyter to its strict official and ministerial one,
and renders any other interpretation impossible.
But the emphatic and qualifying term, xahoc, translated
well, increases the impropriety of such a reference, since it
declares that the distinction affirmed is not in office, nor even
in function, but in their perfect or imperfect discharge. Judicious presiding required no ordinary ability and wisdom.
In all assemblies, the regularity or irregularity of their proceedings depends much on the wisdom and prudence with
which they are conducted; and in the infant state of the
church, when confusion and disorder did prevail, and made
specific instruction necessary, and when enemies were ever
ready to take advantage of anything which could be converted
into calumnious charges, the security, as well as prosperity
of the churches depended essentially upon the judicious, as
well as winning manner of their presiding ministers.t But,
while all this is true, yet the earnest and edifying presentation
of the truth as it is in Jesus, well and laboriously prepared,
and affectionately conveyed from house to house, as well as
from the pulpit-this was the throne and sceptre of the ministry, the shepherd's crook, by which souls were won and
watched for Christ, and therefore the apostle adds the word
"especially," (/a)tazva) to carry on the emphasis of the word
"well," (xaAow,) and thus by one of the most general and
commonly used terms expresses this thought-that is to say,
if they also "labour in," or diligently and faithfully hold forth
the word of life. The term ua),eara does not divide things that
* See pp. 506, 516-518, 576, 580, 584, 560, 564, 575, 576, 578, 619, 508.
t See Bloomfield and Benson in do. Crit. Digest, in loco.
1860.]
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