The Greek noun epitropos means a steward, manager, guardian, or trustee — one entrusted with the management of another's property or the care of a minor. It appears in both the Gospels and Paul's letters.
The epitropos is a key figure in Jesus' parables about faithful service. In Galatians 4:2, Paul uses it for a child's guardian before coming of age: 'the heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father.' This metaphor illuminates Israel's relationship to the Mosaic law — supervised, managed, waiting for full inheritance in Christ. The epitropos is accountable: he manages what belongs to another. This is the heart of Christian stewardship — 'each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace' (1 Peter 4:10). Every believer is an epitropos, managing not their own resources but God's, accountable to the divine Master.