FocusWilling and exemplary oversight
Connection to the wholePeter instructs elders to feed the flock through willing service and example rather than compulsion, gain, or domination.
interpretation 1 Peter 5:3
KJVNeither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
Read it in context
Elders charged
Start reading at 1 Peter 5:1 (1 Peter 5:1 to 1 Peter 5:4).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
Peter instructs elders to feed the flock through willing service and example rather than compulsion, gain, or domination.
- 5:1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
- 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
- 5:3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
- 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Peter the apostle is the named author. Silvanus is associated with the letter's delivery or composition in the closing statement; his precise role is not fully explained. Biblical references: 1 Peter 1:1; 1 Peter 5:12. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (1 Peter 5:1–5:14): Peter first addresses elders as a fellow elder, then younger members and the whole community, ending with greetings. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? The elect strangers scattered through Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia: Christian communities facing suffering in Asia Minor. Biblical references: 1 Peter 1:1; 1 Peter 4:12. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Elders charged. Read 1 Peter 5:1 through 1 Peter 5:4 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? Peter instructs elders to feed the flock through willing service and example rather than compulsion, gain, or domination. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The letter addresses believers facing trials and speaks of Christ's revelation as their hope. It gives no calendar date. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The opening names regions of dispersion. The greeting from Babylon should be reported as written; identifying it with another city is an interpretation. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Elders charged (1 Peter 5:1 to 1 Peter 5:4). Start reading at 1 Peter 5:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Christ's suffering, resurrection, and example ground the exhortation. The baptism statement in chapter 3 should be read with its own qualification and its reference to Jesus' resurrection. See 1 Peter 1:3, 1 Peter 2:21, 1 Peter 3:21, 1 Peter 5:13. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Live faithfully and do good under pressure, entrusting judgment to God. Instructions about suffering do not make wrongdoing by those who cause it righteous. interpretation
Cited: 1 Peter 5:1, 1 Peter 5:4, 1 Peter 1:3, 1 Peter 2:21, 1 Peter 3:21, 1 Peter 5:13
Who wrote it, and how we know
Peter the apostle
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe letter names Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, and mentions Silvanus as the one who wrote it.
1 Peter 1:11 Peter 5:12
Early traditionUniform early tradition names Peter.
What is debatedSome critical scholars question the polished Greek, though the letter itself credits Silvanus.
Related passages
- as Ezek 34:4 Matt 20:25-26 Matt 23:8-10 Mark 10:42-45 Luke 22:24-27 1 Cor 3:5,9 2 Cor 1:24 2 Cor 4:5
- heritage 1 Pet 2:9 Deut 32:9 Ps 33:12 Ps 74:2 Mic 7:14 Acts 20:28
- but 1 Cor 11:11 Phil 3:17 Phil 4:9 1 Thess 1:5-6 2 Thess 3:9 1 Tim 4:12 Titus 2:7
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
1 Peter 5
Peter addresses scattered believers in the regions named in the opening. Their hope in Jesus' resurrection is joined to holiness, honourable conduct, and endurance in suffering; the letter does not treat suffering as proof that God has abandoned them.
1 Peter 1:1 1 Peter 1:3 1 Peter 1:15
Humility and vigilance
1 Peter 5:5–11FocusCasting care and resisting the adversary
Connection to the wholeThe community is called to humility, trust, and steadfast resistance, with suffering placed alongside God's promise to establish His people.
interpretation The closing testimony
1 Peter 5:12–14FocusStand in this grace
Connection to the wholePersonal greetings and Peter's stated purpose call the readers to stand in the grace about which he has written.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
1 Peter
Peter addresses scattered believers in the regions named in the opening. Their hope in Jesus' resurrection is joined to holiness, honourable conduct, and endurance in suffering; the letter does not treat suffering as proof that God has abandoned them.
1 Peter 1:1 1 Peter 1:3 1 Peter 1:15
A living hope
1 Peter 1:1–12FocusResurrection and salvation
Connection to the wholeThanksgiving places the readers' present trials within their hope and the salvation announced to them.
interpretation A holy and built-together people
1 Peter 1:13–2:10FocusNew birth, obedience, and identity
Connection to the wholeThe hope leads into holiness, love, and the image of believers coming to Christ as living stones.
interpretation Honourable conduct
1 Peter 2:11–3:12FocusLife among others and within households
Connection to the wholePeter applies the calling to public conduct, service, marriage, and the community's manner toward one another.
interpretation Suffering with faithfulness
1 Peter 3:13–4:19FocusChrist's example and God's judgment
Connection to the wholeThe letter addresses opposition by directing believers toward Christ and toward continued doing of good under trial.
interpretation FocusHumility, vigilance, and grace
Connection to the wholeFinal instructions to elders and the church join mutual humility with watchfulness and steadfast resistance to the adversary.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.