1 Peter 5:2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve;
Peter exhorts the elders to be shepherds of God’s flock. In today’s terms, we would say that they are to be “pastors” of the “church.” These words from this verse give interesting images. Shepherds were common in many places in the first century Greco-Roman Empire, including Israel. The Bible has many references to shepherds, including King David and Jesus who is our great Shepherd. Jesus as the Shepherd sets the standard for all human shepherds. John 10 gives many descriptions of Jesus the Good Shepherd. This chapter could be studied along with this verse. We should not read into this verse the modern idea of a “pastor” of a local church. This idea can be implied from this verse, but Peter is referring to those who are older and wiser in the church, not to an ordained minister.
It is noteworthy also that the flock is God’s, not the elders’. We are the sheep of his pasture (Psalm 100:3). Those who care for God’s church as pastors need to realize that they are not “our” people but God’s. That can have several affects upon us. One is it takes the pressure off because we know that God is in charge. It is his program, not ours. Another is that it helps keep us humble because we know God is in charge.
The “pastors” should watch over people. The pastor’s job is the spiritual welfare of the people. There is no higher need than this. This must be a willing ministry, not done out of compulsion or obligation. Elders care because God has called them to this. They should not do their ministry of caring for money. The Bible talks about how those who lead the church should be compensated so they can give more time to it, implying that they are not able to work outside jobs as easily because of the time demands on caring for people. They serve people because they love them and see caring for God’s people as a privilege.
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