Feed the Flock of God 1 Peter 5:2

Peter the apostle “exhorted” the “elders” who were among the “scattered” Christians because he also was “an elder” and “partaker of the glory that shall be revealed”. In chapter five and verse two of his letter, Peter told the “elders” to “feed the flock of God” and to take the “oversight” of them where we read:

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;

The verse begins, “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof,...” Peter began with the word, “Feed” which means “tend to, keep, rule and govern” “the flock” which refers to “a group of Christ's disciples or bodies of Christian churches presided over by elders” “of God” which is “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “which is among you” or “by or with the Christians”, “taking the oversight” or “looking to diligently, inspecting, overseeing, looking after and caring for while being ware” of them. These “elders” were to not only “tend to, rule over and govern” the churches, but they were also to “diligently look after and care for” the church members as well.

The verse continues, “...thereof not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;” Peter went on to add, “thereof not” or “no or not lest” “by constraint” which means “by force or compulsiveness”, “but” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was just stated, “moreover, nonetheless and notwithstanding” “willingly” or “voluntarily, willfully and of one's own accord”, “not for filthy lucre” which is “not for sordidly or eagerness for base gain”, “but of a ready mind” which refers to “alacrity, willingness, smartness and liveliness”. The “elders” were to “feed, govern over and look after” the church members in a “willing” manner rather than by “force or constraint”. They also were not to be in ministry for the “money or sordid, base gain” but were to be “willingly” ready in their “minds” to care for their people.

When we meditate upon Peter's words, we notice straightaway there are specific instructions to “elders”. These are the “pastors, bishops, presbyters and overseers” of the church, and they are to “feed” their people and “tend to” them as well. This is to be done with “willing” hearts and “minds” without any other outside motives or incentives. Jesus Christ is the head of His church, and He has entrusted the “overseeing” of His “flock” to “elders”, and whether we are in these positions of leadership or under them, we are to regard their requirements wholeheartedly. May the Lord Jesus help us to fulfill our roles, and be obedient to that which He has given to us to do.

Next time Peter tells the “elders” to be “examples” and not “lords” over the “flock of God”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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