Did elders in the saints' fellowships act as 'servant leaders'? On what the Bible says about leadership among Jesus' disciples.
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The phrase "servant leadership" was coined around 1970, by the American writer Robert
K. Greenleaf. Some hierarchical preachers have then woven around that phrase dogmas
for the purpose of supporting church hierarchies. But, is there any scriptural basis
for such teachings? Is "servant leadership" a biblical concept? Did elders in the
saints' fellowships act as "servant leaders" (whatever that could be or mean)? Some
have claimed so, but what does the Bible say? Further: What about our day – should
believers follow men and men's teachings? This essay takes a closer look at the
scriptural record, and shows what the Bible says about leadership among Jesus' disciples.
It will be studied what Jesus and the apostle Paul taught regarding that subject.
A note: This is the only passage in the 1769 KJ version New Testament that contains the word "leader":
Matthew 15:14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. (KJV-1769)
That was regarding the Pharisees. The essay eo12c.htm has more on them, and on what Jesus really said about them.
What is it that the Bible says about leadership among Jesus' disciples? Again, the question was, whether or not "servant leadership" is a biblical concept. The word "leadership" is not found in the 1769 KJ version of the Bible, and as was shown above, in the KJ New Testament, the word "leader" is found only in Matthew 15:14 which talks about the blind being led into the ditch.
The important thing is to find out what Jesus taught his disciples regarding how many leaders they were to have. Jesus told his disciples that they were brothers – equal, and that they were to have only one Teacher and Leader, and only one (spiritual) Father:
Matthew 23:8 "But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 "And do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10 "And do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. 11 "But the greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 "And whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted. (NASB-77)
Please also note Jesus' words to his disciples: "You are all brothers". That is: They were equal. None of them was "higher" or better" than the others.
More: Jesus forbade the use of titles such as "rabbi" – that is, "my great one", "teacher", "master" (verse 8). Jesus told his disciples that they were not to call any man "father" (verse 9). (The essay ea08b.htm has more on the Bible says about titles of men in the religious context.) Further, Jesus said those disciples:
Matthew 23:10 Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. (NASB-77)
Those are very clear words.
And then: Jesus has no "deputies" or "special representatives" here on Earth. The concept or claim of preachers being some kind of "proxies" for Jesus, or "vice rulers", is merely a copy of old Catholic deception. Some even copy the Catholic talk about "Peter's keys". That subject is too large to be included here; the essay eb08c.htm has more on Matthew 16:19 and the "keys of the Reign of the Heavens". The essay eo01b.htm considers what, when and where God's Reign really is.
Then there are verses 11 and 12 (Matthew 23). They are quite problematic for this world's churches and preachers. Because of that, they have had them translated in ways which make it possible for them to get around Jesus' clear instruction. Those translations help preachers who take verse 11 out of its context, to twist it into a talk about "servant leadership". But, there are some translations which render that verse in a better way. Here is one of them:
Matthew 23:11 The man who would be the greatest among you must be your servant. (20CNT)
"The man who would be" – that is, anyone who was so puffed up that he would, against Jesus' clear instructions, try to make himself a "leader". Erring people of that kind were to be kept low: "Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled" (verse 12). Because, as the context shows, Jesus told his disciples that they were equal and were to have only one Teacher and Leader:
Matthew 23:8 "But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 "And do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10 "And do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. (NASB-77)
That was the context. That explains Jesus' words which are recorded in verse 11. But, many preachers shamelessly take verse 11 out of its context and twist it and turn Jesus' teaching totally upside down. The concept of someone being a "servant leader" (in spiritual things) is totally unbiblical, but preachers take things and words out of their context and twist them, and deceive and manipulate gullible people.
One of the questions mentioned at the beginning of this essay was, did elders in the saints' fellowships act as "servant leaders"? The basics of that matter were explained above, such as that for instance the 1769 KJ version does not contain the word "leadership", and that the only NT passage where the word "leader" occurs talks about people being mislead ("led into the ditch").
Also, it was shown that Jesus told his disciples in plain words that they were equal, and that none of them was "higher" than the others, and that they were to have only one leader and master – Jesus. Some of those disciples had tried to created a "pecking order", but Jesus corrected them. (This was before those disciples had received the Holy Spirit.) We read:
Mark 9:33 And they came to Capernaum; and when He was in the house, He began to question them, "What were you discussing on the way?" 34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had discussed with one another which of them was the greatest. 35 And sitting down, He called the twelve and said to them, "If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all." (NASB-77)
First, let us note that verse 34 shows that those disciples were ashamed, and did not want to tell Jesus what they had been talking about. They had known better, but they had nevertheless had acted in carnal ways.
Let us also note that Jesus did not say that those who wanted to be "great", were to be elected as "elders" or "leaders". No, he said that puffed up men of the kind who wanted to be "great", were to be put in their proper place, which meant that they were to be considered to be of least importance and of least status, among the disciples.
Let us also remember Matthew 23:8-10. Jesus told his disciples that none of them was to be called "Teacher" (for Jesus was their Teacher, and they all were brothers, equal). And, they were not to call anyone on Earth their "Father" (as a "spiritual title"), for the only spiritual Father they had, was in Heaven. And, as NASB-77 has it, none of them was to be called "Leader", because Jesus was their Leader.
The book of Luke records even these words of Jesus:
Luke 22:24 And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest. 25 And He said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called 'Benefactors.' 26 "But not so with you, but let him who is the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as the servant. (NASB-77)
The same text, with quote-marks used in a different way:
Luke 22:24 And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest. 25 And he said to them, The kings of the gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called "benefactors". 26 But not so with you, but let him who is the "greatest" among you become as the youngest, and the "leader" as the servant.
Why did Jesus say those things to them? It was because they quarrelled about which of them was "greatest":
Luke 22:24 And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest. (NASB-77)
This was after Jesus had given them the bread and the wine, when he was about to be captured and killed. Apparently, the disciples had now understood (from what Jesus had told them during the evening meal) that Jesus would not remain among them. So, they were trying to create a "pecking order", carnal as they still were at that time. Apparently, they had forgotten what Jesus had previously taught them regarding such things. But, Jesus was patient with them, even on that occasion, shortly before he was to be killed, and corrected them in their folly.
Back to the basics – this passage cannot be read too many times:
Matthew 23:8 "But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 "And do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10 "And do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. (NASB-77)
For more on the role of elders among the saints, see also the essays ee01c.htm, ee02b.htm and ee04c.htm.
Some preachers have claimed that one must not only look to the New Testament for guidelines regarding "leadership", but also to the Old Testament. That is not correct, but, there are nevertheless some things to learn in the Old Testament.
Again, please remember Matthew 23:8-10 (quoted above) and what Jesus taught his disciples, regarding how many teachers and leaders they were to have. Jesus' teachings make it clear that the whole concept of men being "spiritual leaders" is totally unbiblical.
But, let us nevertheless consider some things in the Old Testament.
Consider this: Ancient Israel rejected the Lord as their Leader, and demanded to have a mortal ruler in his stead. That event is described in 1 Samuel 8:7 which records how the Lord said to Samuel:
"[...] for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them". (NKJV)
Another translation, in more clear language:
[...] for it is me they are rejecting, not you. They don’t want me to be their king any longer. (NLT)
Samuel was not a ruler wither, but a judge. Up until that time, the Lord had been Israel's ruler. But now they rejected him, and demanded to have a mortal ruler instead.
Incredible as it may sound, some preachers have claimed that passage to be "proof" that people who do not accept some preachers' demands to be "leaders" and "rulers", supposedly are "great sinners". Those preachers have claimed that those who do not "obey" the preacher or accept his teachings (doctrines) as "truth", supposedly "reject God". Now, are those preachers really "gods", or are they some kind of "vice gods" here on Earth, so that they could be "rejected" in that way? No; God has no vicars here on Earth. (The Latin noun vicarius, from vice which meant "in place of", meant "substitute", "deputy", "proxy", "vicegerent".)
A note: The essay es08c.htm has more on the word and concept "doctrine", and shows whether or not it is biblical to have and follow "doctrines".
Again: Up until the day when the Israelites rejected the Lord as their leader and ruler, and demanded to have a mortal ruler to lead them, the Lord had been their sole ruler. Samuel the priest was not their ruler; the Lord was. They had no ruler except the Lord. They had judges, to sort out their internal disputes. Even Samuel was a judge. But, the judges were not rulers. Israel had not had mortal rulers, simply because the Lord was their ruler. But then Israel sinned: They rejected the Lord and demanded to have a mortal ruler and leader, in his place.
