Steward

Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament

‘Steward’ in English may be taken to represent two Greek words, ἐπίτροπος and οἰκονόμος, the former being rather steward of an estate (as in  Matthew 20:8 and  Luke 8:3; see W. A. Becker, Charicles, Eng. translation, London, 1895, p. 363), and the latter of a household. ἐπίτροπος, however, occurs only once in the NT outside the Gospels, and there it is joined with οἰκονόμος: ὁ κληρονόμος [while still νήπιος, ‘an infant’] ὑπὸ ἐπιτρόπους ἐστὶ καὶ οἰκονόμους (‘sub tutoribus et actoribus’ [Vulg.[Note: Vulgate.]]  Galatians 4:2); this Lightfoot in his commentary translates ‘under controllers of his person and property,’ taking ἐπιτρόπους as the boy’s legal representatives (so Vulg.[Note: Vulgate.]) and οἰκονόμους as stewards or bailiffs to manage either his household or his property. No doubt οἰκονόμος was often used as a general term for one who acted in either capacity.

The first instance we adduce is that of a public official: ἀσπάζεται ὑμᾶς Ἔραστος ὁ οἰκονόμος τῆς πόλεως,  Romans 16:23 (‘arcarius civitatis’ [Vulg.[Note: Vulgate.]]). The city here is apparently Corinth, where St. Paul was at the time of writing (the Erastus mentioned in  Acts 19:22 as a messenger of the Apostle from Asia to Macedonia can hardly be the same person; and even the one mentioned in  2 Timothy 4:20 as still at Corinth is perhaps more likely to be the same as the latter than the former). The office held by Erastus was doubtless that of city treasurer or something similar; cf.  1 Esdras 4:47;  1 Esdras 4:49, where the same title occurs. All the other instances of οἰκονόμος and οἰκονομία are in the Epistles and occur by way of comparison or simile.

(1) General, with further description: εἰ γὰρ ἑκὼν τοῦτο πράσσω (= εὐαγγελίζομαι), μισθὸν ἔχω· εἰ δὲ ἄκων, οἰκονομίαν πεπίστευμαι (‘I have to bear in mind that I am charged with a stewardship and must carry it out’) ( 1 Corinthians 9:17). In  1 Corinthians 4:2, ζητεῖται ἐν τοῖς οἰκονόμοις ἵνα πιστός τις εὑρεθῇ, the faithfulness of stewards in general is spoken of; but the phrase follows directly upon a special kind of stewardship (οἰκονόμους μυστηρίων θεοῦ).

(2) Special: stewards of God, acting for Him: δεῖ γὰρ τὸν ἐπίσκοπον ἀνέγκλητον εἶναι ὡς θεοῦ οἰκονόμον,  Titus 1:7; διάκονος κατὰ τὴν οἰκονομίαν τοῦ θεοῦ τὴν δοθεῖσάν μοι εἰς ὑμᾶς  Colossians 1:25; ἐκζητήσεις … μᾶλλον ἢ οἰκονομίαν θεοῦ τὴν ἐν πίστει,  1 Timothy 1:4 (here the sphere in which, or rather the method by which, stewardship is rightly exercised is added [sc. by faith]).

(3) Stewards with the matter of stewardship described [sc. of grace, of mystery, or of mysteries): ἕκαστος καθὼς ἔλαβεν χάρισμα, εἰς ἑαυτοὺς αὐτὸ διακονοῦντες ὡς καλοἱ οἰκονόμοι ποικίλης χάριτος θεοῦ,  1 Peter 4:10; εἴ γε ἠκούσατε τὴν οἰκονομίαν τῆς χάριτος τοῦ θεοῦ τῆς δοθείσης μοι εἰς ὑμᾶς,  Ephesians 3:2; οὕτως ἡμᾶς λογιζέσθω ἄνθρωπος ὡς ὑπηρέτας Χριστοῦ καὶ οἰκονόμους μυστηρίων θειῦ,  1 Corinthians 4:1; τίς ἡ οἰκονομία (v.l.[Note: .l. varia lectio, variant reading.], κοινωνία) τοῦ μυστηρίου τοῦ ἀποκεκρυμμένου ἀπὸ τῶν αἰώνων ἐν τῷ θεῷ  Ephesians 3:9.

