elder, elders

Definition:

Elders are spiritually mature men who have responsibilities of spiritual and practical leadership among God's people.

The term "elder" came from the fact that elders were originally older men who, because of their age and experience, had greater wisdom.
In the Old Testament, the elders helped lead the Israelites in matters of social justice and the Law of Moses.
In the New Testament, Jewish elders continued to be leaders in their communities and also were judges for the people.
In the early Christian churches, Christian elders gave spiritual leadership to the local assemblies of believers.
Elders in these churches included young men who were spiritually mature.
This term could be translated as "older men" or "spiritually mature men leading the church."