What is the role of
elders?
First, what is a
church?
In order to properly
understand the role of a church officer, we must first be clear in our minds as
to what is a church. A local church is normally defined as a local assembly of
those who profess faith and allegiance to Christ. Most often the Greek word,
ekklesia,
is used in reference to the local assembly. While the definition of the local
church is based upon our understanding of the universal church, the imperative
passages (like Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12 and 14, and Ephesians 4) about church
life usually refer to the local church.
·
1 Corinthians
·
2 Corinthians
11:8 I “robbed” other churches by accepting
their contributions so I could serve you at no cost.
Note: If we try to apply principles
like the inter-working of the members of the body as taught in 1 Cor. 12 to the universal church, we move away from the
intention of the author to focus on the interaction of members with each other
in the Christian community. Likewise, no structure or polity is given for the
universal church except the unifying influence of the apostles who planted the
local churches. There is also an example of a council of leaders from more than
one local church meeting to resolve differences in Acts 15. We cannot say what
the biblical pattern of extra-local church government was, since it is not
stated.
It is customary in many
theologies to construct a restrictive definition of what constitutes a local
church. Sometimes several conditions, such as the proper observation of the
sacraments, the presence of duly established clergy, a formal government, and
ministry to all ages, are given to be met before a group can be called a church.
You might want to question the motive for constructing such added conditions.
Some people take the
view that the local church is merely a convenient association of like-minded
believers who manage their affairs democratically with everyone having an equal
right to control the business of the church. However, that is not a biblical
concept.
·
Hebrews
Others take an even
weaker view and decline to be formally associated with any local church. They
are satisfied to attend services wherever it suits their fancy, to move around
and never commit themselves to any specific company of the Lord’s people. Such
people have no substantial view of the local church at all. But the Bible
clearly commands…
·
Hebrews 10:25
And let us not neglect our meeting together, as
some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the
day of his coming back again is drawing near.
There is another weak
and dangerous attitude that creeps back regularly among evangelicals. It seems
to stem from a lack of confidence in the power of the Holy Spirit working in the
midst of the local church and says that when churches gather into denominational
structures, their combined effectiveness is greater than their total
effectiveness if they had remained independent. It is then an easy step to
tolerate association and fellowship with ‘churches’ that are not faithful to
Scripture. However, Christ Is the only Head of the Church.
·
Ephesians 1:22-23 And God has put all
things under the authority of Christ, and he gave him this authority for the
benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is filled by Christ, who
fills everything everywhere with his presence.
·
Ephesians 5:22-24 For a husband is the head
of his wife as Christ is the head of his body, the church; he gave his
life to be her Savior. As the church submits to Christ, so you wives must
submit to your husbands in everything.
·
Colossians
God gave each church
the only manual of instruction they need – the Holy Scriptures. He made all the
rules, and they have been recorded in the Bible.
·
2 Tim. 3:16-17 All Scripture is
inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize
what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is
right. It is God’s way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every
good thing God wants us to do.
Jesus is now in
heaven. Therefore, the headquarters of the church must be in heaven. Jesus'
church has no earthly head, headquarters, or universal
officers.
·
Hebrews 8:1 Here is the main point: Our
High Priest sat down in the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right
hand.
·
Acts 1:9-11 It was not long after he
said this that he was taken up into the sky while they were watching, and he
disappeared into a cloud. As they were straining their eyes to see him, two
white-robed men suddenly stood there among them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why
are you standing here staring at the sky? Jesus has been taken away from you
into heaven. And someday, just as you saw him go, he will
return!”
·
Acts
Second,
is the office of elder necessary?
·
Acts
Note: Luke records that there were
several elders in each church who were appointed after a period of fasting and
prayer. They were “turned over to the care of the Lord” in what was apparently a
formal manner.
Note: Notice that there are
two distinct offices: elders and deacons. Take care to note that there were at least several of each in the church at
Note: Elders were not
randomly picked in a popularity vote. The choice was based largely on their
character.
