1 Peter 5:3

Third, an elder should lead by giving an example of godly living that others can follow rather than by driving people forward with authoritarian commands (cf. 1 Timothy 4:12; 2 Thessalonians 3:9). He should be able to expect them to do as he does as well as to do what he says. The English word "clergy" derives from the Greek verb kleroo, meaning "to make a possession," here translated "allotted to your charge" (NASB).

"The shepherds are not to be little popes or petty tyrants. Matthew 20:25; 2 Corinthians 1:24.

"Peter mentions three common sins of preachers: laziness, greed, popishness, all of which are especially objectionable in days of persecution." [Note: Lenski, pp. 219, 220.]

"I made it a practice never to ask my congregation to give to any cause to which I didn’t also give. I do not think we have a right to make a demand of other folk that we are not doing ourselves." [Note: McGee, 5:712.]

"If I have any counsel for God’s shepherds today, it is this: cultivate a growing relationship with Jesus Christ, and share what He gives you with your people. That way, you will grow, and they will grow with you." [Note: Wiersbe, 2:428.]

"The effective pastor . . . must be ’among’ his people so that he can get to know them, their needs and problems; and he needs to be ’over’ his people so he can lead them and help them solve their problems. There must be no conflict between pastoring and preaching, because they are both ministries of a faithful Shepherd. The preacher needs to be a pastor so he can apply the Word to the needs of the people. The pastor needs to be a preacher so that he can have authority when he shares in their daily needs and problems. The pastor is not a religious lecturer who weekly passes along information about the Bible. He is a shepherd who knows his people and seeks to help them through the Word." [Note: Ibid., 2:429.]

Since one of the husband’s primary roles is that of shepherd of his family, it is worthwhile to read 1 Peter 5:2-3 from this perspective. A husband should shepherd his family flock by caring for their needs. He should consider this a privilege (voluntarily), he should make his family a priority (eagerness), and he should be a model of integrity (example). Certainly he should tell the members of his family that he loves them. [Note: Family Life . . ., p. 125.]

It might be profitable to read Psalms 23 and put your name in the place of the shepherd if you are an elder and or a husband.

"The flock" over which an elder ruled was probably a house-church. Each church in a town usually consisted of several house-churches at this time. [Note: See Del Birkey, The House Church: A Model for Renewing the Church, pp. 40-62.]