1 Peter 5:3

5:1-4 The apostle Peter does not command, but exhorts. He does not claim power to rule over all pastors and churches. It was the peculiar honour of Peter and a few more, to be witnesses of Christ's sufferings; but it is the privilege of all true Christians to partake of the glory that shall be revealed. These poor, dispersed, suffering Christians, were the flock of God, redeemed to God by the great Shepherd, living in holy love and communion, according to the will of God. They are also dignified with the title of God's heritage or clergy; his peculiar lot, chosen for his own people, to enjoy his special favour, and to do him special service. Christ is the chief Shepherd of the whole flock and heritage of God. And all faithful ministers will receive a crown of unfading glory, infinitely better and more honourable than all the authority, wealth, and pleasure of the world.

1 Peter 5:3-4 . Neither as being lords, or lording it, over God’s heritage — Behaving in a haughty, domineering manner, as though you had dominion over their consciences. From this prohibition it would seem that, in the apostle’s days, the bishops or elders were beginning to assume that dominion over their flocks, which in after times they carried to the greatest height of tyranny. Or St. Peter, by inspiration, foreseeing what would happen, condemned in this prohibition the tyranny which in after times the clergy exercised. But being ensamples to the flock — Setting them an example worthy of their imitation; and therefore, being of a meek and lowly, kind and condescending mind, and be having toward them with such gentle, tender solicitude for their salvation, and such an entire freedom from the very appearance either of avarice or ambition, that you may gain their confidence, and win their affections. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear — To judge the world; ye — Who have discharged your duty to your flocks faithfully; shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away — A crown which shall bloom in immortal beauty and vigour, when all the transitory glories of this world are withered, like a fading flower. In the original expression, αμαραντινον , amaranthine, there is an allusion to the crowns of green leaves and herbs bestowed by the ancients as the rewards of military prowess, or of victory in the games.

These, together with the honours of which they were the symbols, soon faded away; but the crown of glory, the reward to be given to faithful shepherds, will never fade, being a crown of righteousness, 2 Timothy 4:8 , and a crown of life, James 1:12 . The word rendered heritage in the singular number, properly signifies a lot. But because the land of Canaan was divided among the Israelites by lot, the word came to signify, a heritage. Wherefore, believers being God’s people, or portion, the different churches or congregations are called here God’s heritages. In process of time, the name κληρος , clergy, was appropriated to the ministers of the gospel, because, being considered as the successors of the Levitical priests, they were regarded as God’s lot or portion.

As lording it (κατακυριεύοντες) See Matthew 20:25; Acts 19:16. Other words are used for the exercise of legitimate authority in the church: προΐ́σταμαι, to be over (1 Thessalonians 5:12; 1 Timothy 5:17); ποιμαίνω, as 1 Peter 5:2, tend. But this carries the idea of high-handed rule. Heritage (κλήρων) Plural. Κλἤρος means a lot. See on inheritance, 1 Peter 1:4. Froth the kindred adjective κληρικός comes the English cleric, contracted into clerk, which in ecclesiastical writings originally signified a minister; either as being chosen by lot like Matthias, or as being the lot or inheritance of God. Hence Wycliffe translates the passage, "neither as having lordship in the clergie." As in the Middle Ages the clergy were almost the only persons who could write, the word clerk came to have one of its common modern meanings. The word here, though its interpretation is somewhat disputed, seems to refer to the several congregations - the lots or charges assigned to the elders. Compare προσεκληρώθησαν, were added as disciples; A. V., consorted with (Acts 17:4). Rev. renders charge. Why not charges? Examples (τύποι) Peter uses three different terms for a pattern or model: ὑπογραμμός, a writing-copy (1 Peter 2:21); ὑπόδειγμα, for which classical writers prefer παράδειγμα, an architect's plan or a sculptor's or painter's model (2 Peter 2:6); τύπος (see on 1 Peter 3:21), of which our word type is nearly a transcript.

The word primarily means the impression left by a stroke (τύπτω, to strike). Thus John 20:25, "the print of the nails." Used of the stamp on coin; the impression of any engraving or hewn work of art; a monument or statue; the figures of the tabernacle of Moloch and of the star Remphan (Acts 7:43). Generally, an image or form, always with a statement of the object; and hence the kindred meaning of a pattern or model. See Acts 23:25; Romans 5:14; Philippians 3:17; Hebrews 8:5.

1 Peter 5:3 . Ὡς κατακυριεύοντες , as being lords over ) who only give orders with a proud mind, and not with humility, and who oppress. In later times the presbyters took upon themselves to bear rule; whence the title Signore , especially in Italy, from Senior .— τῶν κληρων , inheritances ) In the plural: of the flock , in the singular The flock is one, under one Chief Shepherd, Christ; but the portions ( κλῆροι ) are many, according to the number of places or overseers. But the style closely resembles a Mimesis:[39] for the congregation is not the peculiar property of the elder, but he who lords it , treats it as though it were his lot or property . Κλῆρος signifies a lot ; then a portion of the Church which falls to an elder as his pastoral charge; then the pastor’s office; then the pastors; then the other clergy . How great an alteration[40] is there, and a falling off in the meaning at the last! Comp. Note on Chrysostom de Sacerd., p. 504.— ΤΎΠΟΙ , examples ) The purest obedience is obtained by example, [such as you will hardly see rendered by the most keen of pastors “for filthy lucre,” or “lords.”—V. g.] Such frank intercourse subdues the itching desire for rule. [39] See Append. on MIMESIS.—E. [40] See Append. on METALEPSIS.—E.

