Shepherding Well

V. Charged with New Responsibility (5:1–11)

This next section may seem like something new, and it is in a way, but it’s also very much connected to the rest of the book. In light of the position of the Christians and the troubled times, we see the new behavior commanded from the leaders.

In times of trouble, People are likely to look to their leaders for support. This is one reason that this command is here. We also saw previously that judgment must begin at the House of God. And if this is true, the leaders must get God's house in order before they can worry about judgment on the world.

A. Elders are to shepherd (5:1–4)

First, we need to look at what the word elder means. Obviously, literally refers to someone who is of an older age, but by implication it also refers to some one in a position of leadership. This is not so much true anymore in the wider culture, but in times past, old age is associated with leadership and wisdom experience. Someone who was older would automatically be looked up to as a kind of leader within a society.

We also see in scripture the term used synonymously with the other terms, a bishop or pastor. We see the apostles or gaining elders in various cities they went to or putting them in churches.

So this term is specifically referring to a pastor or a leader within The church, but I believe it can also apply to any spiritual leader in a position to day.

So we see now who this is addressed to. Now we see what Peter commands. He exhorts them to exhort means to incite by words or advice or to urge some one toward a good course of action. We've seen this word before, but just to review, it's a stronger word than encouragement or urge, but also includes some prodding.

But before we get to the exhortation, Peter gives some biographical notes.

1. Peter identifies himself with the elders. (5:1, Acts 14:23, 20:28; Acts 1:21–22, 3:15; Matthew 17:1–5, 2 Peter 1:15–18)

The first wave here identifies with these elders is by saying that he is one of them. The word literally means fellow elder. He's referring to himself as one of them. He's in essence, saying I identify with your struggles because I also am an elder and I've experienced those struggles myself. He's far from being someone who does not understand their position, just looking in and giving them compassionless advice. But he has lived what they are living and exhorts from experience.

This is one reason that Peter was so qualified to write this book, not only. was he drawing from his experience with Jesus, which would have been enough, and not only was he drawing from the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, which also would have been enough, but he was drawing from his own personal life, the sufferings he had gone through and the struggles he had faced.

The next way he relates is by speaking of his witnessing of the suffering of Christ. This could mean one of two things. The word witness is most often used to day in terms of some one who has seen something such as an eyewitness, but the word could also mean someone who testifies by their actions. The Greek word is martis, which is where we get our English word martyr the word does not always mean martyr, but it can be translated as such and can mean a witness in that sense.

There is some disagreement whether this means Peter saw the sufferings of Christ, or whether it means he testified of them by his life. It could take this phrase one of two different ways. If you speaking of his eyewitness testimony of the sufferings of Christ, he's probably referring to his authority as an apostle. He is one of the elders, and he relates to their struggles. To their duties. But he also carries with him the authority of an apostle to give them this exhortation. We see when a new apostle was ordained on the day of Pentecost, that the criteria for an apostle included having been with Jesus through his entire earthly ministry.

Acts 1:21–22 KJV

Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

However, it is reasonable to believe that Peter saw Jesus’ suffering. We know that Peter was with Jesus in the garden, but of course he and most of the other apostles fled at that point. He was there at the trial, but we do not know what happened to him after that time. It is not unreasonable to think that he saw Jesus from our far off that he was present there, but just not a part of the narrative, and thus not mentioned. We also see in Acts he speaks of we, himself included, witnessing the sufferings of Christ.

Acts 3:15 KJV

And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.

Either Way is plausible, but they mean slightly different things. However, either way is also supported by other text. If he's speaking of being a witness in the sense of suffering for Christ, then that would connect with the next statement, which we'll get into in a minute. However, if he's speaking of his eyewitness testimony, then he is referring to his apostleship and his authority, which was already established in chapter one. So either way, we had their support in the book, and it's hard to say which is the definite interpretation.

