Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Peter 5:3

"neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves ensamples to the flock." — 1 Peter 5:3 (ASV)

Neither as being lords. The marginal note says, overruling. The word used here (katakurieuw) is translated exercise dominion over in Matthew 20:25, exercise lordship over in Mark 10:42, and overcame in Acts 19:16. It does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament.

It properly refers to the kind of jurisdiction that civil rulers or magistrates exercise. This is an exercise of authority, as distinguished from the influence of reason, persuasion, and example. The latter pertains to ministers of religion; the former is forbidden to them.

Their dominion is not to be that of temporal lordship; it is to be that of love and truth. This command would prohibit all assumption of temporal power by ministers of religion, and all conferring of titles of nobility on those who are preachers of the gospel. It scarcely needs to be said that it has been very little regarded in the church.

Over God's heritage (Greek, twn klhrwn). The Vulgate has in cleris—that is, over the clergy. The Greek word here (klhrov—kleros) is the one from which the word clergy has been derived. Some have interpreted it here as referring to the clergy, meaning priests and deacons who are under the authority of a bishop. Such an interpretation, however, would hardly be adopted now.

The word properly means:

1. A lot, die, or anything used in determining chances.
2. A part or portion, such as is assigned by lot.
3. An office to which one is designated or appointed, by lot or otherwise.
4. In general, any possession or heritage (Acts 26:18; Colossians 1:12).

The meaning here is, "not lording it over the possessions or the heritage of God." The reference is undoubtedly to the church, as that which is peculiarly his property, his own in the world.

Whitby and others suppose that it refers to the possessions or property of the church. Doddridge explains it as "not assuming dominion over those who fall to your lot," supposing it to mean that they were not to domineer over the particular congregations committed by Providence to their care. However, the other interpretation is most in accordance with the usual meaning of the word.

But being ensamples to the flock. That is, examples. See Barnes on 1 Timothy 4:12.

Peter has drawn here with great beauty the appropriate character of ministers of the gospel, and described the spirit with which they should be actuated in the discharge of the duties of their office. But how different this is from the character of many who have claimed to be ministers of religion, and especially how different from that corrupt communion which professes in a special manner to recognize Peter as the head and the vicegerent of Christ. It is well remarked by Benson on this passage that "the church of Rome could not well have acted more directly contrary to this injunction of St. Peter's if she had studied to disobey it and to form herself upon a rule that should be the reverse of this."