denotes (a) "to be elder or eldest, prior in birth or age;" (b) "to be an ambassador," 2 Corinthians 5:20; Ephesians 6:20; for Philemon 1:9 see under AGED. There is a suggestion that to be an "ambassador" for Christ involves the experience suggested by the word "elder." Elder men were chosen as "ambassadors."
primarily, "age, eldership, rank," hence, "an embassy or ambassage," is used in Luke 14:32; in 19:14, RV, "ambassage," for AV, "message."