The temptation is to load the term with our twenty-first century understanding of the term, be it in sociological or in ecclesiological terms. In Peter’s day, the term was widely used to designate older men (the Greek term literally means “older” and is masculine in form) who by virtue of their experience in the school of life were expected to give a measure of leadership in their community (without necessarily being ordained in any official sense of the word). This is also how the term was used in the Old Testament (Genesis 50:7; Exodus 3:16, Exodus 3:18, etc.). In Jesus’ day the Jews had their “elders” (Luke 7:3; Luke 20:1; Luke 22:52; Acts 4:5; Acts 6:12). Soon after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the early church also had older men in their midst who gave leadership in the church community (Acts 11:30; Acts 14:23; Acts 15:2). As Peter addresses his readers scattered throughout the districts of Asia Minor (1 Peter 1:1), he recognizes that they already have elders in their midst, older men from whom leadership is expected.