However, the next way he relates to them is clear enough. He speaks of himself being a partaker of the glory that shall follow Now, after he just talked about suffering, leading to partaking in Christ's glory, it’s obvious this is referring to suffering. He has identifying himself with the suffering of these churches, showing and reminding them that they are not alone in their hardship.

However, he's also reminding them of his experience on the mounted transfiguration, where he got to see a preview of Christ's glory and got to partly partake in it even before his death.

Matthew 17:1–5 KJV

And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

2 Peter 1:15–18 KJV

Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.

So we see from these three phrases that Peter relates to his audience in different ways. Both speaking of himself as one of them, and also perhaps showing his authority over them, or perhaps showing his solidarity with their suffering. But whatever interpretation you take, it's clear that before he gets into this exhortation, before he gets into telling them what to do, he first tells them how he understands where they are.

He is not trying to force them to do anything that he is not already doing or willing to do. And this is an important point where he models what a leader should do. He models the commands he's about to give.

2. Elders must nourish and guide the flock of God. (5:2–3, John 21:15)

We get the basic command, feed the flock of God, which is among you. This is reminiscent of Peter's conversation with Jesus on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.

John 21:15 KJV

So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

So once again, Peter is giving instruction almost straight from the mouth of Jesus. This is something common throughout this epistle, and especially common in this section.

The word feed is obviously in this context not literal. So what is Peter talking about when he tells them to feed the flock of God? Spiritual feeding includes caring, leading, and protecting the flock.

A faithful shepherd will also lead his his flock from pasture of pasture, finding them in good food. You will make sure that they are fed and also searched land for anything that might cause them danger. In the context of pasture, this refers to a pastor leading his flock to the word of God so that they may feed on its riches.

A shepherd might also seek out a wayward sheep and give it personal attention. He will give individuals personal attention rather than only being interested in crowds. Jesus did this by preaching to crowds, but also speaking with Nicodemus, the woman at the well and others in his ministry.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Eleven: How to Be a Good Shepherd (1 Peter 5:1–4)

A good shepherd would know each of his sheep by name and would understand the special traits of each one.

A shepherd will also discipline rebellious sheep. And when false doctrine comes in, he will speak against it and prevent it from causing harm to the flock.

Then, after the after feeding the flock and taking the oversight, we see the phrase, which is among you. The elder is not only over a flock, but also among them. The spiritual leader should exercise authority being over his flock, as there has to be some sort of leader. But he also must not think of himself as superior to the flock. He is among them. He is one of them.

An elder should have better theological education, high moral standards, a close relationship with God. But these things do not make him superior in value in any way to the other members of a flock. They only make him qualify to lead.

We see three contrasts in the next instructions to elders. We see three things they're not supposed to do and three things they are.

i. With love for others (Ezekiel 34:2–4, John 10:11–14)

The first contrasting instructions here are “not by constraint, but willingly.” Not by constraint means not out of obligation. Duty does haul elders to lead in to lead well. But an elder should not still lead grudgingly. A grudging leader does not care about his people. He does not stand and defend them when the attacks come. A grudging leader will not really be looking for the best interest of his people. You only looking to do the bare minimum and get out of this situation what he can.

these kinds of shepherds are spoken against in the old and New Testament.

Ezekiel 34:2–4 KJV

Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks? Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock. The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.

John 10:11–14 KJV

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

So while there should be a sense of duty and leading, it must not be the only reason someone leads.

The opposite side of that is to lead willingly. This means do it of one's own desire and will. A good elders be ready to lay down his life for his sheet, and he'll only have this attitude if he truly cares about the sheep. The primary reason an elder should lead is because he cares about the good of the flock. This should be his first and foremost desire.

This is seen in Jesus description of himself as the Good Shepherd. He says the Good Shepherd gives his life for the sheep and any spiritual leader should be ready to do the same, literally or metaphorically.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Eleven: How to Be a Good Shepherd (1 Peter 5:1–4)

The pastor is not a religious lecturer who weekly passes along information about the Bible. He is a shepherd who knows his people and seeks to help them through the Word.

ii. Without thought for gain

Before studying the word lucre, I had always thought it only referred to money in a general sense. It does refer to money, but in the context of ill-gotten gain or greediness. Filthy lucre is talking about profit gotten by ill means or by taking advantage of people.

