1 Peter 5:1 - Meaning and Application

Here we can notice who this exhortation is given to. Peter speaks to the presbyters, pastors, and spiritual leaders of the church, meaning elders by office, not simply by age. He is writing to the ministers of the churches addressed in this letter.

We should also notice who gives the exhortation. It is the apostle Peter, and he says, “I exhort.” To strengthen his appeal, he reminds them that he is their fellow elder, so he asks nothing of them that he is not ready to do himself. He also says he was a witness of Christ’s sufferings, being with him in the garden, following him to the high priest’s house, and likely seeing his suffering on the cross from among the crowd (Acts 3:15). He adds that he is also a partaker of the glory that was partly shown at the transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-3) and will be fully enjoyed at the second coming of Jesus Christ.

From this we learn several things. Those whose work is to teach others should carefully study their own duty, as well as teach the people theirs. Peter also shows a very different spirit from those who later claimed to follow him. He does not command and dominate. He does not claim rule over all pastors and churches, nor does he call himself prince of the apostles, vicar of Christ, or head of the church. Instead, he values himself simply as an elder. All the apostles were elders, though not every elder was an apostle. It was a special honor for Peter, and a few others, to be witnesses of Christ’s sufferings, but all true Christians share in the glory that will one day be revealed.

Peter then describes the pastor’s duty and how it should be done. The work is threefold. First, they must feed the flock, by preaching the pure word of God and by guiding the church according to the directions and discipline that the word gives. Second, they must take oversight of the flock. The elders are called to do the work of bishops, which means personal care and watchfulness over all those entrusted to them. Third, they must be examples to the flock, living out the holiness, self-denial, dying to sin, and other Christian duties they teach.

These duties must be done willingly, not under pressure. They are not to serve because they must, or because civil power forces them, or because fear or shame pushes them. They must serve with a willing mind that takes pleasure in the work. They must not serve for filthy gain, meaning selfish profit, or for any extra benefit tied to the office. They should care more for the flock than for the fleece, and serve the church of God sincerely and cheerfully. Nor should they act as lords over God’s heritage, meaning they must not tyrannize over believers by force or by imposing human inventions instead of God’s commands (Matthew 20:25-26; 2 Corinthians 1:24).

This teaches us the great honor of the church of God and all true believers. These poor, scattered, suffering Christians were the flock of God. The rest of the world is like a rough herd, but these are an ordered flock, redeemed to God by the great Shepherd, living together in holy love and fellowship according to God’s will. They are also called God’s heritage, his chosen possession. The word is not limited in the New Testament to ministers of religion.

Pastors should think of their people as God’s flock and God’s heritage, and treat them that way. The people are not theirs to rule however they please. They belong to God and should be treated with love, gentleness, and care, because they belong to him. Ministers who are pushed into the work by necessity, or drawn into it by greedy gain, can never do their duty properly, because they do not serve willingly and with a ready mind. The best way for a minister to earn respect is to do his duty well and to be a steady example of everything good.

In contrast to the selfish gain many seek in the pastoral office, Peter sets before them the crown of glory that the great Shepherd, Jesus Christ, has prepared for all faithful ministers. Jesus Christ is the chief Shepherd of the whole flock and heritage of God. He bought them, rules them, and protects and saves them forever. He is also the chief Shepherd over all under-shepherds, that is, all lesser pastors. They receive their authority from him, serve in his name, and must answer to him at the end.

This chief Shepherd will appear to judge all ministers and under-shepherds, and to call them to account for whether they faithfully carried out their duty in public and in private, according to these instructions. Those who are found faithful will receive something far better than any earthly gain. They will receive from the great Shepherd a high and lasting glory, a crown of glory that never fades.