1 Peter 5:1-5

1 Peter 5:1 to 1 Peter 5:1  Let me then address a special word of exhortation to those of you who are “elders” in the Church. I do not wish to dictate to you as an Apostle, but to plead with you as one of yourselves, an “elder” both in office and in age. What I have said about suffering as leading to glory is a very real thing to me, for I can bear personal testimony to the sufferings of the Christ to which I have appealed, and I realize my share in the glory which is one day to be revealed. 2  Let me give you the same charge which my Master gave to me. Shepherd the flock of God which is in your midst, not as an irksome duty under a sense of compulsion, but as a labour of love; not with any sordid mercenary motives, but with eager enthusiasm. 3  Nor, again, must you domineer over the charges allotted to your care. Rather you should serve as models for the flock to imitate. 4  Then when the Chief Shepherd (the unseen partner in your pastoral work) is manifested to the world you shall receive the victor’s crown of glory, composed of flowers that cannot fade. 5  Such unassuming conduct on the part of the “elders” carries with it a corresponding claim upon those of you who are juniors to shew due submission to them. In fact, all of you, whatever your position may be, should gird yourselves with humbleness of mind to serve one another (as the Lord Jesus did at the Last Supper). For God opposes Himself to the haughty, but gives favour to those who are humble-minded.