Bishop
PeopleWhat is the meaning of Bishop in the Bible?
The term bishop originates from the Greek episkopos, meaning overseer, and refers to a leader in the early Christian church responsible for governing, supervising, and providing pastoral care to the community.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the role of the bishop clarifies the organizational structure of the early church and helps readers identify the specific administrative and pastoral duties assigned to leaders in the New Testament epistles.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Genealogy & Community Insight: When reading, notice how the lineage and actions of Bishop reveal God's preservation of family clans and community records across generations.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Bishop in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Bishop clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Bishop." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/bishop/