·
Titus 1:5-9 I left you on the
Note: Again, there were a plurality
of elders in each church and the church was not considered complete until these
elders were chosen. Here again, we see that they were appointed because of their
character and deep devotion to Christ. Regardless of his other qualities, if a
man is arrogant, or quick-tempered, inhospitable or unable to encourage others
with right teaching – he is disqualified from being an elder in God’s church.
The elders oversee, or
shepherd, the local church. Since each church has its own elders and the Word of
God to govern them, each is sufficient to supervise its own work. Since the
eldership oversees the flock "among them," though advice and counsel may be
shared, no group of men has the right to oversee or to make decisions for more
than one local church. Each congregation should function independently, guided
by its own officers.
·
Acts
Note: Again we see a plurality of
elders leading the local church at
Note: Peter, an apostle of
Jesus Christ, was content to consider himself an elder
of the church. The elder is not characterized by his dogmatism, his
intractability and his bullying methods. He must care for the flock, willingly,
with a good attitude. He must not “lord it over the people” but exemplify Christ
who was a servant even to death on the cross. Humility and a servant’s heart are
the key qualities a church must seek in its elders.
The Old Testament origin
of the eldership
Elders appear throughout
the Bible, beginning with Genesis 50:7 and ending with Revelation 4:4, which
describes the twenty-four elders who surround the
throne of God.
The divinely inspired New
Testament is built on the divinely inspired Old Testament. A major reason why
most Christians do not see or understand church eldership as practiced in the
New Testament is that they do not know anything about the Old Testament elders.
The importance of right judgment on the position and functions of these Old
Testament elders cannot be overrated when discussing the nature of the analogous
office of presbyter in the New Testament.
Since government by a council of elders has been a
fundamental institution among the people of God all through biblical history, a
study of New Testament church eldership must begin with an examination of what
the Old Testament says about elders.
The existence of
the office of elders apparently preceded Moses because it was simply stated as a
matter of fact, without explanation. Moses was told to gather the elders of
·
Exodus 3:16
"Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say
to them, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and
Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, "I am indeed concerned about you and what has
been done to you in Egypt.
Moses continued to use
the elders and even delegated some of his authority to judge in certain minor
cases to them.
·
Exodus 18:13-27 It came about the next
day that Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood about Moses from
the morning until the evening. Now when Moses' father-in-law saw all that he was
doing for the people, he said, "What is this thing that you are doing for the
people? Why do you alone sit as judge and all the people stand about you from
morning until evening?" Moses said to his father-in-law, "Because the people
come to me to inquire of God. When they have a dispute, it comes to me, and I
judge between a man and his neighbor and make known the statutes of God and His
laws." Moses' father-in-law said to him, "The thing that you are doing is not
good. You will surely wear out, both yourself and these people who are with you,
for the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone. Now listen to me: I
will give you counsel, and God be with you. You be the people's representative before God, and you bring the
disputes to God, then teach them the statutes and the laws, and make known to
them the way in which they are to walk and the work they are to do. Furthermore,
you shall select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth,
those who hate dishonest gain; and you shall place these over them as leaders of
thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens. Let them judge the people at all
times; and let it be that every major dispute they will bring to you, but every
minor dispute they themselves will judge So it will be easier for you, and they
will bear the burden with you. If you do this thing and God so commands you,
then you will be able to endure, and all these people also will go to their
place in peace." So Moses listened to his father-in-law and did all that he
had said. Moses chose able men out of all
Note: The argument that elders can
only come from the ordained pastoral staff is made completely fatuous by this
passage. The elders were obviously chosen from among the general population. In
a congregation the size of
Elders continued to
function even after the times of the judges had passed and a monarchy had been
established. Saul, for instance, asked to be honored before the elders.
·
1 Samuel
Note: The eldership is not to be
taken lightly. Here even a king with the power of life and death feared the loss
of their respect.
