1 Peter 5:4

1 Peter 5:4 ‘And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.'

‘And when' -Jesus is coming again (2 Peter 3:10). Notice that God doesn't promise elders an earthly reward. But. reward for faithful service does exist.

‘the Chief Shepherd' -A reference to Jesus Christ (John 10:11; John 10:14; John 10:16; Hebrews 13:20). Points to Note: 1. All elders are on equal footing beneath, the Chief Shepherd. Including Peter (1 Peter 5:1). 2. Every elder is accountable to Jesus Christ. They are simply His ‘under-shepherds', who are to take good care of His people. 3. Peter would certainly be offended if someone had referred to him as the Chief Shepherd over the elders of the churches.

‘you will receive' -Assuming that one has been the type of elder described in the previous verses.

‘the unfading crown of glory' -‘Unfading'-amarantinos. ”Amarantinos” -derived from the name of. flower (amaranth), which was so-called because it never withers and revives itself when moistened with water and hence was used as. symbol of immorality. ‘never-withering wreath of glory' (Wey); ‘the glorious wreath that will never fade' (Gspd). ‘Crown of glory'-(1 Corinthians 9:25; 1 Peter 1:4; 2 Timothy 4:8; James 1:12; Revelation 2:10; Revelation 3:11) ‘It is the crown of victory in the games; or military valor; the marriage wreath, or the festal garland, the conquerors crown.' (Vincent p. 667) ‘indicate the eternal honor or reputation that elders who serve well will receive from Christ…They may be despised on earth (and indeed rejected by their own neighbors), but they will be honored in heaven. And that is something well worth working and suffering for.' (Davids p. 182) ‘The idea is that what the elders receive has the quality of never corrupting or losing its brilliance and radiance.' (Hamilton p. 303)