Studies in First Peter Part 27
“1Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 2shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; 3nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. 4And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory” (I Peter 5:1-4).
We learn from the opening verse in Peter’s letter that it is addressed to churches in Asia Minor. These churches likely by this time had some structure to them including the appointment of elders. These church leaders are exhorted to lead in the way of Jesus, “the Chief Shepherd.” And what does leadership in this way look like?”
It is “exercising oversight; voluntarily, according to will of God, not for sordid gain, eagerly, not lording over” folks with your position, “but proving to be an example to the flock.” Let’s break down this oversight by looking at these key words:
“Not under compulsion, but voluntarily.” Eldership is a voluntary service. We are not serving reluctantly or aloof and disinterested.
“According to the will of God.” The will of God is not complicated. In its simplest form, it is doing the right thing. It is living righteously in keeping with our new righteous identity. And elders are encouraged to serve in this way.
“Not for sordid gain.” Serving as an elder is an exercise in service for ministry sake. Not to gain a financial position or to boost one’s reputation.
“Eagerly.” I love this. Although I no longer serve as an elder in a formal church setting, I enjoyed the service and interaction that went with it. I honestly did it “eagerly”. Now I write books and posts “eagerly”.
“Not lording it over.” This so aligns with the way of Jesus. “Calling them to Himself, Jesus said to them, ‘You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them. But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many’ ” (Mark 10:42-45).
We follow the way of “the Chief Shepherd” when we lead with humility. We “prove to be examples to the flock” when we teach, when we serve, when we walk, in humility.
Peter also identifies himself as a “fellow elder.” And he throws in a bit of his own history. Peter was a “witness of the sufferings of Christ;” he was there and witnessed the death of Jesus first hand. “And a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed; he saw the glory of Jesus spectacularly displayed at His transfiguration (Mark 9:2-8). A glory that will be revealed to us all at the end of the age.