They took part in the
temple procession of Solomon.
·
1 Kings 8:3
Then all the elders of
Note: All the elders can participate
in formal church functions. These can include serving communion, teaching within
the church [this one is in fact a requirement], and helping with weddings,
funerals, baptisms and (with training) counseling. To say that only the pastor
may do these things is to elevate the pastor to the Catholic idea of priesthood,
something completely contrary to Protestant, evangelical doctrine.
Apparently the elders
were considered the advisors of the king. The elders were appearing before and
counseling the rebellious son of David.
·
2 Samuel
Elders were involved
in the election of the king and in advising the king. If the king did not accept
their advice, he could anticipate trouble, much like Rehoboam did.
·
1 Kings 12:6-8, 13-16 King Rehoboam consulted with the elders who had served his father
Solomon while he was still alive, saying, "How do you counsel me to answer this
people?" Then they spoke to him, saying, "If you will be a servant to this
people today, and will serve them and grant them their petition, and speak good
words to them, then they will be your servants forever." But he forsook the
counsel of the elders which they had given him, and consulted with the young men
who grew up with him and served him…The king answered the people harshly, for he
forsook the advice of the elders which they had given him, and he spoke to them
according to the advice of the young men, saying, "My father made your yoke
heavy, but I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I
will discipline you with scorpions." So the king did not listen to the people;
for it was a turn of events from the LORD, that He
might establish His word, which the LORD spoke through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam
the son of Nebat. When all
The elders served as
local magistrates in bringing murderers to trial.
·
Deuteronomy
·
Joshua 20:4
He shall flee to one of these cities, and shall stand
at the entrance of the gate of the city and state his case in the hearing of the
elders of that city; and they shall take him into the city to them and give him
a place, so that he may dwell among them.
They dealt with
intra-family affairs, seeing to it that disobedient sons were punished.
·
Deuteronomy
They dealt with
interpersonal affairs, inflicting penalties for slander
·
Deuteronomy
They punished those
who were found to be in noncompliance with the Levirate marriage law.
·
Deuteronomy
25:7ff. But if the man does not desire to take his
brother's wife, then his brother's wife shall go up to the gate to the elders
and say, “My husband's brother refuses to establish a name for his brother in
Israel; he is not willing to perform the duty of a husband's brother to
me.”
In brief, they were
responsible for the enforcement of the Law.
·
Deuteronomy 27:1
Then Moses and the elders of
Note: If an arrogant pastor will
admit the Scriptural mandate for a council of elders to govern a local church by
Biblical precepts, yet wants to claim that he is first among equals – a Moses if
you will – he would have no Scriptural basis. Here Moses and the elders speak as
one.
The New Testament view of
the eldership
Although there are
important similarities between Old and New Testament elders, it would be a
mistake to consider the apostolic elder to be simply the Old Testament elder in
a new era. To try to define the New Testament elder in terms of the Old
Testament elder or the Jewish synagogue elder (of whom we know very little) is
to distort the New Testament’s teachings on eldership. The work and
qualifications of the Christian elder are more clearly defined than those of the
Old Testament elder.
It is imperative that
elders know Bible doctrine so that they will be adequately equipped to judge
doctrinal disputes and provide wise, godly counsel and leadership for the
congregation. Biblical elders must be people of the Word, characterized not only
by their godliness, but by their esteem and deep knowledge of the Holy
Scriptures. The biblical standard for pastoral elders is that they be able to
teach and defend sound Christian doctrine. Elders who are biblically inadequate
are actually a curse to the church, not the blessing God would have them
be.
In the New Testament
the word “presbuteros” is used in at least three different senses.
First, it was used to denote seniority.
·
Luke
·
Romans
Secondly, it was used
in reference to the Jewish elders of the synagogue, usually the scribes and
Pharisees, showing that the office of elder continued among the people of Israel
straight through to the birth of the church and beyond.
·
Matthew 15:2
Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For
they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.
