Definition: Bishop

 A modern definition of the word bishop is: an ordained member of the clergy who is in a position of oversight of a defined territory. The bishop is considered to be the chief pastor of the defined territory.

Bishop in English is derived from the biblical Greek word ἐπίσκοπος (transliterated into English as episkopos). This is the word from which episcopal is derived.

ἐπίσκοπος, as described in Strong’s 1985, is derived from two words, ἐπί (epi) and σκοπός (skopos). The preposition ἐπί (Strong’s 1909) is translated as on, upon, at, over, by, before, across, up against, beside, in, above, among, or on the basis of. The male noun σκοπός skopos (Strong’s 4649) is translated as look, watch over, to peer about, to act as a to consider, a sentry, an observer, and the mark toward which runners ran in a race.

ἐπίσκοπος is usually translated as an elder, bishop, watcher, or overseer. The biblical documents use only male pronouns for these persons. Whether or not this restricts eligibility for the office of bishop only to men is a contested issue among modern Christians. These persons are expected to be noble, above reproach, and able to teach.

In the Bible, bishops represented a single local church and served as a team of elders within that church. The idea of a bishop over a region or an entire country developed later as the Christian community became more organized and needed overall leadership. Just as with the office of bishop, the particular type of church governance is still a contested issue among modern Christians.

 Acts 20:17; Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-7; 1 Peter 5:1.

He Laughs

 In the Bible, names are very important. They have meanings and are not just random sounds. Our modern names are the same. Look up the meanings of your personal name and/or surname. For example, The male personal name Robert is derived from the name Hrodebert which comes from two Germanic words, hrod (glory, fame) and berht (shining, bright). The female personal name Melissa is a direct transliteration of the Greek word μέλισσα (honeybee).

In the story of Abraham, Sarah, and Isaac their names are extremely important.  They show that God is directly and personally involved in history. I believe that, in this biblical account, God shows himself to have a sense of humor and he shows that what he announces and promises will happen. He uses Isaac’s name as a reminder.

God promised to the elderly Abram and his 90+ years-old wife, Sarai, that he would give them a son. They both quietly chuckled to themselves at the seemingly absurd promise, not realizing that God would know that they thought it was funny.

Commenters have pointed out that God directly inserted himself into human history when he changed the names of Abram (Strong’s H87, אַבְרָם) and Sarai (Strong’s H8297, שָׂרַי) to AbraHam (Strong’s H85, אַבְרָהָם) and SaraH (Strong’s H8283, שָׂרָה). Many believe that the H (ה)  reflects the tetragrammaton JHWH (Yahweh, Strong’s H3068, יְהוָֹה), one of God’s names.

God told the couple to name their child Isaac (Strong’s H3327 and H3446, יִצְחָק). The name means he laughs. Some might see this as a sarcastic response to the couple but most commenters say instead that this is a reminder that God can do what he says he will do. Whenever they said their beloved son’s name, they would be reminded that they laughed and doubted but that God fulfilled his promise.

“For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?” Isaiah 14:27. The obviously expected answer here is no one.

Genesis 17:5, 17:15-19, 18:10-14; Isaiah 14:27.

Biblical Sources of Common English Phrases: Laughter is the best medicine

 

Laughter is the best medicine is a popular saying in English. The origin of the phrase is believed to have come from Proverbs 17:22 (NIV): "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."  (שָׂמֵחַ sameach joyful, gleeful, happy, merry: Strong’s 8056)

לֵב שָׂמֵחַ יֵיטִב גֵּהָה וְרוּחַ נְכֵאָה תְּיַבֶּשׁ־גָּרֶם

Sarcasm in the Bible: 1 King 18:27

 

The Bible is not afraid to use sarcasm and biting irony to mock false gods, expose hypocrisy and doctrinal error, and to call out spiritual arrogance. The scriptures use sarcasm while also warning us against being malicious, mean-spirited, or seeking personal revenge.

In 1 Kings 18:27 the prophet Elijah laughs at the priests of Baal who prayed for hours for their deity to start a fire. Baal seems to be uninterested in and unresponsive to their prayers. The English Standard Version (ESV) translates Elijah as perhaps suggesting that Baal is busy relieving himself (urinating).  Other translations are a little more demure but it is probable that Elijah meant to insultingly mock Baal as a false deity.

