Lesson 74

Study of First Peter Chapter 5

Review:

The duty of the P/T to shepherd the flock

5:2 Shepherd the flock of God among you, not under compulsion but willingly according to the standard of God (expressed in the Word) and not for dishonorable gain but with eagerness.

5:3 Continues the characteristics of the P/T

nor yet (mhde,) as lording it over those allotted to your charge,

What we have here is a warning then to the P/T to not abuse the authority granted to him.

Clearly the congregation served by the P/T is in view when he says those allotted to your charge

- There is no verb here at all just (o` klh/roj) which is used 3 ways

- Used here in (1 Pet 5.3) to refer to the P/T's appointed flock, that would be those in a given geographical location that choose to assemble together to study the Word of God.

God has assigned the various portions of His precious possession to the P/T's personal care. That they are precious in the eyes of God was noted in 1 Pet 2:4.

but proving to be examples to the flock.

All who are in any leadership position in the church should realize that the requirement to live a life worthy of imitation is not optional-it is a part of the job, challenging though it may be.

5:3 And not as bullying those allotted to your charge but becoming examples (a tupos) to the flock.

Summary 5:2-3

1. The P/T's motivation and focus must always be in line with the Word of God.

2. Operating on a false motivation will result in malnourished and disoriented believers, not prepared to handle to handle the tests of life.

3. To study and teach must absorb the P/T's thinking and energy.

4. The P/T must not do his job as a communicator of doctrine as unto people.

5. His occupation with Christ and his love for the Word must spur him on to teach the whole counsel of God.

6. This includes an eagerness to consistently teach and witness the resultant transformation of his kleros, his flock, as they apply the divine viewpoint in their lives.

7. Peter exhorts the P/T that materialism lust or dishonorable gain must not in anyway color his motives or objectives in the ministry.

8. Power lust must not lead him to abuse the authority of the office entrusted to him.

9. There are 2 passages that give us insight into the areas that a P/T is to be an example to the flock. 1 Tim 4:12,16; 2 Tim 2:22-26

5:4 The reward for the P/T who fulfills responsibilities of his gift

And when the Chief Shepherd appears

The when reflects the circumstantial ptc. (fanero,w) aorist ptc to appear or be revealed; here refers to the rapture when we as Church age saints will see Him in all of His glory;

you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

- This takes us to where? The judgment seat of Christ!

The point here is that the P/T will be paid back, that is rewarded, for his faithfulness in fulfilling his role as a P/T in whatever niche God places him.

the unfading crown of glory describes the specific reward for the P/T

5:4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.