1 Peter 5:3 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters

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1 Peter 5:3

Comments

The elders are certainly not to be ‘lords over God’s heritage,’ dominating the people, speaking from their own authority, giving their own opinions and their own constructions. No, they teach from the word of God. God is the ruler of his people through his word, and if they are teaching elders, they are to explain it and to present it to the people. This is something which the Lord specifically warned the apostles about, ‘But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many’ (Mark 10:42-45).The word ‘ensamples’ is an old-fashioned word, that it has lost its meaning today. What is the difference between an ensample, the old-fashioned term, and an example? An ensample usually translated from a Greek word, which indicates a die or a template. The elders in the church, in fact all the older people come to that, whether they are office bearers or not, are supposed to be an exact model for others to follow: an ensample, a pattern, a model for exact reproduction in others. That is a heavy responsibility and a heavy duty, whereas, an example means a general rule to be followed. It is less precise. The modern versions tend to go for example, but example isn’t strong enough. Unfortunately ensample has passed from use and isn’t understood anymore. Here it is: ‘Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.’Again, Peter makes the same point. It is the flock of God, and here it is ‘God’s heritage.’ Actually, the Greek doesn’t have the word ‘God’s’ in it, but it is clear that the reason elders are not be lords over the church is that the church already has another Lord. You can see the word is in italics and the word translated heritage is actually in the plural, so we could say the word ‘God’s’ is necessary: neither as being lords over God’s lots, his portions, his heritages, as though each congregation is seen here as if it is an eternal inheritance for God. All the time Peter is saying, ‘You elders, you preachers, you are answerable to God. This is something precious to him, a congregation, which he is making for his eternal fellowship and possession. You have got to be very careful what you do and how you work.

Application

In the church the voluntary principle prevails and the value of the response of the members is tied to the fact that all their service to the Lord is offered as a free will offering. In the Old Testament, what was not offered willingly was not acceptable to the Lord (Exodus 25:2; 1 Chronicles 29:9). Love cannot be forced out of a person but must flow spontaneously from their hearts, and only what is offered in love is acceptable to God. Therefore those who rule the household of God must do so gently, not trying to force obedience, but using gentle persuasion to stir up the willingness of believers. The opposite is true in the world where there is often little care about the motivation for obedience as long as people comply with the rules. Under these circumstances, rulers do not worry about the niceties of persuading the people to respond willingly, but they work in the way that seems most efficient to them and compel obedience whether it is willing or not. Not so in the church, for we are dealing with a group of people that belongs not to us, but to the Lord. The church is his heritage.

The right way to persuade the people to obey the Lord is by ensample, for a pattern commends itself gently and leaves room for others to imitate. It makes clear what is the standard, and it shows the reward that comes from God for following the path of faith (1 Timothy 3:13). Ensample is free from hypocrisy because it only asks others to do what it has done first. Ensample shows that obedience is possible and that the people are not being asked to do what is unreasonable. Ensample teaches that it is the same rule for those who are in office as for those who are members of the church. Such a leadership does not conduct itself proudly but sympathises with the people, not asking more of them than it is prepared to give itself.

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1 Peter 5:3 Commentary and Bible Study