The word translated bishop or overseer in the New Testament comes from the Greek word, episkope. In this context, it means the overseer or presiding officer of a church. Check out video slots within our webpage and you'll see the distinctions!.

Episcopal is the English word that is derived from the Greek root word, and it still refers to matters pertaining to a bishop.

Here are some examples of the use of the word bishop in the New Testament:

• This [is] a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach (1 Ti. 3:1-2).
• For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take (Acts 1:20).

The same word can also be used to refer to Christ's visitation to mankind or to his oversight of his own.

• And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation (Luke 19:44).