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The Christian Prince, in order that he might be permitted to organize the affairs of the church, found it necessary even then to assume the title of bishop The word "bishop" comes from the Greek episkopos, meaning "overseer." The author is arguing that a King is the ultimate overseer of his realm.. And lest the bishops themselves take offense at this—as they, given the great growth of the Papacy, already believed that beyond the ministry of sacred rites, the authority over sacred matters original: "imperium sacrorum" belonged to them—it had to be added that he was a bishop at least of those things conducted outside the church, while they were bishops of those things inside the church.

This saying can indeed be explained in a way that is true; for the Prince is a "Bishop" in the grammatical sense of the word, possessing supreme oversight over the entire commonwealth, and even over the church, insofar as the church exists within the commonwealth.

He is a Bishop outside the church, for inside the church he is a listener The term "listener" (auditor) refers to a member of the congregation or a layman who receives instruction. like other Christians, and the means of grace Refers to the sacraments and the preaching of the Word. are applied to him; however, outside the church, he is the Prince and a Bishop with the power of command. Conversely, the bishops are inside the church, having oversight over their listeners, so that they may perform their ministry as the need arises among them.

Because Constantine Constantine the Great (r. 306–337 AD), the first Roman Emperor to convert to Christianity, famously called himself "a bishop of those outside the church." called himself a "Bishop"—of the same kind as the ministers of the church regarding sacred rites—and also a "common bishop of all appointed by God," and "one among the bishops," and because the care of sacred things was called "episcopal concern," it clearly appears that he [claimed] the authority over sacred matters by a true and due title...