1 Peter 5:3

neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves ensamples to the flock.

This verse is somewhat difficult; for, as Mason said, "The English version here is somewhat too strict for the Greek and for the sense."[15] The New Testament clearly teaches that in a sense (limited, of course), the elders are "lords" or rulers over their congregations; and what is prohibited here is not the exercise of their lawful authority, but the improper exercise of it. Zerr has this:

The Englishman's Greek New Testament renders it: "Not as exercising lordship over your possessions." ... If a man considers the church as his own, then he is indeed likely to rule in an improper manner.[16]

Thus it is not to be thought here that "Peter was commanding the bishops not to tyrannize over the inferior clergy."[17] It is from the word here rendered "lots" or "charge allotted" that the English word "clergy"[18] is derived; but the passage carries no such meaning.

The power motive is present in every church, and there is "no corruption so odious as that which in public purports to be benevolent and disinterested."[19] The desire for power is an ever-present threat to every congregation on earth.

[15] A. J. Mason, Ellicott's Bible Commentary, Vol. VII (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1959), p. 433.

[16] E. M. Zerr, op. cit., p. 266.

[17] B. C. Caffin, op. cit., p. 207.

[18] J. R. Dummelow, op. cit., p. 1047.

[19] Elmer G. Homrighausen, The Interpreter's Bible, Vol. XII (New York and Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1967), p. 151.