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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 1Pe_5:1-5
1Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 2shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; 3nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. 4And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 5You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
1Pe_5:1 "elders. . .fellow elder" There is a play on the term elder (presbuteros) in 1Pe_5:1; 1Pe_5:5. The term is apparently used as a title of leadership (cf. 1Pe_5:1) and a designation of age (cf. 1Pe_5:5). The use of this term is surprising considering that it is basically the Jewish tribal designation of leadership, while "bishop" or "overseer" (episcopos) was the Greek city-state designation for leadership. 1 Peter uses Jewish terms to address Gentile believers.
Peter calls himself a "fellow elder," the term presbuteros plus the preposition syn, which implies "joint participation with." Peter does not assert his Apostolic authority (cf. 2Jn_1:1 where another Apostle calls himself "elder"), but admonishes (i.e., "I exhort," a present active indicative) the local leaders to act and live appropriately in the light of
1. Christ's example
2. nearness of His return
The early churches did not have paid positions of leadership, but recognized the God-given gifts of ministry and leadership within each local church. This affirmation of giftedness had to be balanced with the cultural reverence for "aged-wisdom," especially among the Jewish believing community. Therefore, Peter addresses both types of leadership.
Also notice that "elders" is plural. This may refer to (1) a number of house church leaders (cf. Act_20:17) or (2) the different spiritual gifts among a body of leaders (cf. Eph_4:11), which clearly states that ministry belongs to all believers. This is parallel to the concept of "a kingdom of priests" (cf. 1Pe_2:5; 1Pe_2:9).
▣ "witness of the suffering of Christ" This is an affirmation of Peter's eyewitness recollection of the life of Jesus (cf. Act_3:15; Act_10:39). It may also reflect Peter's memory of Jesus' words in Act_1:8. The term "suffering" refers to the crucifixion. Peter uses the term suffering often (cf. 1Pe_1:11; 1Pe_2:19-21; 1Pe_2:23; 1Pe_3:14; 1Pe_3:17-18; 1Pe_4:1[twice],13,15,19; 1Pe_5:1; 1Pe_5:10). This discussion about Jesus' suffering as both redemptive and as an example believers are to emulate, forms a major theme in 1 Peter.
▣ "partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed" This is not only a future reference to the Second Coming (cf. 1Pe_1:5; 1Pe_1:7; 1Pe_4:13; 1Pe_5:4), but possibly a backward eyewitness (flashback) reference to the Transfiguration (cf. Matthew 17; Mar_9:2-8; 2Pe_1:16-18). See Special Topic: Glory at Mar_10:37.
1Pe_5:2 "shepherd the flock of God" This is an aorist active imperative. "Shepherd" is an OT metaphor for God (cf. Psa_23:1; Psa_100:3). It became a title for leaders (cf. Eze_34:7-10). Sheep needed constant care, protection, and attention. Jesus is called the "Good Shepherd" in John 10 and He tells Peter to be a pastor to His sheep in John 21.
In the NT there are several titles for local church leaders.
1. elders
2. overseers or bishops
3. shepherds or pastors
These seem to be used interchangeably (cf. Act_20:17; Act_20:28 and Tit_1:5; Tit_1:7).
NASB "exercising oversight"
NKJV "serving as overseers"
NRSV "exercising the oversight"
TEV-omits-
NJB-omits-
Several ancient Greek manuscripts (i.e., P72, à cf8 i2, A, P, and the Vulgate) include the verbal form (present active participle) of "overseer" used in conjunction with the work of elders. Some ancient manuscripts omit the participle (i.e., à * and B). It is uncertain whether the omission is purposeful by scribes uncomfortable with mixing the offices or roles of elders and overseers.
1Pe_5:2-3 This begins a series (cf. 1Pe_5:2-3) of contrasting qualifications for church leaders.
Positive
2. with eagerness
3. as an example
not for sordid gain
not lording it over
▣ "according to the will of God" This phrase is present in many ancient Greek manuscripts (i.e., P72, à cf8 i2, A, and P), but it is omitted in MSS B, K, and L. It is present in most modern English translations, but absent in the KJV. Peter uses this phrase often in 1 Peter (cf. 1Pe_2:15; 1Pe_3:17; 1Pe_4:2-3; 1Pe_4:19). Therefore, it was probably original.
▣ "examples" See Special Topic following.
1Pe_5:4 "the Chief Shepherd" Peter's terminology for Christ as Shepherd (cf. 1Pe_2:25) may have come from his conversation with the resurrected Lord recorded in Joh_21:15-17. Here Peter calls Christ by the compound term archi plus poimen, meaning the high or first shepherd (cf. Joh_10:1-18). In Heb_13:20 Christ is described as "the great Shepherd." All other leaders ( "elders" or "overseers") are under-shepherds.
It is possible that Peter is alluding to Isa_63:11, where Moses is called "shepherd."
▣ "appears" This is another reference to the Second Coming (cf. 1Pe_5:1; 1Pe_1:5; 1Pe_1:7; 1Pe_4:13).
▣ "unfading crown of glory" In context (i.e., 1Pe_5:1-5) this refers to the "under shepherds." Peter mixes an athletic metaphor (cf. 1Co_9:23) with a floral metaphor. This unfading crown of glory may refer to the believer's inheritance guarded by God in 1Pe_1:4. It is parallel to
1. Paul's "crown of righteousness" in 2Ti_4:8
2. James' "crown of life" in Jas_1:12
3. Jesus' "crown of life" in Rev_2:10; Rev_3:11
It is a symbol of the believer's victory in the battle against sin, self, as well as their patient, faithful suffering for Christ's sake.
1Pe_5:5 "you younger men" In Jewish society a man was considered young until forty years of age. There was to be no generation gap or warfare within the believing community, but mutual respect (i.e., "likewise" of 1Pe_5:5).
▣ "be subject to your elders" This is an aorist passive imperative describing a settled manner of life. The context implies that the "elders" of 1Pe_5:1 are the same as the "elders" of 1Pe_5:5. However, "younger" must reflect an age contrast (cf. 1Ti_5:1, which refers to an older person, while 1Ti_5:17 refers to a church leader). See Special Topic: Submission at 1Pe_2:13.
▣ "and all of you" Peter is moving from admonitions to church leaders and other men of the congregation to all members of the church (cf. Eph_5:21). It is crucial that believers understand their personal responsibility for peace and unity in the fellowship (cf. Eph_4:2-3).
▣ "clothe yourselves" This is an aorist middle imperative. Putting on and taking off clothing is a biblical idiom for believers' ethical lifestyles (cf. Job_29:14; Psa_109:29; Isa_61:10; Eph_4:22; Eph_4:24-25; Eph_4:31). They are to put on the characteristics of God and strip themselves of any competitive spirit.
The Greek term for "clothe" is literally "gird." It is possible that Peter is reflecting on Jesus' actions in the upper room, recorded in Joh_13:2-11 (Jesus girds Himself with a slave's apron and washes the disciples' feet). Peter had seen true humility and now calls on believers to emulate Christ (cf. Php_2:8; Jas_4:10).
▣ "humility" This is a compound term of "humility" and "mind." See note at 1Pe_3:8.
▣ "toward one another" This is an emphasis on community (cf. 1Pe_3:9; Eph_5:21). Believers are given (and gifted, cf. 1Co_12:7) for one another. We stand or fall together!
▣ "for God is opposed to the proud, but gives Grace to the humble" This is a quote from Pro_3:34 (cf. Jas_4:6). The term "grace" is used in its OT sense of "favor."