This may refer to the money elder would receive for his service of leadership. It's unclear whether elders in this time are being paid for their leadership. However, in the minor profits, the spiritual leaders of Israel were spoken against for taking advantage of the poor for their own profit. It seems that people in spiritual leadership Have the opportunity to take advantage of people and increase their own monetary gain while shoving others down and oppressing them.

This probably is what Peter had in mind with this admonition. Very few people are going to get rich by being an elder or a pastor. especially in those times, mega churches didn't exist. There were no pastors with massive salaries and jets and auditoriums that could seat thousands.

Elders are in a unique situation to be able to take advantage of people and rob the poor of what little they have. And this is what Peter commands against.

By contrast, a good elder will be of a ready mind. This means that you have a mind ready or eager to oversee. This goes back to grudging versus willing. A grudging elder may just be in it for the money means look to see what he can get out of it. Because if he has to do it, he might as well get something from it. But a willing shepherd will be in it for the good of the flock. He will have a mind ready to help.

iii. With an exemplary life (Matthew 20:25–28)

Christian leaders are lords in the sense that they are leaders. But they should not act like they are the king and everyone else should serve them. They should not seek to dominate the people of God like tyrants. There's a difference between a leader and a tyrant.

Matthew 20:25–28 KJV

But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

This is very similar to the instructions given to husbands. A husband is the leader of a home, but he is not to act as a tyrant. He should not be domineering. A wife should submit to her husband, but the husband should not demand submission.

In the same way, a Christian leader should not rule over or punish or be a dictator over the flock of God. It is not his flock. It is God’s. He has no authority to be some sort of dictator, retirement over these people. His duty is to serve them and lead them.

So how does one lead without controlling others? You lead by example. This is what Peter commands an elder should have a life that is an example to the flock. Just like Peter has done, a good elder should model his commands in his life. When he says something, the person he's talking to should be able to recognize that Virtue in his life.

Every good leader leads by example. The best kings ride into battle alongside their men. Some of the most respected generals of the past were those who did not live in their own fancy tent but slept on the ground alongside their men and worked just as hard as them. This 1. serves others and seeks their good, and 2. makes people much more willing to follow and listen to a leader. Demanding obedience without giving anyone a reason to respect you is a recipe for disaster. It can lead to rebellions and mutinies within ranks.

The term “God's heritage” speaks of the responsibility of an elder. A flock is God's inheritance. It is God's responsibility. This is the flock that God has put upon himself to oversee. An elder will stand before God for how he treats God's heritage and how well he looked out for them during his time.

Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume 1 Peter 5:1–4

The pastors of the church ought to consider their people as the flock of God, as God’s heritage, and treat them accordingly. They are not theirs, to be lorded over at pleasure; but they are God’s people, and should be treated with love, meekness, and tenderness, for the sake of him to whom they belong.

3. The Chief Shepherd will reward faithful service. (5:4)

We see that while Jesus is always looking after his heritage, at one point he will physically return to ransom them. You will when they appear physically on the earth. And when he does, it will be a time of great judgment for some and a time of great reward for others. Here is an encouragement that those who faithfully lead will be rewarded. God does see their efforts.

Faithful elders will receive a crown of glory. With this crown at Peter's referring to the wreaths That athletes would be awarded for sports events. These were crowns of glory, but they would quickly fade, as all the plants died. However, the crown that God will give will be a crown that never fades in glory. For all eternity, this will be a reflection of the faithful service of an elder.

All prizes on this earth fade away. Even earthly glory that is remembered thousands of years later will not be remembered after the destruction of the old world. However, a crown of glory given by God in reward for faithful shepherding will never fade and never be forgotten for all the ages to come.