1 Peter 5:2-5 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre… Tend the flock of God which is among you, etc. The apostle's practical exhortation to leaders in the Church about well-doing opens up a view of - I. THEIR DUTY. "Tend" - a completer word than "feed." The word "flock suggests what tending is needful; e.g. feeding, leading, controlling, protecting, exercising the oversight." Keen and constant care. Of what sort of care he speaks, the word Peter coins to describe Christ, "chief Shepherd," eloquently tells. 1. Receive instructions from him. 2. Imitate him. II. THEIR MOTIVE. 1. This motive is dealt with negatively. (1) Not constrainedly - a warning against perfunctoriness. (2) Not covetously. "Lucre" becomes filthy if it is a motive for spiritual work. (3) Not ambitiously. Not "lording it." 2. This motive is dealt with positively. (1) Voluntariness. "Ready mind." (2) Sympathy. "Making yourselves ensamples." III. THEIR HOPE. "The crown" - the symbol of dignity. "Of glory;" not tinseled or tarnished, but unalloyed. "That fadeth not away." Amaranthine; imperishable. We are advancing to such a coronation if we are true workers for Christ. IV. THEIR SPIRIT. 1. Mutual subjection. "Be subject," etc. 2. Perfect humility. "Gird yourselves with humility;" persistent and constant lowliness of temper. V. THEIR HELP. "God giveth grace." Grace, the favor of God, the gentlest yet mightiest inspiration of souls. - U.R.T. Parallel Verses KJV: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; |
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