Neither as being lords; not exercising any such lordship or dominion over the people, as temporal lords and magistrates exercise over their subjects, Matthew 20:25,26 , &c.; Luke 22:25 : compare 2 Corinthians 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 Psalm 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, Philippians 3:17 2 Thessalonians 3:9 Titus 2:7 .

3. being lords—Greek, "lording it": implying pride and oppression. "Not that we have dominion over your faith." God's heritage—Greek, "the inheritances," that is, the portions of the Church committed severally to your pastoral charge [Bengel]. It is explained by "the flock" in the next clause. However, in 1Pe 5:2, "flock of God which is among you," answering to "(God's) heritages" (plural to express the sheep who are God's portion and inheritance, De 32:9) committed to you, favors English Version. The flock, as one whole, is God's heritage, or flock in the singular. Regarded in relation to its component sheep, divided among several pastors, it is in the plural "heritages." Compare Ac 1:17, 25, "part" (the same Greek). Bernard of Clairvaux, wrote to Pope Eugene, "Peter could not give thee what he had not: what he had he gave: the care over the Church, not dominion." being—Greek, "becoming." ensamples—the most effective recommendation of precept (1Ti 4:12). Tit 2:7, "patterns." So Jesus. "A monstrosity it is to see the highest rank joined with the meanest mind, the first seat with the lowest life, a grandiloquent tongue with a lazy life, much talking with no fruit" [Bernard].

3 . neither as being lords over God’s heritage ] Better, not lording it over the heritages . There is no word in the Greek answering to “God’s,” and it is not wanted to complete the sense. The word for “lording” implies an authority exercised both wrongfully and oppressively. Ambition, the love of power for the sake of power, is, from the Apostle’s standpoint, as great a hindrance to true pastoral work as avarice. The whole history of the Church, in particular the history of the papacy, as e.g. in the history of Gregory VII., shews how fatally it has worked on souls that had conquered, or had never known, the baser temptation. Warnings against such ambition we find again and again in our Lord’s teaching ( Matthew 20:25-28 ; Luke 22:24-26 ; Mark 9:34-35 ). A memorable picture of the working of such a temper in St Paul’s rivals at Corinth meets us in 2 Corinthians 12:20 . The word for “heritages” (the Greek noun ( κλῆρος ) is in the plural) means primarily a “lot;” then, as in Deuteronomy 10:9 ; Deuteronomy 12:12 , the “portion assigned by lot.” So Jehovah is said to be the “portion” or “heritage” of the Levites ( Deuteronomy 10:9 ). Here the idea would seem to be that each separate Ecclesia was thought of as the “portion” of the presbyter who watched over it. The later history of the word presents a curious series of transitions. (1) From the congregations it was transferred to the presbyters, as being, it was supposed, in a special sense, the “portion” or “heritage” of God.

They accordingly were described as the clerus , the clerici , of the Church, and hence we get the common words, “clergy,” and “clerical.” (2) From the educational superiority of the clerical order in the Middle Ages, the word came to be applied to any person of a higher than average culture. So Chaucer speaks of Homer as a “great clerke,” and the legal phrase “benefit of clergy” retains a trace of the same meaning. (3) From this elevation it has come to be applied, as by a facilis descensus , to the lower forms of culture, and the “parish clerk” and the copying “clerk” at his desk, present the fallen greatness of the word that was once so noble. but being ensamples to the flock ] Comp. the word and the thought in 2 Thessalonians 3:9 and Php 3:17 . It is obvious that the teaching of the verse does not condemn the exercise of all spiritual authority as such, but only its excesses and abuses; but in doing this, it points out also that the influence of example is more powerful than any authority, and to seek after that influence is the best safeguard against the abuse of power.

Verse 3. - Neither as being lords over God's heritage ; rather, as in the Revised Version, neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you . The κατά ιν τηε verb κατακυριέω is not only intensive, it implies something of scorn and tyranny or even of hostility, as also in καταδυναστεύω ( James 2:6 ); comp. Matthew 20:25 . The literal rendering of the clause is, "lording it over the lots." The Authorized Version, following Beza, supplies τοῦ Θεοῦ , "God's heritage." But if this were the apostle's meaning, he would surely have used the singular, κλῆρος , "the lot or portion of God;" and it is very unlikely that he would have left the most important word to be supplied. Some commentators take κλῆροι in its modern sense, of the clergy, as if St. Peter was commanding the bishops not to tyrannize over the inferior clergy. But this view involves an anachronism; the word had not acquired this meaning in St. Peter's time. It is clearly best to understand it of the lots or portions assigned to individual presbyters. The word κλῆρος originally meant a "lot" ( Matthew 27:35 ; Acts 1:26 ), then portions assigned by casting lots, as the possessions of the tribes of Israel ( Joshua 18 and 19), then any portion or inheritance however obtained; thus in Deuteronomy 10:9 the Lord is said to be the Inheritance κλῆρος of the Levites.