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Neither as being lords; not exercising any such lordship or dominion over the people, as temporal lords and magistrates exercise over their subjects, Mat_20:25,26, &c.; Luk_22:25: compare 2Co_1:24.
Over God’s heritage; the Lord’s clergy, the same as flock before; the Greek word is plural, and so it signifies the several churches or flocks which were under the charge of the several elders or pastors. The church of Israel is often called God’s inheritance, which as it were fell to him by lot, (as the Greek word signifies), and which was as dear to him as men’s inheritances are to them: see Deu_4:20 9:29 32:9 Psa_33:12 74:2 78:71. Accordingly now the Christian church, succeeding it, is called God’s inheritance, and the word clerus is no where in the New Testament peculiarly ascribed to ministers of the gospel. This title given here to the Lord’s people, implies a reason why the elders should not lord it over them, viz. because they are still the Lord’s inheritance, and not their own; God having not given them a kingdom but a care, and still retaining his right to his people.
But being ensamples to the flock; in holiness of life, practising before their eyes what you preach to their ears, Phi_3:17 2Th_3:9 Tit_2:7.