Articles
Elders Among Us - 1Peter 5
Elders Among Us - 1Peter 5
As Peter closes this letter, he instructs the brethren concerning elders. As Luke did in reporting Paul’s meeting with the elders/shepherds/overseers of Ephesus, so Peter refers to them in same words. They are elders by way of age and experience, they are shepherds by way of their work and relationship to the congregation/flock that is among them. They are overseers (bishops) in their function to the brethren.
This was to be the norm among the churches as the apostles ‘appointed elders in every church’ (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5) and a church without elders needed such to “set in order what remains’ (Titus 1:5).
Such work and function is to be a voluntary action on the part of the elders. As Paul would say that “they desire the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do” (1Tim. 3:1). Such work is desired in order to be of a service to the Lord and to HIS people. Hence, it can not come from a desire of domineering and lording it over the people. They are the LORD’S people and the work of shepherding them is an act of service to our Lord who is the CHIEF SHEPHERD.
Shepherds need to see how the Lord dealt with the shepherds in the Old Testament that misused and abused their position of leadership (Ezek. 34). This is a serious and grave responsibility that such men take upon themselves.
The younger men, and hence all of the congregation, were to be submissive to the leading, guiding, and teaching of such shepherds. They were to “17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you” (Hebrews 13:17).
Hugh DeLong
