Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife,
temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not
a lover of money. (NIV)

An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose
children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and
disobedient. Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he must
be blameless -- not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to
drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather he must
be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled,
upright, holy and disciplined. (NIV)


BISHOP
An overseer, elder, or pastor charged with the responsibility of
spiritual leadership in a local church in New Testament times.
Before the church was founded, the Greek word for bishop was used in a
general sense to refer to local gods as those who watched over people
or countries. The word was later applied to men, including those who
held positions as magistrates or other government offices. And
eventually the term was extended to refer to officials in religious
communities with various functions, including those who supervised the
revenues of pagan temples.
The SEPTUAGINT (Greek translation of the Old Testament) uses bishop to
refer to those who exercise power; sometimes it indicates those who
hold positions of authority. It represents a Hebrew term that refers
to those who are overseers or officers (Num 4:16; Neh 9:9).
In the New Testament, Jesus is called the "Overseer of your souls" (1
Peter 2:25). In this passage the word is associated with the term
shepherd. It is also used to identify the leader of a Christian
community or the one who filled the office of overseer. In Acts 20:28
the elders of the church at Ephesus summoned to meet Paul are
identified as overseers. Their responsibility, given by the Holy
Spirit, was "to shepherd the church of God." In Phil 1 bishops are
associated with deacons, and the qualifications are outlined in 1 Tim
3:2-7 and Titus 1:7-9. Included are standards for his personal and
home life, as well as the bishop's relationships with non-believers.
In Acts 20:17,28 and Titus 1:5,7, the terms bishop and elder are used
synonymously. Also the word bishop, or its related words, appears to
be synonymous with the word shepherd, or its equivalents (Acts 20:28;
1 Peter 2:25; 5:2).
In his work, the bishop was to oversee the flock of God, to shepherd
his people, to protect them from enemies, and to teach, exhort, and
encourage. He was to accomplish this primarily by being an example to
his people. He was to do this willingly and with an eager spirit, not
by coercion or for financial gain. To desire a position as bishop, the
apostle Paul declared, was to desire a good work (1 Tim 3:1). Also see
ELDER.
(from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary)


ELDER
A term used throughout the Bible but designating different ideas at
various times in biblical history. The word may refer to age,
experience, and authority, as well as specific leadership roles.
In ancient times authority was given to older people with wider
experience. These were often considered the most qualified to hold
places of leadership. The basic meaning of the Hebrew and Greek words
for elder is "old age."
In the Old Testament those leaders associated with Moses in governing
the nation of Israel were called "the elders of Israel" (Ex 3:16;
24:1), "the elders of the people" (Ex 19:7), or the "seventy
elders" (Ex 24:1). Moses called these elders together to give them
instructions for the observance of the Passover before the Exodus from
Egypt.
Later, after the years of wandering in the wilderness, bodies of
elders ruled in each city. These elders were viewed as the
representatives of the nation and its people. The term elder
eventually came to be applied to those who governed in the local
communities, the rulers of the various tribes, and those who ruled all
of Israel. These leaders were responsible for legal, political and
military guidance and supervision.
During the years of Israel's captivity in Babylon and the following
centuries, elders again appeared as leaders who were responsible for
governing in the Jewish communities. These elders became the upper
class, forming a type of ruling aristocracy. Later in this period, a
council of elders of 71 members, called the SANHEDRIN, emerged. This
council had both religious and political authority among all the
Jewish people in Palestine, particularly in New Testament times. The
HIGH PRIEST was the chairman of the Sanhedrin. Local Jewish
synagogues, which emerged in the period between the Old and New
Testaments, were also governed by a council of elders.
A governing structure similar to the ruling elders among the Jews was
followed in the early church. The title elder was continued, but the
significance of the office changed. Thus, the term elder is used in
the New Testament to refer to the Jewish elders of the synagogue, to
the members of the Sanhedrin, and to certain persons who held office
in the church. It also implied seniority by reason of age (1 Tim 5:2;
1 Peter 5:5).
The presence of elders in the church in the New Testament indicates
that this office was taken over from the synagogue. Elders were
associated with James in Jerusalem in the local church's government
(Acts 11:30; 21:18) and, with the apostles, in the decision of the
early church council (Acts 15). Elders were also appointed in the
churches established during the apostle Paul's first missionary
journey (Acts 14:23). Paul addressed the elders at Ephesus (Acts
20:17-35). Elders played an important role in church life through
their ministry to the sick (James 5:14,15). They were apparently the
teachers also in a local congregation. In addition to ministering to
the sick, their duties consisted of explaining the Scriptures and
teaching doctrine (1 Tim 5:17; 1 Peter 5:5).
(from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary)