Depending on the context, then, presbyteros can mean: (1) "older man" or "old man," as in 1 Timothy 5:1 "Do not sharply rebuke an older man [presbyteros]." (2) a title for a community official, an "elder," as in 1 Timothy 5:17: "Let the elders [presbyteroi] who rule well be considered worthy of double honor.".. the strict sense of advanced age is eliminated from the meaning of elder when referring to a community leader certain connotations such as maturity, experience, dignity, authority, and honor are retainedEldership, 125
shared leadership is often more trying than unitary leadership. It exposes our impatience with one another, our stubborn pride, our bull-headedness, our selfish immaturity, our domineering disposition, our lack of love and understanding of one another, and our prayerlessness. It also shows how underdeveloped and immature we really are in humility, brotherly love, and the true servant spirit.Eldership, 114
According to Paul's required qualifications for eldership, a prospective elder must have enough knowledge of the Bible to be able to refute false teachers.Eldership, 17