Expositor's Bible Commentary 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)

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.