The original Hebrew phrase, : שִׂיחַ וְכִי־שִׂיג (siach wachi-sig), is a hendiadys (two words joined by "and"). The word siach ( שִׂיחַ Strong’s 7879) usually means "speak," or "meditate" but can be used as a euphemism for bodily urination. The second word, sig (שִׂ֛יג  Strong’s 7873) usually means "to turn aside" or "withdraw".

The linking word for siach and sig is wachi (וְכִֽי־ Strong’s H3588). Depending on its surrounding context it can mean any of the following: and, but, now, even, that, for, because, when, or if.

An interesting discussion of this occurs here: https://hermeneutics.stackexchange.com/questions/20670/was-baal-relieving-himself

Book Comment: Yes Lord, I have Sinned, but I Have Several Excellent Excuses

 

In his book, Yes Lord, I Have Sinned, but I Have Several Excellent Excuses, James W. Moore, discusses the one real sin from which all other sins flow; idolatry of the self, and the numerous excuses we offer to God in our feeble attempts to explain why we are really OK and not to blame for our failures. We can convince ourselves, but not God, that we have good reasons for what we have done or what we are planning to do. Luke 14:15-24. The title of this book is a quotation of a line of dialogue from Tolstoy’s War and Peace.

ἁμαρτία (amartia: sin, missing the mark). Strong’s Greek Concordance says that this word derives from a (not) and meros (a part or a share of). The word is associated with archery and carries the idea of loss because of a failure to hit the mark, the target of the standard set by God.

Some of the sins discussed in this book include: talking a good game, half-heartedness, spiritual arrogance, deception, overreaction, hostility, and presumptuousness, all of which reduce down to the one sin, worship of self.

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As with most books such as this, what you get from the book depends on what you bring with you. You may not agree with everything the author says. Luke (see below) advises you to think for yourself. Read your Bible and to listen to what it says. Do not believe anything just because someone else told to believe it; let the Holy Spirit guide you to the truth.

A general caution: books may give you wonderful new insights and explanations of subjects, but you should never base your Christian beliefs on any one book or the teachings of one person, no matter who they are. All teachings must be consistent with scripture. Read as the Bereans did, with discernment. “… for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.” Acts 17:11 NASB

Any doctrines must be consistent with the historical full body of Christian thought. Doctrines or teachings inconsistent with scripture in any way must be rejected. You would not eat cheese which had a fuzzy fungus growing on it.

Information you will need to search for this book: Moore, James W., Yes Lord, I Have Sinned, but I Have Several Excellent Excuses (Nashville, Tn., Abingdon Press, 1991)

The Restrainer

 

            In the city in which I live, one of the local television stations carries a weekly broadcast of the Sunday morning worship services of a large local church. Every week, immediately after the church service broadcast ends, a commercial begins for a local gambling casino. The world is always ready to pour in if the Church, the ἐκκλησία, is not present as a restaining influence.

            The word, “restrainer, “ is from the Greek word Κατέχον (Strong’s 2722) which is used in the Bible to express ”hold down,” “hold back,” “detain,” “restrain,” and other similar meanings.

            2 Thessalonians 2:6-8 says that “the restrainer,” the one who holds back the world, will continue to do so until he is taken out of the way.  To modern readers, it may not seem to be clearly stated who this restrainer is. A literal translation of the Greek of verse 6 into English is "And now that which is restraining, you know, for to be revealed him in his time."

            Many believe that the restrainer is the Holy Spirit who indwells all the Christians who make up the Church. The removal of the restrainer could reference the removal of the Church at the time of the Rapture.  The Antichrist is to be revealed when the one who hinders his presence is removed.

            These concepts are involved in controversy among theologians over how to interpret eschatological doctrines. I will not tell you what you should believe but I will say that we should, at least, discuss it and not ignore it. Paul assumed that his contemporary readers understood what he was referencing ("you know"). Paul was talking to us also.