·
Matthew 16:21
From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that
He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief
priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third
day.
·
Matthew 21:23
When He entered the temple, the chief priests and the
elders of the people came to Him while He was teaching, and said, "By what
authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority?"
Third, it was used to
denote certain men appointed to hold office in the Christian church, and to
exercise spiritual oversight of the flock entrusted to them. It may be inferred
that the churches generally had elders appointed over them.
·
Acts
·
Titus 1:5 For this reason I left you in
Note: That elders and bishops were
the same people is now almost universally admitted; in all New Testament
references, their functions are identical. The most probable explanation of the
difference of names is that elder refers mainly to the person and bishop to the
office; the name elder emphasizes what he is, while bishop (overseer) emphasized
what the elder or presbyter does.
The role of Elders in the
A particular church,
gathered and properly organized, consists of office-bearers and members. Note
the clear distinction between the eldership and the deaconate.
·
Philippians 1:1
Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, to
all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in
Note: Unfortunately many churches
simply overlook these passages or stubbornly refuse to acknowledge and obey them
because “that’s the way we’ve always done it!” Of course, they are ignoring the
fact that the structure of the their church government
is barely over a century old. Nevertheless, even if its origins were shrouded in
the mists of time – they are contrary to the divinely inspired Scriptures! End
of conversation.
Under the title of
bishops, Paul refers to the spiritual leaders who take care of the advance and
spiritual health of the church, while the deacons "serve tables." They were more
than mere waiters, however, since they were responsible for the equitable
distribution of the church’s finances. Thus, deacons are set apart to cater for
the temporal affairs of the church, according to the leadership and direction of
the elders.
·
1 Timothy 3:8-12 Deacons likewise must
be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of
sordid gain, but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are
beyond reproach. Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but
temperate, faithful in all things. Deacons must be husbands of only one wife,
and good managers of their children and their own households.
Note: Similarly to the qualifications
of the eldership, the deaconate is chosen primarily based on their character
rather than their skills, temperaments or spiritual gifts. Hopefully, the church
will be wise enough to select a deaconate or an eldership with a wide variety of
temperaments and spiritual gifts so that there may be balance and a wide range
of wisdom brought to bear on the decisions made on the church’s behalf.
Note: Though their primary
purpose was to make sure that everyone got fed and that the money was fairly
distributed, and probably BECAUSE of that function – the deacons needed to be
“full of the Spirit and of wisdom.”
·
Acts
Note: However, the elders still had a
hand in the oversight of even the financial affairs. There was not a clear
division, a balance between “spiritual” elders and “material” deacons. The
elders were still in charge of the overall financial principles. The actual day
to day work, was delegated to the deaconate.
A presbyter (which is
synonymous with elder) was a term already established and well-known among the
Jews. The idea of maturity and experience is inherent in the term. It describes
the character, the degree of emotional and spiritual maturity rather than the
function of the man.
·
Acts 15:2,4,6,22-23 And when Paul and
Barnabas had great dissension and debate with them, the brethren determined that
Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the
apostles and elders concerning this issue…When they arrived at Jerusalem, they
were received by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported
all that God had done with them…The apostles and the elders came together to
look into this matter…Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with
the whole church, to choose men from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and
Barnabas--Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading
men among the brethren, and they sent this letter by them, "The apostles and the
brethren who are elders, to the brethren in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia who
are from the Gentiles, greetings.”
·
Acts 16:4 Now while they were passing through the cities, they were
delivering the decrees which had been decided upon by the apostles and
elders who were in
Note: They were “delivering the
decrees.” This is not something many churches are comfortable with. But the
eldership worked on an equal footing with the Apostolate in determining what was
correct doctrine and practice in the church.
·
1 Timothy
Note: It does not say that an
accusation cannot be held against an elder – merely that it not be undertaken
lightly. An elder, in dealing daily with the populace, is much more likely to be
falsely accused by those who don’t like his biblical advice. Therefore, we do
not allow the accusations of a single person to be held against an elder until
there is direct, incontrovertible evidence or at least several direct witnesses
with which to confront him. Further on in this article, you will find some
discussion of how and when to discipline a church leader.
