Peter's Exhortation to Elders (5:1-4)

"THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER"

Peter's Exhortation To Elders (5:1-4)

At all times, but especially during persecution, the people of God need good leadership. In His Divine wisdom, the Lord saw fit to organize His church in such a way that the condition He witnessed during His earthly ministry ("like sheep having no shepherd" - Mt 9:36) should not last for long. His plan calls for local congregations to be overseen by qualified men, known as "elders", and whose responsibilities were to "shepherd the flock of God". In our text (1 Pe 5:1-4), we read of such men, and Peter's exhortation to them. In this lesson, we shall:

1) Briefly summarize what is said about elders in the Lord's church throughout the Scriptures.

2) Consider the exhortation given by Peter to the elders in 1 Pe 5:1-4 “The elders among you I

exhort, who am a fellow-elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, who am also a

partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Tend the flock of God which is among you,

exercising the oversight, not of constraint, but willingly, according to the will of God; nor yet

for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but

making yourselves ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall be manifested,

ye shall receive the crown of glory that fadeth not away.”


We begin, therefore, with a brief summary concerning elders. In the New Testament church local congregations as soon as possible were organized under the leadership of elders - Ac 14:23 “And when they had appointed for them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they had believed.” In every example we have, there was a "plurality" of elders in each church, never just one elder, Ac 20:17 “And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called to him the elders of the church.”; 21:17-18 “And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.” Note the plurality.

The work of elders can be seen by the use of terms that are used interchangeably in the Scriptures. Such terms as "elder, pastor, bishop, shepherd, and overseer". That they refer to the same position is evident by their use in:

1) Ac 20:17 “And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called to him the elders of the church.”, 28 “Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood.” -- where elders are called "overseers" (bishops), and charged to "shepherd" (pastor) the church, depending on which version or translation one uses.

2) Ti 1:5-7 “For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that were wanting, and appoint elders in every city, as I gave thee charge; if any man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children that believe, who are not accused of riot or unruly. For the bishop must be blameless, as God’s steward; not self-willed, not soon angry, no brawler, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre;” -- where "elder" and "bishop" (overseer) are used together.

3) 1 Pe 5:1-2 “The elders among you I exhort, who am a fellow-elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, who am also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Tend the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not of constraint, but willingly, according to the will of God; nor yet for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;” -- where "elders" are told to "shepherd" (pastor) the flock of God, serving as "overseers" (bishops). As "older men", therefore, they are to watch over (bishop, overseer) the flock, and to tend (shepherd, pastor) the sheep.

With such an awesome responsibility to watch over and tend the flock of God, one can understand that it takes men with who are truly qualified. Two lists of qualifications for elders are found in 1 Ti 3:1-7 “Faithful is the saying, If a man seeketh the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. The bishop therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, orderly, given to hospitality, apt to teach; no brawler, no striker; but gentle, not contentious, no lover of money; one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (but if a man knoweth not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) not a novice, lest being puffed up he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have good testimony from them that are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.”; Ti 1:5-9 “For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that were wanting, and appoint elders in every city, as I gave thee charge; if any man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children that believe, who are not accused of riot or unruly.For the bishop must be blameless, as God’s steward; not self-willed, not soon angry, no brawler, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre;but given to hospitality, a lover of good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled; holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict the gainsayers.”


Our responsibility to elders is to recognize and respect them - 1 Th 5:12-13 “But we beseech you, brethren, to know them that labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them exceeding highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.”; 1 Ti 5:17-20 “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn. And, The laborer is worthy of his hire. Against an elder receive not an accusation, except at the mouth of two or three witnesses. Them that sin reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in fear.”


Our responsibility is to obey and be submissive when they lead scripturally - He 13:17 “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit to them: for they watch in behalf of your souls, as they that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief: for this were unprofitable for you.”; 1 Pe 5:5 “Likewise, ye younger, be subject unto the elder. Yea, all of you gird yourselves with humility, to serve one another: for God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.” Think of elders, then, as your "spiritual advisors", as "shepherds"; who are to be mature, experienced Christian men charged by God to "watch out for your souls"!

With this brief summary fresh in our minds, let's now consider Peter's exhortation to elders and the basis for this exhortation. As coming from one who is a fellow elder Peter could have "commanded" them, using his apostolic authority. But practicing what he will preach in verse 3 “neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but”, Peter chose to "exhort" them as a "fellow elder". As coming from one who is a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker of the glory that will be revealed. He has certainly been an eyewitness of Christ's suffering. But he has also been a personal partaker of the suffering of Christ as described earlier in 1 Pe 4:13 “but insomuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory also ye may rejoice with exceeding joy.”; Ac 5:40-41 “And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles unto them, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. They therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name.” And as so will be a partaker of the same glory referred to later in verse 4 “And when the chief Shepherd shall be manifested, ye shall receive the crown of glory that fadeth not away.”

Note exhortation itself. "Shepherd the flock of God". To tend (pastor) to the people of God; for this reason, elders must be:

1) "able to teach" - 1 Ti 3:2

2) "able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict" - Ti 1:9

As Paul told the elders of the church in Ephesus, this involves "taking heed" to themselves as well - Ac 20:28-30

"which is among you". Their responsibility is for the sheep in the congregation where they serve. Even as Paul told the Ephesian elders: "the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers" - Ac 20:28. The concept of one or more elders (bishops, pastors) over a plurality of churches is foreign to the New Testament.

"serving as overseers". Here the work of elders is summarized: to oversee the flock of God. But notice that Peter calls such oversight as "serving". In keeping with what is said later, the role of elder is one of a servant, not a lord.

"not by constraint but willingly". A man cannot be appointed to serve against his will. Indeed, there is nothing wrong with "desiring the position" - 1 Ti 3:1. But the moment he loses the desire to serve willingly, he should step down, for he will not be able to serve as he ought.

"not for dishonest gain but eagerly". An elder may be financially supported for his work - 1 Ti 5:17-18. But the motive for service is not to be money, but an eagerness to save souls!

"nor as being lords over those entrusted to you". As implied before, the oversight is a position of service, not to be abused by assuming a dictatorial role. A sobering thought is that elders are "entrusted" with the souls under their care, and they will be called to give an account! - He 13:17.

"but being examples to the flock". Just as sheep are best led, and not driven, so it is with the people of God. Qualified elders will have less problem getting people to follow them and submitting to their care. When elders do not provide examples of spirituality, the flock is more likely to rebel against their leadership.

What would be the motivation for elders to heed this exhortation? First, perhaps a subtle reminder that "elders" are also under authority.... There is one who is "the Chief Shepherd" (Jesus) who will one day appear, one to whom they will have to give an account - He 13:17. But more positively, a promise of recognition for faithful service.... "you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away". Like the "inheritance" reserved in heaven that "does not fade away" - 1 Pe 1:4

Those who serve well as elders are certainly worthy of "the crown of glory" that awaits them. Hopefully, as we better understand the exhortation given by Peter, we will appreciate the work they do in the kingdom of God.... We will "esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake" (1 Th 5:13). We will "obey", and "be submissive", so they can watch out for our souls "with joy and not with grief" (He 13:17). In our next lesson, we shall consider Peter's exhortations to those who are younger (1 Pe 5:5-9)...