Neither Lords but Examples 1 Peter 5:3

As Peter the apostle continued to give instructions to the “Elders” who presided over the “scattered” Christians, he included “feeding” and having “oversight” of the flock of God. In chapter five and verse three of his letter, Peter told the “elders” they were not to “lord over” but be “examples” to “God's heritage” where we read:

Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

The verse begins, “Neither as being lords over God's heritage,...” Peter began with the word, “Neither” or “and not, but not and nor” “as being lords over” or “being under one's power, subject one's self, subdue, master and hold in subjection” “God's” which refers to “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “heritage” which means “lot, inheritance, part and allotted portion”. “Elders” were not to “master over, hold in subjection or subdue” “God's Christians” who belonged to their portion of the church.

The verse goes on to say, “...but being ensamples to the flock.” Peter added the word, “but” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was just stated, “moreover, nonetheless and nevertheless” “being ensamples” which means “examples, figures, patterns, fashion and form” “to the flock” or “group of Christ's disciple and bodies of Christian (churches) presided over by elders”. Rather than “lord over” the Christians who were in the church, “Elders” were to be “examples” to them.

When we meditate upon these words of Peter, we see right away that “ministers” which means “servants” were not to subdue those whom they were overseeing. They were to be “examples” of how to live as Christians, and as they were, the people served would also follow the ways of Jesus. Let us take note of the manner in which Peter told these “elders” to lead, and whether we lead others or are being led by them, let the “example” of our Lord Jesus be our standard.

Next time Peter shares what happens “when the Chief Shepherd shall appear”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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