1 Peter 5:1-4 meaning

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Peter makes a final application to the elders of the church. He reminds them he is also an elder, and a witness of Christ’s sufferings and His glorious transfiguration. Church elders are not to lead with bad motives to exploit the church. They are instead to shepherd the church with the right motives as good examples of servant leaders. Then when Christ comes they have the promise that He will greatly reward them.

1 Peter 5:1-4 now applies to church leaders the previous lesson from the thought unit of 1 Peter 3:18 - 4:19, that believers should endure unjust persecution by trusting God. He is our Creator who is faithful and will keep His promises to greatly reward us when we endure unjust persecution. In this chapter, Peter will make specific reference to the rewards God will give to those who are faithful.

An application drawn from the experience of undeserved suffering by Christians in Chapter 4 is indicated by the transition word that begins verse 1: Therefore. Peter now says Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed (v. 1).

The word elders translates the Greek word “presbyterous” from which we get our English word, “presbyterian.” “Presbyterous” is used to describe local church leaders that were appointed to that office (Acts 14:23). The word “presbyterous” is used frequently in the New Testament, often to refer to those who were leaders in the Jewish community (for example: Matthew 15:2, 16:21, 26:3).

Another Greek word used as a synonym for “presbyterous” is “episkipos.” We can see these used interchangeably in Titus 1:5, 7. “Episkopos” is translated in various translations as “overseer,” “bishop,” or “guardian.” “Episkopos” seems to have its roots in application of leaders within Greek culture, whereas “presbyterous” originates in Jewish culture. In each instance, the idea is simply of those having authority, in this case as leaders of the church. In this instance, Peter’s use of “presbyterous” is understandable given that this letter is written to a Jewish audience (1 Peter 1:1, 12).

Peter identifies himself as your fellow elder, indicating that he was an elder together with them. The main difference is Peter was a witness of the suffering of Christ, meaning he was personally present during Jesus’s earthly ministry, including when Jesus suffered and died.

Peter also describes himself as a partaker also of the glory to be revealed. Here he testifies that he participated in seeing the future glorified Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration (Luke 9:30-32).

The fact that Peter witnessed the sufferings of Christ and saw a preview of the future glory that will be revealed established his authority to say all that had been said in the previous thought unit of 1 Peter 3:18 - 4:19. Peter has been asserting that believers should rejoice when persecuted unjustly, because if they do they are following in the footsteps of Jesus and will share in His glory that is to be revealed, referring to the great reward Jesus has for those who follow Him in enduring suffering from the world.

The word glory is “doxa” in Greek and refers to the essence of something being observed, as in 1 Corinthians 15:41 where the moon, stars, and sun are said to have different glory (because they have a different essence that can be observed). Jesus’s essence is as the “Son” over all creation (Hebrews 1:5). He has been given all authority in heaven and on earth because of His faithful witness and obedience to the Father (Philippians 2:8-10, Matthew 28:18).

Jesus has restored the right of humans to reign in the earth, having been “crowned” with the “glory and honor” of having dominion over the earth through the “suffering of death” (Hebrews 2:9-10). Believers who overcome as Jesus overcame and suffer the sufferings of Christ will share in the glory of His reign over the earth as a servant leader (Revelation 3:21, Romans 8:17b, Hebrews 2:10, Matthew 25:21).

Peter’s assertion that suffering unjustly for Christ will lead to great reward in the next life is something he had observed firsthand. Peter saw Jesus suffer and he also saw Jesus glorified when He was transfigured. He bears witness to this and is passing along his testimony of what he saw.

Peter instructs his follow elders to Shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness (v. 2).

The primary function of local church elders is to shepherd the flock, meaning to lead, feed and protect the flock. The word flock refers to the local church members. At the time 1 Peter was written it is likely that most churches were assemblies of believers that met in homes (Romans 16:5, 1 Corinthians 16:19, Colossians 4:15).

The elders are also responsible for exercising oversight. The phrase exercising oversight translates a single Greek word “episkopeo” from which we get the English word “episcopal.” A form of “episkopos” is used interchangeably with “presbyteros” in Titus 1:5, 7 to refer to a church elder. Both “episkopos” and “presbyteros” refer to leaders, and in this context the flock being led is the local church.

In this context being an elder exercising oversight means to accept responsibility. The elder who is an overseer of the local church is to provide leadership as well as protection, like a shepherd would do for a flock of sheep. Sheep need to be led to a place where they can flourish. They also need protection from predators. As Paul warned the elders of the Ephesian church, elders should be on guard to protect the church from false teachers who Paul called “wolves” whose intent is to devour the flock (Acts 20:29-30).

Because of the high-level responsibility held by elders as overseers, these church leaders are to serve with the right motives. Three sets of motives are appropriate for elders/overseers:

Not under compulsion, means not by pressure from others, but voluntary, referring to an act of free will, according to the will of God, indicating a submission to God’s will.

And not for sordid gain, meaning not motivated by money or status (Titus 1:7), but with eagerness, referring to being motivated by a willing desire to serve.

Nor as lording over those allotted to your charge (v. 3), meaning not leading as a tyrant, as was common in the culture (Matthew 20:25). They were to lead the believers God placed under their authority as servant leaders—but proving to be examples to the flock. They were to teach by example, showing those in the church how to live through their actions.

