Original Word: ἐπισκοπή
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: episkopé
Pronunciation: eh-pee-sko-PAY
Phonetic Spelling: (ep-is-kop-ay')
KJV: the office of a "bishop", bishoprick, visitation
NASB: visitation, office, office of overseer
Word Origin: [from G1980 (ἐπισκέπτομαι - To visit)]

1. inspection (for relief)
2. (by implication) superintendence

the office of a bishop.

From episkeptomai; inspection (for relief); by implication, superintendence; specially, the Christian "episcopate" -- the office of a "bishop", bishoprick, visitation.

see GREEK episkeptomai

1984 episkopḗ (a feminine noun, derived from 1909 /epí, "on, appropriately fitting," which intensifies 4648 /skopéō, "look intently") – properly, oversight that naturally goes on to provide the care and attention appropriate to the "personal visitation."

Word Origin
from episkeptomai
Definition
a visiting, an overseeing
NASB Translation
office (1), office of overseer (1), visitation (2).

STRONGS NT 1984: ἐπισκοπή

ἐπισκοπή, ἐπισκοπῆς, ἡ (ἐπισκοπέω), inspection, visitation (German Besichtigung);

a. properly: εἰς ἐπισκοπήν τοῦ παιδός, to visit the boy, Lucian, dial. deor. 20, 6; with this exception no example of the word in secular writings has yet been noted.

b. In biblical Greek, after the Hebrew פְּקֻדָּה, that act by which God looks into and searches out the ways, deeds, character, of men, in order to adjudge them their lot accordingly, whether joyous or sad; inspection, investigation, visitation (Vulg. usuallyvisitatio): so universally, ἐν ἐπισκοπή ψυχῶν, when he shall search the souls of men, i. e. in the time of divine judgment, Wis. 3:13; also ἐν ὥρα ἐπισκοπῆς, Sir. 18:20 (19); so perhaps ἐν ἡμέρα ἐπισκοπῆς, 1 Peter 2:12 (see below); in a good sense, of God's gracious care: τόν καιρόν τῆς ἐπισκοπῆς σου, i. e. τόν καιρόν ἐν ᾧ ἐπεσκέψατο σε ὁ Θεός, in which God showed himself gracious toward thee and offered thee salvation through Christ (see ἐπισκέπτομαι, b.), Luke 19:44; ἐν καιρῷ ἐπισκοπῆς, in the time of divine reward, 1 Peter 5:6 Lachmann; also, in the opinion of many commentators, 1 Peter 2:12 (others, associate this passage with Luke 19:44 above; cf. DeWette (edited by Brückner) or Huther at the passage); from the O. T. cf. Genesis 50:24; Job 34:9; Wis. 2:20 Wis. 3:7, etc. with a bad reference, of divine punishment: Exodus 3:16; Isaiah 10:3; Jeremiah 10:15; Wis. 14:11 Wis. 19:14 (15); (etc.; cf. Sophocles Lexicon, under the word).

c. after the analogy of the Hebrew פְּקֻדָּה (Numbers 4:16; 1 Chronicles 24:19 (here the Sept. ἐπίσκεψις), etc.), oversight i. e. overseership, office, charge; Vulg.episcopatus: Acts 1:20, from Psalm 108:8 (); specifically, the office of a bishop (the overseer or presiding officer of a Christian church): 1 Timothy 3:1, and in ecclesiastical writings

Overview of Meaning and Themes

Strong’s Greek 1984, ἐπισκοπή, threads together two primary ideas: (1) God’s decisive visitation to bless or judge, and (2) the human stewardship of pastoral oversight within the church. Whether describing the Lord’s coming to evaluate His people or the vocation of those who guard and guide the flock, the word invariably carries a sense of accountable watchfulness.

Divine Visitation in Salvation and Judgment

Luke 19:44 records Jesus’ lament over Jerusalem: “They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God.” Here ἐπισκοπή anchors the moment when God in Christ draws near, offering peace yet also exposing unbelief. A similar tension appears in 1 Peter 2:12: “Conduct yourselves with such honor among the Gentiles that…they will see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.” The apostle encourages blameless living so that, when the Lord again “visits,” former accusers will become worshipers. In both texts, ἐπισκοπή underscores that no encounter with God is neutral; His approach either redeems or judges.

Ecclesiastical Oversight and the Office of Bishop

Acts 1:20 applies Psalm 109:8 to Judas Iscariot: “May another take his ministry.” The noun rendered “ministry” is ἐπισκοπή, indicating that Judas’ replacement would assume a role of oversight among the Twelve. Paul later employs the same term when outlining qualifications for church leaders: “If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble task” (1 Timothy 3:1). The office is not merely administrative; it reflects God’s own shepherding character. Those who hold it must, therefore, mirror His integrity, vigilance, and sacrificial care.

Old Testament Roots

The Septuagint frequently uses ἐπισκοπή to translate the Hebrew פָּקַד (paqad), a verb signifying to visit, attend to, muster, or appoint (for example, Exodus 3:16; Jeremiah 27:22). Whether God “visits” to deliver Israel from Egypt or to discipline through exile, the concept always includes purposeful attention. This background enriches New Testament usage: divine visitation and pastoral oversight are two faces of the same covenantal attentiveness.

Christological Dimension

Immediately after urging honorable conduct, Peter reminds believers, “For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls” (1 Peter 2:25). Though a cognate noun (ἐπίσκοπος) appears here, the link is intentional. Jesus embodies the ultimate ἐπισκοπή—He visits, rescues, and continues to watch over His people. All earthly oversight derives its authority and pattern from Him.

Historical Development in the Early Church

By the close of the first century, the term ἐπισκοπή had become closely identified with the monarchical episcopate in many congregations, as reflected in writings such as Ignatius of Antioch. Yet the foundational New Testament idea remains functional rather than hierarchical: overseers are guardians charged to maintain doctrinal purity, protect the vulnerable, and model holy living, thereby participating in God’s ongoing visitation to His church.

Practical Ministry Application

1. Vigilance: Whether anticipating Christ’s return or safeguarding a local assembly, ἐπισκοπή demands alertness to spiritual danger.
2. Accountability: Divine visitation reminds every overseer that he, too, will be visited and assessed (Hebrews 13:17).
3. Compassionate Presence: Oversight is exercised not from a distance but through personal presence that reflects the Lord who “tabernacled among us.”
4. Hope-Filled Witness: Believers who live under God’s watchful eye bear witness so compelling that even opponents may glorify God in the day of visitation.

Theological Implications

The dual usage of ἐπισκοπή weaves together God’s sovereignty and human responsibility. The same God who visits His people in grace or judgment entrusts certain individuals to “visit” the flock on His behalf. Faithful oversight, therefore, is an act of participating in God’s redemptive surveillance—a stewardship that anticipates the final visitation when Christ will consummate His care and render His verdict.

επισκοπή επισκοπην επισκοπήν ἐπισκοπὴν επισκοπης επισκοπής ἐπισκοπῆς επισκόπων episkopen episkopēn episkopḕn episkopes episkopês episkopēs episkopē̂sInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts