Mark

Kay,

You need to understand ‘elder’ in conjunction with ‘bishop’ (see for example Titus 1) to see that ‘elder’ and ‘bishop’ were synonymous for the same function/office within the Church.

1Tim 3 is also very clear on the offices of elders and deacons. Considering the context to 1 Tim 2:9-15 the connection is easily made.

I understand your point though, since ‘elder’ in some contexts simply means ‘older people’ or ‘elderly’ as in 1 Tim 5 or Titus 2. It’s the context again that determines the correct interpretation (similar to deacon/servant). You can’t just say all uses only mean ‘older people’, nor can you say all mean ‘elder’ as in the office of!

By the way, no, i understand the priesthood of believers to include all believers, male/female, young/old in line with the reformation giants of Luther and Calvin.