What parallels can be drawn out of that? What does that say to believers in our day?
Here are some passages which give an answer to that question (in addition to what was said above):
Jeremiah 17:5 Thus says the LORD: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man And makes flesh his strength, Whose heart departs from the LORD. 6 For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, And shall not see when good comes, But shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, In a salt land which is not inhabited. 7 "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD. (NKJV)
Psalms 62:7 In God is my salvation and my glory; The rock of my strength, And my refuge, is in God. 8 Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah 9 Surely men of low degree are a vapor, Men of high degree are a lie; If they are weighed on the scales, They are altogether lighter than vapor. (NKJV)
Psalms 56:11 In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? (NKJV)
Psalms 118:8 It is better to trust in the LORD Than to put confidence in man. 9 It is better to trust in the LORD Than to put confidence in princes. (NKJV)
Psalms 146:3 Do not put your trust in princes, Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help. (NKJV)
Proverbs 29:25 The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe. (NKJV)
Please carefully consider what those passages really say.
Many preachers have talked about "biblical leadership" (or "spiritual leadership", or whatever), and claimed that people should "follow" a man, the preacher. They have claimed that the apostle Paul supposedly told the saints to "follow him as he followed Jesus". However, the Greek text of the New Testament shows that Paul did not do that or say anything like that. It is only that many bible-translations have twisted Paul's words, and have caused people to think otherwise.
In the passages in question, Paul did not talk about "following a man". He used the Greek word mimêtês and related word-forms, all of which referred to "imitating". The essay em03c.htm has more on this.
In short: The apostle Paul never called himself "leader", nor did he tell anyone to "follow him" as one would follow "a leader". What he actually did was that he told the other saints and believers to imitate his example regarding certain things.
For believers, it is important to know and understand what that example really was. Now, that is something a lot of preachers do not want to talk about. That is because of the fact that if people really understood what Paul's example was, that would be very embarrassing for those preachers. The essay em03c.htm has more on the example the apostle Paul set, for the other saints to imitate.
The essay em02c.htm considers a related subject. Please also read the essay eb13e.htm which considers what Jesus really meant by the words "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:21 and Luke 12:34).
The English word "authority" comes from old Latin auctor which meant "the originator", "the author". Understanding that, it is easy to see that the only authorities there are for believers in biblical and religious matters, are Jesus and the Father. They have no mortal "vicars". (Again, the Latin noun vicarius means "substitute", "deputy", "proxy", "vicegerent".)
The essay es06d.htm has more on biblical authority, who really has it. The essay es07c.htm considers such concepts as "clergy" versus "laity", "scholarship", and a few other things of a similar kind.
Jesus noted that the Pharisees loved to be called rabbi which meant "my great one" (that is, "Teacher" or "Master") (from rab, "great", "many", "much"). Jesus blankly stated that such titles were not to be used among his disciples. (That is, in the religious context. See Matthew 23:8-10 which was quoted above.)
But, many preachers nevertheless use such titles (which were forbidden by Jesus). The title "Doctor" (of theology) is one of them, because the Latin noun doctor means "teacher".
Likewise, many preachers want to (or even demand to) be formally titled "Mister". But, that word comes from "master" which is short for the Latin magister, from magi and magnus which meant "great". Thus, when used as a formal title, "Mister" literally means the same as "Rabbi" which meant something like "my great one".
The essay ea08b.htm has more on titles of men in the religious context.
The Pharisees, a religio-political party, had manipulated themselves into a power-position, as if they would have had a right to some kind of a "Moses seat". Jesus made an ironic comment about that.
The Pharisees had so such "seat", of course. There was no chain of "Moses-figures" from the days of Moses and onward. There was only the original Moses, and then for a long time no-one, and then came the "second Moses":
Acts 7:37 this is the Moses who did say to the sons of Israel: A prophet to you shall the Lord your God raise up out of your brethren, like to me, him shall ye hear. (YLT)
(A note: It could be that the words "him shall you hear" are an addition in this verse – they are not found in all Greek manuscripts – but, those words are nevertheless true. They are found in Acts 3:22 and in Deuteronomy 18:15. See also Deuteronomy 18:18-19.)
"A prophet to you shall the Lord your God raise up out of your brethren, like to me, him shall ye hear" – that is, Jesus.
