Another description of the same role of a shepherd is the word, “overseer”. The word means “a watchman over or upon.” The word “superintend” is often used to describe it. It describes a responsible task. The word itself does not specify the particular task for which one is responsible. But, its use in our context, specifies the task of overseeing souls. The language we use to describe this role accurately must reflect biblical teaching. Even using the same words today that were used then may need clarification. For example, the Greek word “episkopos” translated “overseer” when applied to an institutional church is used as a title in a position of power. But, when applying “overseer” to the oversight of individual Christians within his reach and influence, the organizational structure is out of context. One of the definitions used in religious circles searching for some evidence to support a greater position of authority than taught here is from SGHL. It describes an overseer as “a man charged with the duty of seeing that things get done or the superintendent, elder, or overseer of a Christian church.” This gives the sense of power in delegating authority. There is nothing in the Scriptures to support this definition in the context of soul-oversight. The definition does not fit its use in Scripture.
In non-biblical Greek, an overseer had the meaning of a watcher, protector, or patron and had no religious significance but was “used almost exclusively for very secular appointments with technical and financial responsibilities.” In Athens, for example, it was a title for state officials. It was also used of local officials and officers of societies. The Greek gods also bore the role of patron or protector. In Pindar’s Olymp., 14,5, the goddesses are recognized as protectors. It carries the idea of one who watches over a given town to offer aid and protection. Zeus was praised as a protector and many cities had a god as their patron who was not only protectors but avengers of wrongdoers. The New Testament translations use the English words, “bishop,” “overseer”, “guardian” or “superintendent”.
Paul distinguishes certain individuals who were of the ekklesia and living in Philippi as overseers (Phil. 1:1). Again, in 1 Tim. 3:1, the term refers to a distinct work that one may seek. It reads, “If a man desires the overseership, he desires a good work. Paul is referring to the “work” of an overseer, not a church official. The “good work” describes a definite function among Christians minus the institutional medium to fulfill it.
A derivative of the word further shows it to be a work by appointment and thereby approved by those who chose him. For example, when the disciples chose Matthias to replace Judas as one of the apostles, the text reads, “… and his overseership let another take.” Here’s another example of the overlapping work of pastors and apostles. The verb is used in 1 Peter 5:2 where elders (men of age, advanced in life rather than young men or novices) were told to take the oversight of the flock of God. Here’s a great picture of what is overseen. The thought is closely linked to the idea of a shepherd who watches over sheep of a flock. For this reason, we may view the term “overseer” as another description of a shepherd and describe this work as “pastoral oversight.” For example, Jesus is said to be the shepherd and bishop (or overseer) of souls (1 Peter 2:25) and Peter writes, “Be shepherds of the flock, taking the oversight thereof” (1 Peter 5:2). The connection between the two is linked to each other in the Scriptures.