In asserting that elders should not serve under compulsion, Peter continues a theme that biblical submission is voluntary. Whether it is husbands and wives submitting by serving one another (1 Peter 3:1, 7-8), employees serving employers (1 Peter 2:18), or people submitting to governing authorities (1 Peter 2:13), the biblical admonition applies—submission is something to be chosen. In choosing to properly submit, believers are serving God by submitting to Him.

This principle runs throughout scripture. Rather than seeking to exploit, the Bible exhorts those in positions of authority to love one another as themselves (Leviticus 19:18). This is the path to mutual benefit and societal flourishing. Moses set forth God’s commands as a directive the Israelites were able to choose, or not (Deuteronomy 30:15). God made the consequences clear, that following His ways lead to life, and disobeying His ways leads to death (Deuteronomy 30:19-20). This is the same basic proposition Peter sets forth in this letter. Voluntarily choosing to follow in God’s ways leads to life and blessing.

Consistent with this biblical theme and with the theme of this letter, Peter next asserts that when elders properly take on the mantle of responsibility and shepherd their flocks well, with the right motives, then they gain great reward. Peter reminds them that if they shepherd well, then when the Chief Shepherd appears you will receive the unfading crown of glory (v. 4).

The Lord Jesus Christ is the Chief Shepherd (John 10:11, 14, 1 Peter 2:25).

The time when the Chief Shepherd appears is in the future because when He appears you will receive (The verb will receive is future tense). The precise future time of Christ’s second coming is a mystery (1 Corinthians 15:51-52), but it could come at any time (1 John 2:28, 3:2). This tells us that the judgment seat of Christ will occur when Jesus appears, when He returns to earth again (Acts 1:11). It is then that believers will receive rewards for deeds done while living on earth (2 Corinthians 5:10).

What faithful elders will receive as a reward for faithful service when Christ appears is the unfading crown of glory. This refers to a specific reward given by Jesus at the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10).

This reward is described three ways:

Crown - translates the Greek word “stephanos.” It can refer to the victor’s crown, a wreath made of foliage awarded to the winner of athletic contests.

In 1 Corinthians 9:25, Paul says winning at life is like winning a “wreath” (“stephanos”) received by winners of athletic contests.

In 2 Timothy 2:5, the verb form of “stephanos,” “stephanoo,” is translated “win the prize.” It is literally “be crowned.” 2 Timothy speaks of enduring faithfully to gain rewards in this life, including reigning with Christ for being faithful (2 Timothy 2:12).

Revelation says the one who “overcomes” as Jesus overcame will gain the reward of sharing in His authority (Revelation 3:21). The Greek word “nikao”—translated “overcomer”—can also be translated “victor.” To live as a faithful witness, overcoming unjust persecution, is to win at life.

A “stephanos” or crown can also refer to being endowed with authority, as a king being crowned indicates authority. Hebrews 2:7 speaks of God’s original endowment of authority for humanity to reign as servants over the earth as being “crowned” with “glory and honor.” Humans apparently lost this right to Satan due to the Fall of Man (John 16:11). Jesus restored that authority “through the suffering of death” (Hebrews 2:9, Philippians 2:8-9). He was “crowned” with the “glory and honor” of being granted authority over heaven and earth (Hebrews 2:9, Matthew 28:18).

Paul wrote that all who live in eager anticipation of Christ’s appearing will be granted the “crown of righteousness” as a reward (2 Timothy 4:8). To live in eager anticipation of Christ’s return indicates being prepared for His return by living as faithful witnesses.

Unfading - means this crown of reward and authority is permanent. This compares to any earthly reward or authority, which is fleeting. Earthly glory fades, and authority in this world is always temporary. As Peter emphasized at the beginning of this letter, living as a faithful witness, enduring suffering for Jesus, gains rewards that will never fade away (1 Peter 1:4). Contrasting to earthly glory, the glory promised by God for those who walk in obedience as faithful witnesses will be unfading—it will endure forever (1 Corinthians 2:9, Luke 12:21, 33, Revelation 2:26-27, 3:21).

Of glory - referring to what the crown represents, the glory Jesus Christ will give to reward those who are faithful witnesses for Him. Part of His glory is to restore humans to have dominion over the earth in service and harmony to God (Hebrews 2:5-10, Revelation 2:26-27, 3:21). There are other crowns mentioned as rewards for faithfulness such as the crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8), the crown of life (James 1:13), and the crown of exaltation (1 Thessalonians 2:19).

Peter’s point in this section is to motivate local church elders to shepherd the church with right motives and as good examples. He provides the motivation of a promise that when Jesus, the Chief Shepherd returns, He will reward them for their faithful service (Revelation 22:12).

The inference is that believers and leaders who are unfaithful in their service will lose rewards (Revelation 3:11). Rewards for faithful service can be lost in whole or in part (2 John 1:8).

This serves as a relevant application to church leaders today. If any accepts a position of authority in the church with a motive to gain money, prestige, or power, they are simply creating a higher level of accountability and making themselves more vulnerable to loss (James 3:1, 1 Corinthians 3:14-15).

All believers will be held accountable when Christ, the Chief Shepherd appears—when He returns to earth a second time (Acts 1:11, 2 Corinthians 25:10). Church leaders will gain special rewards if they are true servant leaders and willingly volunteering to lead, feed, and protect the church. Living to gain rewards from Christ is wise, while living for the rewards of the world is foolish. God’s rewards are unfading, lasting for eternity, while the rewards of the world are fleeting.