BE SHEPHERDS OF GOD'S FLOCK
Key verse: 2
NIV
To the Elders and the Flock
5 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder(A) and a witness(B) of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed:(C) 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock(D) that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be;(E) not pursuing dishonest gain,(F) but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over(G) those entrusted to you, but being examples(H) to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd(I) appears, you will receive the crown of glory(J) that will never fade away.(K)
Cross references
- 1 Peter 5:1 : S Ac 11:30
- 1 Peter 5:1 : S Lk 24:48
- 1 Peter 5:1 : 1Pe 1:5, 7; 4:13; Rev 1:9
- 1 Peter 5:2 : S Jn 21:16
- 1 Peter 5:2 : 2Co 9:7; Phm 14
- 1 Peter 5:2 : S 1Ti 3:3
- 1 Peter 5:3 : Eze 34:4; Mt 20:25-28
- 1 Peter 5:3 : S 1Ti 4:12
- 1 Peter 5:4 : S Jn 10:11
- 1 Peter 5:4 : S 1Co 9:25
- 1 Peter 5:4 : 1Pe 1:4
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway
ESV
Shepherd the Flock of God
5 So I exhort the elders among you, (A)as a fellow elder and (B)a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 (C)shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight,[a] (D)not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you;[b] (E)not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not (F)domineering over those in your charge, but (G)being examples to the flock. 4 And when (H)the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the (I)unfading (J)crown of glory.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 1 Peter 5:2 Some manuscripts omit exercising oversight
- 1 Peter 5:2 Some manuscripts omit as God would have you
Cross references
- 1 Peter 5:1 : [2 John 1; 3 John 1]
- 1 Peter 5:1 : See Luke 24:48
- 1 Peter 5:2 : [Jude 12]; See John 21:16
- 1 Peter 5:2 : [Philem. 14]
- 1 Peter 5:2 : 1 Tim. 3:8; Titus 1:7
- 1 Peter 5:3 : Ezek. 34:4; Matt. 20:25; Mark 10:42; 2 Cor. 1:24
- 1 Peter 5:3 : Phil. 3:17; 2 Thess. 3:9; 1 Tim. 4:12; Titus 2:7
- 1 Peter 5:4 : Heb. 13:20
- 1 Peter 5:4 : [ch. 1:4]
- 1 Peter 5:4 : 1 Cor. 9:25; See James 1:12
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
1. Shepherds of God's flock
Peter addressed this charge to the elders, leaders in the church. A leader in the Christian fellowship is a shepherd. A shepherd should not be a hireling. His motives must be pure. He is a shepherd because God wants him to be, not because he receives some material or human benefit. He must accept God's calling and serve God's people willingly . A shepherd should not lord it over others nor should he be full of personal ambition. Rather, he must lead by example. Shepherds must feed God's flock with the word of God; he must protect them.
2. The Chief Shepherd will appear
The Chief Shepherd is Jesus. All shepherds must first be good sheep of Jesus. Shepherds must receive Jesus' grace and forgiveness. Their hope must be in the crown of glory he will give them. They must learn shepherdship from Jesus.
Prayer: Lord, help me to follow Jesus closely until he enables me to be a shepherd.
One Word: Be shepherds of God's flock
