linked to the section on suffering...
note our pattern of character amidst suffering in the last 2 chapters
2:21-25
3:15 give an account for the hope within you
4:1 therefore, since christ has suffered, put away sin
1 pet 4:12-19 - stay innocent amidst suffering
1 pet 5:1-5 - character
i exhort
peter is an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of christ, and a partaker of the glory (that is to be revealed)
as a fellow elder/laborer, as well as an apostle and first hand friend of christ, he issues this charge
elders
elders is plural (no single leader of the church)
shepherd
shepherd; parallel (for peter) in john 21:16 (21:15-21:17)
2:25 reminds us that we were like straying sheep, "but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls
the lion picture of satan (v8) matches one who would attack the flock (1 sam 17:34-36)
exercising oversight
not under compulsion, but voluntairly according to the will of god
why does he say this?
it's weird to think (for me) that there may be some unwillingness to take leadership
but...it should be a difficult task, not taken for selfish reasons.
plus, if there was direct persecution to those peter is writing, that may have been more
directed against leadership.
nor yet as lording it over those alloted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock
examples is set in contrast with 'lording it over'?
does this play into the need for engagement/relationships vs. distance and superiority?
matt 20:24-28
see also matt 23:5-7
the perspective to lead the church, is the same as it is to be a christian
with leadership, the timeframe is critical (if you lead for eternal reward vs if you lead for immediate reward)
the authority structure has been set; follow it.
does this mean that younger men can't be elders, or that all older men are elders?
not all older men are elders, as there are qualifications
younger men seem to be ok, if they aren't a new convert (1 tim 3:6), as the elder bit was directed to timothy