1 Peter 5:2 - Forerunner Commentary

1 Peter 5:2

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Articles, Bible studies, and sermons that contain The First Epistle of Peter 5:2:

I Peter 5:1-4
Excerpted from: Government (Part Seven)

Now, remember who is writing this. The same one that Jesus told, "Feed My sheep. Feed My lambs. Tend My sheep."

The title, or the term, "elder" goes all the way back to Numbers 11—in Moses' appointment of the seventy to assist him in administering God's law to Israel. "Elder" is the basic office in the church; and it includes everybody from "apostle" to "local elder." They are, in short, the counselors, and the teachers, and administrators of the church. This is a very weighty responsibility. The Bible looks upon the elders as the most privileged of all people—because of their responsibility. That is, their responsibility to serve God's church.

Because of this responsibility, they are the most exposed of all people to God's judgment. Remember the principle: to whom much is given, much is required. God has given "gifts" to the ministry—so that they, in turn, will be able to teach the church. It is a tremendous privilege—but also a weighty responsibility that no minister can afford to just slough off as being nothing.

Back in I Peter 5, the minister is admonished that he must not be in the office for what he can get out of it. He is to lay down his life for it. There are those (surely among the ministry, as well) who desire power and prestige more than money. They love authority so much that they are willing to exercise it in a small area—just so they can exercise it.

The elder is to be a shepherd, and a shepherd is a symbol of selfless care and sacrificial love. He is to consider that his responsibility and his office was not earned by merit, but allotted or assigned by God. That is important! It is not something that he earned, or deserves. This is clarified all the way back to Deuteronomy 9:29.

It is interesting there because exactly the same word used in reference to Israel being God's inheritance, in the Septuagint that word "inheritance" is [the Greek word] kleros. That is the same word that is used here in I Peter 5:3 in regard to "being lords over those entrusted to you." The ministry is to look at the congregation that he pastors as having been given, or allotted, or assigned to him as his "inheritance"—in the same way that Israel was God's inheritance. The idea behind this is that, as God treated Israel (and He gave His life for it), the minister is to treat his congregation. That is, having the same kind of regard. So the congregation is "the allotment" of the elder, and he had better take care of it.

So, we have "elder." We have "overseer." And we have "shepherd"—used to describe the elder's responsibility. Elder indicates being "senior." It implies having a lot of experience; and, therefore, indicates having a lot of wisdom. Also, being a counselor. An overseer, or a bishop, indicates having a measure of rule. It means to superintend—one who surveys, or watches. Shepherd indicates somebody who feeds, or guides, or guards, or tends, or cares for. And the apostle Paul (in I Corinthians 4:1-2) described himself as being both a servant and a steward. A steward is one who administers, or oversees.

Articles
'I'll Never Follow Another Man!'
The Shepherd's Voice

Essays
Many Princes
The Crowns of Success (Part One)
The Shepherd's Guidance (Part Two)

Sermons
The Christian Walk (Part Four): Mutual Submission in Godly Fear
Without Me, Nothing! (Part Two)
Pentecost and the Book of Ruth
Hebrews 12 and 13: Advice for the End Time
Dogs and Sheep
Principles of Church Leadership
The Post-Resurrection Last Words of Christ (Part Three)
God and Government
Spotting False Teachers
All Sifted Like Wheat (Part Three)

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