Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Peter 5

The “elders” (GK 4565) are the leaders of the local congregations. The institution of a group of older and wiser men providing direction and rule goes back to the early days of Israel as a people. This was done both nationally and locally. Thus there were “elders” of the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem as well as “elders” of local synagogues. The institution of elder-ship was adopted by the Jerusalem church (Acts 11:30; Acts 21:18), and Paul and Barnabas applied it to the local congregations they founded on their missionary journeys (Acts 14:23; 1 Timothy 3:1–7; Tit l:5ff.). Peter, therefore, addresses the elders because of their vital role in the life of the congregation.

In the Greek, this verse begins with “therefore.” Because of suffering and persecution, the need of pastoral leadership was important for the local churches. The early church utilized more people than the church today does (cf. Ephesians 4:12) and so put spiritual leadership in the hands of a plurality.

The basis of Peter’s exhortation to the elders is threefold: (1) He is their fellow elder. In Jn 21:15–19, Jesus charged Peter with the care of his sheep. (2) He is a witness (GK 3459) of Christ’s sufferings. It is possible Peter is referring here to the sufferings of Jesus that he had seen, though the stress is on the testimony (or witness) he gives to those sufferings (cf. Lk 24:45-48; Acts 1:8). (3) He is a sharer of the coming glory. It is notable that Peter does not issue commands as an apostle (much less as a “pope”) but speaks as a fellow elder (cf. also John in 2Jn 1; 3Jn 1).

Peter’s instruction is to “be shepherds of God’s flock [GK 4480].” The comparison of God’s people to a flock of sheep and the Lord to a shepherd is prominent in Scripture (see, for example, Genesis 48:15; Pss 23; 100:3; Isaiah 53:6–7). The verb “to shepherd” (GK 4477) occurs in Christ’s command to Peter and in Paul’s charge to the Ephesian elders (Acts 20:28). Its meaning embraces protecting, leading, guiding, feeding, etc. Peter reminds the elders that the flock is God’s and that they are responsible for its loving care. “Serving as overseers” (GK 2174) reveals the interchangeability of the terms “bishop” (“overseer”) and “elder” (see comment on Tit 1:7). The latter denotes the dignity of the office; the former denotes its function—“to oversee.” Peter’s exhortation to the elders to be shepherds is followed by three contrasting statements that tell how this responsibility should be carried out and how not carried out. The positive statements are “serving as overseers... because you are willing... eager to serve.” These words remind us of what Paul wrote to Timothy in 1 Timothy 3:1. Regarding the negative statements, (1) since the responsibilities of the office of elder are great and since elders will be required to give account of their work (Hebrews 13:17), no one should be forced into this position (“not because you must”). God will work in their lives and make them willing to do his will. The motivation of elders should be divine, not human. (2) Nor should the motivation be financial, though elders were evidently paid in the early church and handled the finances of congregations (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:7–11; 1 Timothy 5:17). Not money but enthusiasm and zeal for God and his work must motivate elders. (3) They are not to be “lords” over “those entrusted to” them. Probably in each congregation, individual elders had portions of the congregation for which they were particularly responsible. Elders should endeavor to be patterns for Christ’s sheep.

Peter’s instruction is to “be shepherds of God’s flock [GK 4480].” The comparison of God’s people to a flock of sheep and the Lord to a shepherd is prominent in Scripture (see, for example, Genesis 48:15; Pss 23; 100:3; Isaiah 53:6–7). The verb “to shepherd” (GK 4477) occurs in Christ’s command to Peter and in Paul’s charge to the Ephesian elders (Acts 20:28). Its meaning embraces protecting, leading, guiding, feeding, etc. Peter reminds the elders that the flock is God’s and that they are responsible for its loving care. “Serving as overseers” (GK 2174) reveals the interchangeability of the terms “bishop” (“overseer”) and “elder” (see comment on Tit 1:7). The latter denotes the dignity of the office; the former denotes its function—“to oversee.” Peter’s exhortation to the elders to be shepherds is followed by three contrasting statements that tell how this responsibility should be carried out and how not carried out. The positive statements are “serving as overseers... because you are willing... eager to serve.” These words remind us of what Paul wrote to Timothy in 1 Timothy 3:1. Regarding the negative statements, (1) since the responsibilities of the office of elder are great and since elders will be required to give account of their work (Hebrews 13:17), no one should be forced into this position (“not because you must”). God will work in their lives and make them willing to do his will. The motivation of elders should be divine, not human. (2) Nor should the motivation be financial, though elders were evidently paid in the early church and handled the finances of congregations (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:7–11; 1 Timothy 5:17). Not money but enthusiasm and zeal for God and his work must motivate elders. (3) They are not to be “lords” over “those entrusted to” them. Probably in each congregation, individual elders had portions of the congregation for which they were particularly responsible. Elders should endeavor to be patterns for Christ’s sheep.

Those elders who are faithful will receive a “crown of glory that does not fade away.” The “crown” (GK 5109) could be a garland or wreath made of leaves or of gold. In Christ’s suffering it was ironically made of thorns (Matthew 27:29). The unfading “crown of glory” makes a striking contrast to the use of withered parsley used for the crown at the Isthmian games. The glorification will take place at the manifestation of the True Shepherd or Chief Shepherd (cf. Romans 8:17ff.).

“Young men” most likely refers to young men in general. The women are not mentioned because their activity in the churches was limited in Peter’s time. “In the same way” indicates a new unit of instruction (cf. 3:1, 7). The exhortation to submission is not limited to a few, but all Christians are to manifest this quality.

“Clothe yourselves” (GK 1599) is a rare word that refers to a slave putting on an apron before serving. So Christians are to imitate their Lord, who girded himself and served . The reason for humility is based on Pr 3:34 (cf. James 4:6) that states God’s provision of grace to the submissive and God’s continuing opposition to the proud.