GCLI -- Meditations on Eldership (1st Peter 5:1-4)

GCLI had a section on elders. The course work quoted 1st Peter 5. I haven't really studied 1st Peter for a long time, so I decided to dig a little bit into the passage. It struck me that Peter called himself an "Apostle" and an "Elder." When I read these terms in Acts and the epistles, I understood that the Apostles had unique gifts and ministries, but I tended to group the functions of elders and apostles within the church as very similar. An apostle would be a super elder so to speak. However, Peter saw them as separate roles, ministries, and functions. Here is the passage:

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 ESV)

The ESV starts the chapter with "So" and the NASB starts chapter 5 with a "Therefore." The conjunction is pointing the reader to what Peter wrote before. We need to go back to 1 Peter 4 to find out the context.

For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. (1 Peter 4:17-19 ESV)

Peter is stating that judgment is beginning with the household of God. He is giving his fellow elders his advice about to handle suffering. Peter can do this because he is a fellow elder and therefore he will be a fellow partaker of oncoming suffering. Furthermore, Peter is a witness of the suffering of Christ. No one is more qualified than Peter in how to endure suffering. Notice that very next topic Peter writes about is "glory going to be revealed." Peter is going to participate in the suffering of the elders because he is a fellow elder. He is going to partake in the glory with the elders because of the suffering he will experience with them.

Peter is being a shepherd to the elders. This shepherding reminds us of the exhortation Paul gave the elders in Acts,

Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. (Acts 20:28 ESV)

Peter was paying careful attention to the elders of these churches, so that they may watch over themselves and their flocks to stay firm during the time of suffering. Elders not only need to watch over their flock; they need to watch over each other.

Let us look at some of the terms that Peter is using in 1 Peter 5. The word shepherd means of course means keeper of sheep. Jesus speaks of himself as a shepherd in Matthew 9:37.

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. (Matthew 9:36 ESV)

Therefore, a shepherd guides, feeds, and protects his sheep.

The next word I want to look at is "oversight." It means to look over. It is also found in Hebrews 12:15.

Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; (KJV)

This command in Hebrews to "exercise oversight" or "look diligently" is for all Christians, but especially for elders. As it is indicated in the parable of the lost sheep (Matthew 18), the shepherd looks out for stragglers and runaways. I have been trained as a lifeguard. It has the same idea. A lifeguard cannot afford to be distracted. He is to continually look over the swimming pool for swimmers in danger. When an elder exercises oversight he is studying his flock and trying to identify the weak and misguided so he can protect them. However, as the verse in Hebrews indicates, we all are supposed to be watching out for each other.

A leader should exercise oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly. A man should not be coerced into being an elder. Being an elder is a heavy responsibility especially during times of suffering. Therefore, elders need to have a deep desire to serve God in this calling. If an elder loses desire for the ministry, he should be allowed to resign.

An elder should shepherd not for shameful gain, but willingly. We all can think of preachers who profited from the poor of his flock to line his pockets. Ezekiel prophesied against the shepherds of Israel for feeding themselves at expense of their flocks.

"Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord GOD: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep. (Ezekiel 34:2-3 ESV)

If an elder burns out and is shepherding only to keep his paycheck, he needs to stop and reconsider his options. He needs to lean on the other elders to either recapture his desire to elder or step down as elder. An elder should serve because he wants to and not just to earn a paycheck.

Elders should not be domineering over those in their charge. The word translated as "domineering" "includes the idea of domineering as in the rule of a strong person over one who is weak. (TBKC, p. 856)." This is a tough one. An elder should be checking himself to see if he is domineering. Even if his intentions are good, he needs to step back and evaluate how he is acting. He needs to get feedback to see how others see him. Peter provides an encouragement on how others ought to lead: elders should lead by example. They should get their hands dirty in good deeds and evangelism. They should excel in loving their wives, their fellow elders, and their flock.

Although the ministry of an elder is difficult one, it has great reward. James warns the people who are considering elders or teachers:

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. (James 3:1 ESV)

However, with must risk there is much reward. Elders will receive an unfading crown of glory.

I haven't really figured out why Peter saw the role of elder so important that he differentiated it from apostleship at the start of the passage . Perhaps it was just so he could identify with his readers. However, Peter did see the role of elder as key to the church especially in time of suffering. So submit to our elders and let serve them with rejoicing.

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. (Hebrews 13:17 ESV)