·
2 John 1:1 The elder to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love
in truth; and not only I, but also all who know the
truth,
·
3 John 1 The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in
truth.
Note: Here again, just as Peter did,
the beloved apostle John was content to call himself an elder of the
The episkopos, meaning overseer, is
mentioned in 1 Timothy 3:1-2. Unfortunately, due to a
long sad history of abuse to this office, the term "bishop", by which episkopos is
generally translated, has come to connote a high ecclesiastical person with a
diocese. This is absolutely not what we see in Scripture. In the Word, we see an
overseer associated with a single church. The overseer, as the term specifies,
is in charge to take care of and protect the church by leading and guiding it
towards holiness, righteousness and godly wisdom. The idea of godly authority
and administration is also present.
The English term
“pastor” (derived from the Latin "pastore" meaning shepherd) is found as “poimen”
(shepherd) in the Scriptures and the word suggests tenderness towards and
interest in the flock.
·
Ephesians
·
John
Note: Sometimes pastors get full of
themselves and get the silly notion that everyone
should bow down to their will – that they rule the church in the same way that
worldly CEOs may rule their corporations. But this smacks a little too much of
Jim Jones and David Koresh for me. Jesus clearly
taught that the pastor’s role was to be a servant – one who would lay down his
life for his sheep. It doesn’t preclude him from being authoritative. It simply
means that his attitude can disqualify him.
The pastor (who is one
of the elders) should not “lord it over” the congregation. Instead of being
belligerent and not allowing anyone else to speak, he should instead emulate the
apostle James who listened quietly to the various views and then summarized what
seemed to be the body’s consensus as to what was the mind of the
Lord.
·
Acts
There are times when a
person should be silenced in the church, but it is only when they are teaching
false doctrine and leading people from the Scriptures, not when they choose to
disagree with the elders.
·
Proverbs
10:31-32 The mouth of the righteous flows with wisdom, but the perverted
tongue will be cut out.
·
Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive
through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men,
according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to
Christ.
·
1
Peter 2:1 (NLT) So get rid of all malicious behavior and
deceit. Don't just pretend to be good! Be done with hypocrisy and jealousy and
backstabbing.
The pastor’s ministry is to reflect that of his own Lord, the Great and
Good Shepherd of the sheep.
·
1 Peter
·
Hebrews
There is a higher
standard for teachers than for the rest of the congregation. They, more than
anyone, should focus on controlling their tongues and
tempers.
We regularly see New
Testament churches having several leaders, so it must have been a normal state
for them. Notice that in the following references elders or overseers or leaders
are always plural.
·
Philippians 1:1
Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, to
all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in
·
Acts
·
1 Thessalonians
5:12ff But we request of you, brethren, that you
appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the
Lord and give you instruction,
·
Hebrews
·
James
It can be easily
demonstrated that there is no difference between presbyter and bishop. For
instance in Acts 20, Luke narrates how Paul called for the elders (presbuterous,
v.17) of the Ephesian church. In addressing them,
then, he told them that the Holy Spirit had ordained them as bishops (overseers)
and that they were meant to teach the flock and pastor it. They together and
corporately were responsible for the flock ("take heed to yourselves and to all
the flock, poimnio, v.28). Evidently as
elders they had a flock; but it goes without saying that pastors (shepherds)
have flocks. They were placed within the flock as bishops (episkopous, v.28). Acts 20 cannot
easily be refuted by those who hold to a three-fold ministry in the church,
especially when the Greek interplay of nouns (referring to the same group of
men) and verbs (referring to the same work done by the same
men) is considered.
·
Acts
20
The same can be
concluded from 1 Peter 5:1-2, where the apostle exhorts the elders, yet tells
them to shepherd or pastor the flock under their care! Only with sophistry can
such passages be brushed aside or their explicit teachings
refuted.
