Divine Lexicon

Term

Presbyters/Elder

Also known as Presbyter

Terms for church leaders, often distinguished as ordained ministers (presbyters) and laypeople (elders) who assist in church government.

Filed underEcclesiology

Definition

The word elder, derived from the Old English, is synonymous with presbyter derived from the Greek. In contemporary usage, however, the two words tend to be distinguished, a presbyter being an ordained minister of word and sacraments and an elder being a layman set apart by ordination to assist the presbyter in his administration and government of the church.

Connections

Follow this entry through the Lexicon.

Synonym of
Related to

Sources

  1. 1.Alan Richardson and John Bowden The Westminster Dictionary of Christian Theology. (Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1983). 175Original citation: Richardson, Alan, and John Bowden. The Westminster Dictionary of Christian Theology. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1983, 175.

Last revised August 14, 2026