(4) One very curious extension of the use of the word occurs in  Ephesians 1:10, εἰς οἰκονομίαν τοῦ πληρώματος τῶν καιρῶν, which is well paraphrased and explained by W. Alexander (Speaker’s Commentary, London, 1881, in loc.): ‘The dispensation is the Divine arrangement of His household, or plan of government, which was to be carried out when the full time had come, which time had now arrived.’ Here the idea of stewardship almost disappears, as it is the Master’s own management that is referred to.

C. L. Feltce.

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

Steward . This term is found six times in AV [Note: Authorized Version.] of OT. It is applied to Eliezer in   Genesis 15:2 , where RV [Note: Revised Version.] rightly tr. [Note: translate or translation.] ‘he that shall he possessor of my house.’ In   Genesis 43:19;   Genesis 44:1-4 Joseph’s ‘steward’ (AV [Note: Authorized Version.] and RV [Note: Revised Version.] ) is lit. ‘he who was over his house’ (cf.   Genesis 43:16 ,   1 Kings 16:19 in RV [Note: Revised Version.] ). In   1 Chronicles 28:1 AV [Note: Authorized Version.] ‘stewards’ is tr. [Note: translate or translation.] of Heb. sârîm (lit. ‘princes,’ RV [Note: Revised Version.] ‘rulers’). For the ‘steward’ of   Daniel 1:11;   Daniel 1:18 (RV [Note: Revised Version.] ), see Melzar.

The NT terms are (1) epitropos , ‘steward’ in   Matthew 20:8 ,   Luke 8:3; also translated in   Galatians 4:2 AV [Note: Authorized Version.] ‘tutors,’ RV [Note: Revised Version.] ‘guardians.’ (2) oikonomos , the usual term, found both literally and metaphorically, as is also the cognate noun oikonomia ‘ stewardship .’ The latter is used literally in   Luke 16:2;   Luke 16:8;   Luke 16:4 , and metaphorically in   1 Corinthians 9:17 ,   Ephesians 3:2 ,   Colossians 1:25 ,   1 Timothy 1:4 [in last three ‘dispensation,’ RVm [Note: Revised Version margin.] ‘stewardship’].

W. F. Boyd.

Bridgeway Bible Dictionary

In New Testament times the word ‘steward’ was usually used of the person appointed to look after a master’s household or business. This position of responsibility meant that on the one hand stewards had control over the servants under them, but on the other they were answerable to the master for the way they carried out their responsibilities. It was essential, therefore, that stewards be trustworthy ( Luke 12:42;  Luke 16:1-2;  1 Corinthians 4:2; cf.  Genesis 15:2; Genesis 24).

Christians are God’s stewards, appointed by him to look after his interests in the world. This applies to their responsibilities in looking after the material things God has given them, and to their responsibilities in preaching the gospel and caring for God’s people. They are answerable to God for the way they carry out these responsibilities ( Genesis 1:28-30;  1 Corinthians 4:1-5;  1 Corinthians 9:17;  Colossians 1:25;  1 Thessalonians 2:4;  2 Timothy 1:14;  2 Timothy 2:15;  1 Peter 4:10). (See also Giving ; Servant ; WORK.)

Webster's Dictionary

(1): ( v. t.) To manage as a steward.

(2): ( n.) A man employed in a large family, or on a large estate, to manage the domestic concerns, supervise other servants, collect the rents or income, keep accounts, and the like.

(3): ( n.) A person employed in a hotel, or a club, or on board a ship, to provide for the table, superintend the culinary affairs, etc. In naval vessels, the captain's steward, wardroom steward, steerage steward, warrant officers steward, etc., are petty officers who provide for the messes under their charge.