Only two men have had "a seat of Moses". The first Moses, and then Jesus who is the "second Moses". Jesus remains in that seat and position, and he has no "deputies" or "proxies" here on Earth. The essays eo08c.htm and eo12c.htm have more on this. The essay ea08b.htm has more on the title "the Anointed" (ho Christos).
Many may not know it, but the facts are that in the New Testament, the Greek word diakonos, when used of "religious" things, was mostly used of elders. Actually, in the New Testament text, the noun diakonos is never used of the men whom the saints in Jerusalem elected to serve at the social welfare tables (Acts 6:1-5). The essay ee01c.htm has more on this and shows that the words episkopos, presbuteros and diakonos were used one for another, interchangeably – of elders. That essay also considers what the Bible really says about "ranks" which is something that many preachers also talk about.
Literally, the noun diakonos meant "a waiter", "a servant", "an attendant". The old Latin word minister meant the very same thing: "A servant", "an aider", "an attendant", "a waiter". Then, why is the meaning of the modern English word "minister", the very opposite? When it comes to the religious part of that matter, the reason is more than 1500 years of Catholicism.
In the New Testament, elders in the saints' fellowships are described as "aiders" and "servants". Please note: Not "leaders", but aiders and helpers.
In contrast to that, Catholic and Protestant priests and preachers have acted as rulers and lords. Other, later churches have then copied those Catholic ways. So, even though the Greek text of the New Testament speaks about the elders in the saints' assemblies as servants (not "leaders"; remember Matthew 23:8-10), in many churches the situation is that preachers have made themselves "leaders" and even "rulers". To support that falsehood, bible-translators (working for churches and churchmen) have twisted a number of passages, so that the real facts will not be seen or understood by the "common" people. Again, the essay ee01c.htm has more on this.
The essay ee02b.htm shows that the word and concept "ordination" has no support in the Greek text of the New Testament; even that is something that has been added by shrewd translators who have twisted things.
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A clarifying explanation of the short names for the bible-versions quoted or mentioned at this site, such as that NKJV stands for New King James Version, YLT for Young's Literal translation, HCSB for Holman Christian Standard Bible, NRSV for the New Revised Standard Version, and so on. → es09c.htm
What does the Bible say about the Pharisees? Also, why did Jesus call them vipers, snakes and actors? → eo12c.htm
Jesus warned his disciples about false prophets, teachers of falsehood, deceivers and deception. He said that many would be deceived. → eo09e.htm
What does the Bible say about ordaining and ordination? In other words: How did the saints appoint or choose their elders? And, were those elders "ordained", and did they function as "priests" of some kind? → ee02b.htm
Check your bible knowledge. A basic self-test with 15 biblical questions (with answers and commentary). → es04b.htm
What is the Kingdom of God? Where is it located? Does it exist already, or is it only going to be established in the future? Or, is it only something "in the hearts of men" as some have claimed, quoting the translation "within you" in Luke 17:21? → eo01b.htm
How to understand the Bible. Easy keys to interpreting and understanding Scripture in a better and deeper way, by avoiding certain fundamental but common mistakes and errors in bible study. These vital keys are really the basics for objective bible study. Knowing these keys will make many things easier to interpret and comprehend, and one will see several central matters in the Bible from a new and different perspective, especially in connection with the Gospels and the Epistles. → eg02c.htm
What does the Bible say about elders? What was their role in the saints' fellowships? Also, was there a "hierarchy" with "ranks"? → ee01c.htm
Were the saints "ruled" by elders, as some have claimed? On Hebrews 13:7 and 17 and a number of other passages. → ee04c.htm
Essays related to other matters in connection with religious fellowships. → keyw-a4.htm (Look under the heading "Assembly".)