A bishop is an elder
and an elder is a bishop. Only by strained exegesis can one debate whether an
elder is properly and strictly a bishop. The natural conclusion of the passage
is evident.
·
Titus 1:5,7 For this reason I left
you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in
every city as I directed you, namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband
of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or
rebellion. For the overseer must be above reproach as God's steward, not
self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond
of sordid gain.
Elders, pastors and
bishops are all likewise commissioned to teach.
·
Elders: 1
Timothy 5:17 The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of
double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and
teaching.
Note: Though some of them, it is
observed, may actually do so better than others.
·
Bishops: 1
Timothy 3:2 An overseer, then, must be above
reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable,
able to teach,
·
Pastors:
Ephesians 4:11ff. And He gave some as apostles, and
some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and
teachers,
Do not be surprised by
doctrinal controversy. The first Christians struggled over doctrinal issues.
Even the apostles’ presence did not prevent theological conflict. As we see in
Acts 15, it is the elders’ responsibility to deal with doctrinal controversy.
Elders must be able to judge opposing theological views, weigh arguments,
discern error, deal with potentially explosive situations, arbitrate, and make
sound, expeditious decisions.
·
Acts 15:1-2
Some men came down from
Note: Therefore, a church that is
without this vital ministry is in serious trouble. The deaconate, with their
focus on the material side of the church is not necessarily qualified to make
the theological determinations that are necessary for the day to day running of
a healthy church. A church needs a council of men and women who make this their
focus, their calling, their great love. It takes a great deal of time,
determination and self-discipline to be an effective elder. A church without
these kind of people is bound to crash and burn sooner
or later. Why do you think there are so many splits in some
denominations?
In order to qualify as
a pastoral elder, God requires that the elder be able to teach and exhort “in
sound doctrine” and refute false doctrine. An elder who does not know the
doctrines of Scripture is as useful as a lifeguard who does not know how to
swim. P.T. Forsyth was right on target when he wrote, “The real strength of the
Church is not the amount of its work but the quality of its faith. One man who
truly knows his Bible is worth more to the Church’s real strength than a crowd
of workers who do not.”
·
Titus 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the
teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute
those who contradict.
Elders should also be
qualified to counsel individuals, couples, families, businesses and churches.
The apostles were
content to describe their ministry as elders.
·
1 Peter 5:1 Therefore,
I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the
sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be
revealed
·
2 John 1:1 The elder to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love
in truth; and not only I, but also all who know the
truth,
·
3 John 1 The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in
truth.
Note: Now if the elder is one rung
lower than the pastor, does not this imply that the apostles placed themselves
lower than the pastors? That just doesn’t make sense.
Here are some of the
qualifications of an elder.
1 Timothy 3:2-7: Above reproach
Having one spouse
Temperate (balanced)
Prudent (sensible)
Respectable (virtuous)
Hospitable
Able to teach
Not an addict
Not pugnacious (not belligerent)
Gentle (forbearing)
Peaceable (not contentious) Free
from the love of money
Manages household well
Not a new convert
Has a good reputation
Titus 1:6-9:
Above reproach
Having one spouse
Having children who believe
Not self-willed
Not quick-tempered
Not an addict
Not pugnacious
Not greedy
Hospitable
Lover of what is good
Sensible (prudent)
Just (righteous conduct, law-abiding)
Devout (holy)
Self-controlled
Holds fast the faithful Word
1 Peter 5:1-3: A volunteer
Not greedy
Eager (excited, positive)
Humble
Serves as an example
According to the passages
that we have considered in the Old Testament that described their role as judges
and governors, they must also be:
Knowledgeable of the Scriptures
Understand the Scriptures enough to know how to apply
them.
Wise
Decisive
Able to counsel
Able to make judgment calls
Fearless of confrontation
Willing to judge even their own kin
impartially