ἐπισκοπή (episkopē)
episkopē
oversight
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun episkopē denotes a careful visitation or act of looking into something with purpose. In the New Testament, it carries two distinct but related meanings: the divine act of visiting humanity and the human office of overseeing a community. When applied to God, as in Luke 19:44, it describes His intervention to judge or save, echoing the Old Testament concept of God’s visitation.
Conversely, in passages like 1 Timothy 3:1, the word shifts to describe an official role. Here, episkopē refers to the position or responsibility of a bishop or overseer within the early church. This usage highlights the duty of supervision and care, linking the spiritual authority of the office to the practical task of managing the congregation’s welfare.
The term derives from a root meaning "to watch over," connecting the idea of divine scrutiny with human stewardship. While God’s visitation is an act of sovereign judgment or mercy, the church’s oversight is a service of guidance. Both senses emphasize that true authority involves attentive care and responsibility for those under its charge.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ἐπισκοπὴ (episkopē) carries a dual weight in Scripture, bridging the gap between divine action and human responsibility. In Luke 19:44, it describes God’s visitation—a moment of decisive intervention where He looks upon His people with purpose. This is not a casual glance but a sovereign act that brings either judgment or salvation. It reminds us that God is actively present in history, watching over the course of events with intent.
At the same time, 1 Timothy 3:1 applies this term to the church, referring to the office of an overseer. Here, the focus shifts to stewardship. To seek this role is to desire a good work, one that requires careful attention to the spiritual welfare of others. The connection between these two uses is profound: just as God visits with care and authority, those who lead in the church are called to mirror that same attentive oversight.
This concept invites reflection on how we view authority and care. Whether it is God’s visitation or the service of a leader, episkopē emphasizes responsibility. It calls for a heart that watches over others with diligence and love, recognizing that true leadership is rooted in faithful stewardship rather than power.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- position1×
- overseership1×
- of visitation.1×
- of visitation1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐπισκοπῆς2×
- ἐπισκοπῆς.¶1×
- ἐπισκοπὴν1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 19:44
and will dash you and your children within you to the ground. They will not leave in you one stone on another, because you didn’t know the time of your visitation.”
This verse uses episkopē to describe God's decisive visitation for judgment, highlighting the seriousness of recognizing divine timing.
-
I Timothy 3:1
This is a faithful saying: someone who seeks to be an overseer desires a good work.
Here the word defines the office of an overseer, framing leadership as a desirable and significant responsibility within the community.
-
I Peter 2:12
having good behavior among the nations, so in that of which they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good works and glorify God in the day of visitation.
Peter links good conduct to the 'day of visitation,' suggesting that our lives can lead others to glorify God when He intervenes.