What the Bible says about titles of men in the religious context. A few comments regarding certain ecclesiastical titles, such as apostle, bishop, deacon, doctor of theology, evangelist, father, minister, pastor, priest, prophet, reverend, and so on. → ea08b.htm
The origin and meaning of the word "church". → eg06b.htm
What does James 3:1 mean? Is the meaning, "be not many teachers", or is it instead, "become not great masters"? What was James talking about? → ea07b.htm
On Jesus' teaching regarding "the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven" or "the keys of the Reign of Heaven". Bible study notes on Matthew 16 verse 19, with context. What did the word "keys" depict or symbolise? What is the interpretation of that passage – what was it that Jesus was saying to his disciples? Also, a general overview and comments on the subject of "binding and loosing". → eb08c.htm
What does the English language word and concept "doctrine" literally mean? Likewise, the terms "dogma", "creed" and "tenet", what do they signify? Countless preachers and doctors of theology compile dogmas, creeds, tenets and doctrinal statements of beliefs, and claim them to be "the Truth". But, they do not agree with each other. Their opinions and teachings differ, depending on their denomination and its viewpoints, and there is much confusion. So, the pertinent question is, who has the "true doctrines" or "correct dogmas"? What should one think – do the Scriptures give any guidance regarding this matter? What does the Bible say about "doctrine"? → es08c.htm
On the example the apostle Paul set, for others to imitate. Paul did not tell people to "follow him as a leader"; what he did was that he told the saints to imitate him, to copy his example. It is important for believers to know what kind of example Paul referred to and meant, and in what connection. → em03c.htm
Acts 20:35 – what did the apostle Paul mean when he said to the elders from Ephesus, "it is more blessed to give than to receive", and when he said to them, "I have shown you in everything, by working like this, that we must support the infirm"? → em02c.htm
Luke 12:34 and Matthew 6:21, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also". What does that mean? What was Jesus talking about? → eb13e.htm
What does the Bible say about authority? Who has biblical, spiritual or religious authority on the mundane, human level? Who can speak for God? Knowing the answers to those questions is a vital key to understanding the Bible in a better and deeper way. → es06d.htm
"Amateur bible students" versus "professional theologians". Some preachers have spitefully called people who actively study the Bible on their own, "amateur theologians". Indeed, many a clergyman seems to feel that a layman should not put his or her nose into theological studies but should rather leave those things to "experts". But, is that correct? This treatise sorts out that matter, and clarifies and explains in layman's terms the linguistic and historical background of the concepts "clergymen" and "laymen", and gives the definition and actual meaning of such words as "clergy", "laity", "scholar" and "scholarly". → es07c.htm
Moses – Jesus the Second Moses – parallels between Moses and Jesus – the seat of Moses – Jesus, Moses and Elijah. → eo08c.htm
Power among Jesus' disciples. What powers were given to the apostles, and to the saints in general? Also: Did the apostle Peter receive some special powers? → ea09b.htm
1 Corinthians 1:10, "all speak the same thing" – what did the apostle Paul mean? → ea06c.htm
Is Jesus "a cap-stone on top of a pyramid" as some have claimed, or is he, as the Bible says, the main corner-stone of the foundation of God's spiritual house or dwelling? → ea05c.htm
What does the word "burdensome" in 1 Thessalonians 2:6 really refer to – was Paul talking about money, or about something else? → em06d.htm
On Titus 1:15 and the translation "to the pure all things are pure", and what the apostle Paul really meant and referred to. → ee05b.htm
Monetary things in connection with religious fellowships. → keyw-s5.htm (Look under the heading "Silver and gold".)
The meaning of the words Christ, Christian, Messiah and Messias. Also: Did the saints call themselves "Christians" – christianos or christianoi? → eg07b.htm
What does the Bible say about the antichrist or antichrists? The meaning of the Greek word antichristos. Also: The apostle John spoke about multiple antichristoi, plural, not a singular one only. → eo02d.htm
Matthew 16:18, "I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it". What was Jesus talking about? What is the immortal assembly or ekklêsia which he said he would form, and where is it located? Is it an earthly religious organisation in this world – a church – or is it a heavenly assembly that has as its members the saints who have become immortals? → ea01d.htm
What the Bible says about excommunication, marking and avoiding. Additionally, some notes on the words and concepts "heresy" and "heretic". → ea10c.htm
Should believers vote? About things within their fellowships, or in political elections in the society around them? Does the Bible say anything about voting? → ea13b.htm
Here is a page that contains a small brain-teaser with a big spiritual lesson. → ew07b.htm
Colossians 2:16-17, "Let no man therefore judge you". What was Paul really talking about? → eo07d.htm
What does salt symbolise, in the Bible? (Matthew 5:13, "You are the salt of the earth", Luke 14:34, "If the salt has lost its flavour, how shall it be seasoned", and so on.) → eo14c.htm
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This page was created or modified 2010-02-02.