So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.  And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 

1 Peter 5:1-4

In continuing our study of Peter’s directives to elders, let’s first notice that Peter describes himself not only as “a fellow elder,” but also as “a witness of the sufferings of Christ.”  I imagine the apostle writing this while sorrowfully remembering the Lord turning to look at him as he denied even knowing Him, thus also denying Him comfort when He needed it the most.  This betrayal makes Peter’s inspired acknowledgment that he was also “a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed” an even greater testimony of the power and depth of the grace and mercy of our Savior.  If Jesus could forgive a penitent Peter, He can forgive us when we repent.  Never forget that.

The apostle who was also a preacher and elder then directs elders to “shepherd” God’s flock which is among them, thus showing not only that elders are the biblical pastors of the church but that biblical leadership in the church requires elders to “keep watch over…souls” (Heb. 13:17).  Just as shepherds in the field keep watch to protect their sheep from predators, elders must know God’s Word well enough to protect the church from the wolves who would lead them into false doctrine (cf. Acts 20:28-31; Tit. 1:9).  This gives us the reason for the elder requirement which is hospitality (Tit. 1:8), which would result in elders coming to know the church much better.  Jesus said that sheep follow only those whom they know (John 10:2-5).  Therefore, wise elders will work hard to get to know their brethren very well.

Peter then commands elders to “exercise oversight” over the flock, thus making them the ones who “are over you in the Lord” whom Christians are to respect and esteem highly (1 Thess. 5:12-13) and the “leaders” in the church which Christians are to “obey” (Heb. 13:17).  Since Jesus is “the Chief Shepherd” and head over the church (cf. Eph. 1:22-23; Matt. 28:18), elders do not have authority to add to or take away from God’s Word.  Thus, the authority they do have concerns determining the most expedient way for the local church to carry out the commands within the New Testament.

Elders are to shepherd and oversee “willingly” rather than “under compulsion” (cf. 1 Tim. 3:1).  Elders who serve unwillingly end up causing much spiritual harm to the church and themselves.  Thus, they must have an “eager” (prothymos, a mind that is ready) desire to serve in this capacity instead of wanting the office out of “shameful gain,” i.e., a duplicitous desire to gain power or prestige (cf. 1 Tim. 3:3, 6).  Having such a sinful mindset about the job would cause them to violate yet another apostolic directive, that of “not domineering over those in your charge.”  While elders by virtue of “exercising oversight” do have the final say in matters of judgment concerning God’s work for the local church, they must be careful not to allow pride and selfishness to turn them into autocratic dictators.  Wise, humble elders will be open to points of view on matters of judgment which are different than their own.  By being humble in this way and by meeting all of the qualifications for the office (1 Tim. 3:1-7; Tit. 1:5-9), they prove themselves to be “examples to the flock,” especially when one considers that all of the qualifications outside of the familial requirements are attributes which Scripture requires of all Christians.

Elders have a hard job, which we will discuss more next week.  Thus it is good for them to remember “the unfading crown of glory” which “the Chief Shepherd” will give them on that wonderful day.  Elders, thank you for the work you do!

— Jon