Listen For Your Assignment

For 1143 consecutive posts to this blog, I have never “drawn a blank,” Never had writer’s block, never been at a loss for words.  This is not because I am somehow holier than anyone else, or because I am a more talented writer than others.  It is not because I am a bubbling, spewing volcano of ideas.  And it is not because I am some sort of brilliant intellectual. 

We all have talents and skills, even those of us who feel as if we know how to do nothing.   Paul reminded us of this.  We are all important to the functioning of the Church (the ἐκκλησία) which is the Body of Christ.  Ephesians 1:22-23, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Romans 12:6-8.

Some of us are hands, some of us are feet.  As silly as it may sound, some of us may be hair, or eyes, or toenails, or … tonsils.  Every part of the body,  many of which are rarely if ever noticed,  is needed for the body to function at peak efficiency,

The Apostle Paul used his brilliant intellectual powers and his extensive knowledge of Jewish and gentile law and culture to work as an evangelist and theologian.

Tim Tebow, a professional athlete whose talent level and athletic fundamentals are often questioned, often wins because he tries harder than anyone else.  When he does win, he uses the occasion to glorify Jesus.

Brother Lawrence served God by performing kitchen duties and repairing shoes.  The very few pages of text which he wrote have inspired  millions.  During his lifetime, pilgrims came from around the world to meet the simple cook.

 

The gentle people at the Christian Animal Rescue Foundation  protect and comfort God’s creatures, expressing God’s love through kindness to animals.

 

Mother Angelica turned a small convent of nuns in Irondale, Alabama (USA) into an international satellite broadcasting giant .

 

Michael Jr. tells jokes and humorous stories.

 

There are multitudes of people serving the Lord in ways not always recognized as ministry.  These people are not always the most talented or the most capable.   What all of these people have done is to listen.  The Holy Spirit can use whatever you have, whatever you are, whatever you can do.  All you have to do is make yourself available and listen.  Some people say “everything is politics,” or that “everything reduces down to money.”  For the Christian, everything is Jesus.

The purposes of the Lord will be accomplished.  What a sad thing it is if you do not listen and cooperate with Him for He will then call upon someone else and you will miss out on the honor and privilege which was intended for you. Mordechai told Esther that God had put her into position to perform a needed task but that if she failed to perform her assignment another would be chosen.  Esther 4:14.

In this verse, the hypothetical particle im (אִם, Strong's 518)is usually translated as "and who knows." It can also be read as surely, maybe, certainly, or perhaps.  Mordechai very strongly implied what he was meaning to tell Esther.

Intimacy4us

I have added the website, www.intimacy4us.com, to the list of blogs and websites which I check regularly. Each of the websites and blogs on the list contributes to the theme of this blog that Christians should be and are represented in every legitimate human field of endeavor and are “on the loose;” “ακωλητοσ” (“unhindered”).

www.intimacy4us.com  is a site for married Christian women which is dedicated to fostering and enhancing their experience of physical, emotional, and spiritual intimacy with their husbands.

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Update on 31 July, 2026: the site may no longer be active but its focuses still are very relevant. There is no room or need for sexual hesitancy within a Christian marriage. Sexual intimacy in a marriage is absolutely holy and pure. Our great teacher, Paul, told us so in Hebrews 13:4. He describes Christian sexuality as ἀμίαντος. Strong's Concordance #283 translates this word as undefiled, unsoiled, untinted, innocent, and harmless.

Update on 23 June 2026: There are now many word-for-word literal interlinear translations of the Bible available online. These use the earliest and most accepted biblical documents.  Using them, along with the Strong's Concordance online enables anyone to perform a word-for-word study of the scriptures from the original languages and the closest thing that we have to the original texts.

If I quote from a specific Bible translation I will give proper credit.

The Original Post, 18 July 2009:  Anytime I quote from the Bible in this blog it will be from the King James Version because it is in the public domain and has no copyright issues.  I personally use several of the newer Bible  translations and also The Greek New Testament published by the United Bible Societies.

My Greek is slightly above the beginners level but I can fight my way through it with a dictionary.  Not so with Hebrew, which I find to be totally alien and incomprehensible, even though Ron Zorn told me it was easy. I'm glad Hebrew is easy for somebody; they'll just have to tell me what it says.