(4): ( n.) A fiscal agent of certain bodies; as, a steward in a Methodist church.

(5): ( n.) In some colleges, an officer who provides food for the students and superintends the kitchen; also, an officer who attends to the accounts of the students.

(6): ( n.) In Scotland, a magistrate appointed by the crown to exercise jurisdiction over royal lands.

King James Dictionary

STEWARD, n. G., a room. The steward was then originally a chamberlain or a butler.

1. A man employed in great families to manage the domestic concerns, superintend the other servants, collect the rents or income, keep the accounts, &c. See  Genesis 15:2,43:19 . 2. An officer of state as lord high steward steward of the household, &c. 3. In colleges, an officer who provides food for the students and superintends the concerns of the kitchen. 4. In a ship of war, an officer who is appointed by the purser to distribute provisions to the officers and crew. In other ships, a man who superintends the provisions and liquors, and supplies the table. 5. In Scripture and theology, a minister of Christ, whose duty is to dispense the provisions of the gospel, to preach its doctrines and administer its ordinances.

It is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.  1 Corinthians 4 .

STEWARD, To manage as a steward. Not in use.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

stū´ẽrd ( בּית על אישׁ , 'ı̄sh ‛al bayith (  Genesis 43:16 ,  Genesis 43:19;  Genesis 44:1;  1 Kings 16:9 ), המּלצר , ha - melcar ( Daniel 1:11 ), הסּכן , ha - ṣōkhēn ( Isaiah 22:15 )):

1. Old Testament Usage:

In the King James Version the word "steward" is found in  Genesis 15:2;  1 Chronicles 28:1 , in addition to the above. The American Standard Revised Version renders  Genesis 15:2 as "possessor," and   1 Chronicles 28:1 "rulers."

The phrase ben - mesheḳ in   Genesis 15:2 is best rendered "son of acquisition," hence, "heir." But this is disputed. Skinner in the ICC on Gen regards the text as hopelessly corrupt, and offers no solution of the difficulty. In the other passages, the phrase 'ı̄sh ‛al bayith is conveniently translated "steward," though literally it is "man over the house." The word ha - melcar in  Daniel 1:11 is translated in the King James Version as a proper noun. This is certainly a mistake. The margin gives "the steward," and this is followed in the Revised Version (British and American). A better rendering perhaps would be "overseer," as this man seemed to have the superintendence of the training and feeding of the young men until they were fitted to enter the king's service. He was thus rather a steward of persons than of property (see Melzar ). In  Isaiah 22:15 Shebna is described in the text as "treasurer," but in the margin as "steward," and seems to combine the ideas in both the words "treasurer" and "steward." Shebna was thus one of the highest officials, having charge of the city's funds, and of administering them for the city's benefit.

Though the word for "steward" occurs but once in that sense, the idea is one familiar to the Old Testament. Eliezer of Damascus was Abraham's slave and trusted steward. Heseems to have had the oversight of all his affairs and was entrusted with the important duty of getting a wife for Isaac. He apparently had charge over the family of his master as well as his property. Whether Isaac had such a steward or not is nowhere stated, but it is practically certain that he had. Jacob seems to have been Laban's steward for a time, as he apparently had full charge of the flocks and herds of his master. Joseph was practically Potiphar's steward, and when he became Pharaoh's chief minister, he himself had a steward over his own house ( Genesis 39:4 ,  Genesis 39:5;  Genesis 44:1 ,  Genesis 44:4 ). The king Elah in his brief reign of two years had a steward in charge of his household ( 1 Kings 16:9 ). The same was doubtless true of all the kings, and it may be safely inferred that every household of distinction or of sufficient wealth had a steward in charge. The functions of this officer seem at times to have included the care of the children or minors, as well as of the property. Sometimes he was a slave, sometimes a freedman.

2. In the New Testament:

ἐπίτροπος , epı́tropos , οἰκονόμος , oikonómos . These two terms denote similar positions. The exact difference cannot be clearly defined, as they are sometimes almost synonymous. The two are found together in   Galatians 4:2 . Some scholars say they are used synonymously, others that the first word is a more general term including the latter. Lightfoot and Ellicott think that the former refers rather to the guardianship of persons, the child's legal representative, while the latter word refers to the head servant appointed to manage the household or property (compare 2 Macc 11:1; 13:2). There would, however, not be any such hard-and-fast line between their respective duties; these might vary with every master, or might be combined in one individual.

(1) In the Gospels.

The idea seems to have been perfectly familiar to the people in Christ's day. Every household of distinction seems to have had a steward in charge, Herod's steward was named Chuzas, and his wife, Joanna, followed and ministered to Jesus ( Luke 8:3 ). The word epitropos used here is held by some scholars to imply that he had charge of the education of Herod's children. This is very probable but not certain. In the parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard, it is the steward who pays the laborers at the close of the day ( Matthew 20:8 ). The parable of the Unjust Steward best illustrates the practice. This steward was a freeman, had full charge of his master's affairs and could use them to his own advantage if he chose, was fully accountable to his master and had to render an account when called upon. If unfaithful he was usually discharged at once ( Luke 16:1-13 ). The parables of the Minae or Pounds (Lk 19:12-27), the Talents (Mt 25:14-30), and the Wicked Husbandmen ( Matthew 21:33-46 ) teach similar truths. In His warning to His disciples Jesus seems to imply that they were to act as stewards in His absence ( Luke 12:42 ). According to this passage a steward's task was to manage all the affairs of his master, attend to receipts and expenditures, and portion out to each one of the household what should come to him. The disciples were left thus in charge of His gospel and were to use this gift to the best advantage in behalf of others until His return. In  John 2:8 the term "ruler" is given in the margin as "steward." The one referred to here was really director of the feast rather than steward, though in a sense charged with the responsibility of conducting it. Many stewards were no doubt slaves, as is implied in   Matthew 24:45 , while others were freedmen (Lk 16:1-21).

(2) In the Epistles.

The application of this term is largely confined to the ministry of the gospel. Paul and his fellow-laborers regarded themselves as stewards of the mysteries of God ( 1 Corinthians 4:1 ,  1 Corinthians 4:2 ). The idea is that he take scrupulous care of that which was entrusted to him, and give it out to others faithfully and as directed by his master Jesus Christ. A bishop or overseer is to be as God's steward ( Titus 1:7 ). Peter considered himself and all other Christians as "stewards of the manifold grace of God" ( 1 Peter 4:10 ). The prevalence of the custom of having guardians and stewards over children in their minority is shown in  Galatians 4:2 . The difference in meaning of the two words used here is stated above. In  Romans 16:23 Erastus is called the oikonomos of the city. This is best translated "treasurer." Erastus was thus an influential member of the community of Corinth and evidently a faithful Christian.

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

( שִׂר , Sar, usually rendered "prince; " Ἐπίτροπος , Οἰκονόμος ), one who manages the affairs or superintends these household of another, as Eliezer of Damascus did that of Abraham ( Genesis 15:2). Great confidence was reposed in those who held such an office, and hence Paul describes Christian ministers as the stewards of God over his Church and family ( Titus 1:7). Believers also are described as stewards of God's gifts and graces, to dispense the benefits of them to the world ( 1 Peter 4:10). Our Lord frequently uses the responsibilities belonging to the office of a steward for the purpose of illustrating his reasoning. In the parable of the unjust steward, who defrauds his master by collusion with the debtors (Luke 16), the illustration is confined to the policy of the conduct pursued, and no inference can be drawn respecting its moral propriety. (On the proverbial dishonesty of modern Oriental Wakkils Or agents of this kind, see Thomson, Land And Book, 1 , 517 sq.) The exhortation which follows is merely advice to manage worldly goods with such liberality and generosity as will promote the cause of true piety, Christian charity, and enlightened benevolence, and not to exercise the rights of property too harshly. See the monographs on this passage cited by Danz, W Ö Rterb. s.v. "Lucas," Nos. 76-93.