Abstract: Repeatedly in his preaching Augustine uses the language of teaching and learning. One such image is that the bishop is a fellow-student ( condiscipulus ) along with his audience. To unpack the meaning of this term, this article starts by examining the use of the word condiscipulus in the classical Roman context, especially its use in the educational work of Quintilian's Institutio oratoria . In Roman schools, condiscipuli formed close bonds as equals, but some were also set apart in order to assist in the instruction of others. Thus, the term condiscipulus is flexible enough to indicate both equality and distinction among fellow-students. Therefore, when Augustine refers to his audience as condiscipuli , he indicates the common Christian bond between the bishop and his people, while also preserving the way in which the bishop serves as an instructor set before the people. Augustine's use of the word has ecclesiological implications. Augustine's description of the bishop as condiscipulus is consistent with his broader theology of the episcopacy, which stresses that a bishop is both the one in charge but also still a member of the Christian flock.
Brendan Augustine Baran (Sat,) studied this question.