Foundations of Christian Leadership, Mentor's Guide, MG07

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F O U N D A T I O N S O F C H R I S T I A N L E A D E R S H I P

How Old Was an Elder?

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“Elders” were highly respected in Greek gymnasia and exercised a ruling function in synagogues and churches, as they had in communities in the Old Testament. Because Timothy joined Paul before A.D. 50 (Acts 16.1–3; men entered adulthood around puberty, so Timothy may have been in his midteens) and Paul is writing in the early sixties, Timothy is at least in his mid-twenties and could well be in his early or mid-thirties; this term for “youth” (KJV) could apply up to the age of forty, although it usually applied especially to someone under twenty-nine. But those who were not elders were often considered inappropriate for leadership positions (cf. 1 Sam 17.33), and many offices even in Judaism became available only at age forty. Most stories about the appointment of young men were made up later to extol prodigies (postbiblical stories about Daniel, Solomon or several rabbis); Timothy’s appointment was thus a rare privilege in his culture. But even though Timothy is younger than the elders he is advising, he is to take the role of the mature leader and act as an example for the community. Teachers normally asked disciples to imitate them, and in so doing took the role of father figures. ~ Craig S. Keener. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (1 Tim. 4.12). (electronic ed.). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993.

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1. The concept developed in sync with OT understanding.

a. They were persons of mature age .

b. They were recognized as spiritually mature .

c. They functioned together as a unit , and held equal respect and authority as individuals.

2. They were known as representatives of the community.