#10. Leading with Humility (1 Peter 5:1-6)
by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
http://www.jesuswalk.com/1peter/10_humility.htm
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The source of Peter's humility stemmed in part from
repentance from his own sins. "St. Peter Denying Christ," by French book
illustrator Paul Gustav Doré (1832-1883), engraving, 200x245 mm.
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Text
1 Peter 5:1-6
[1] To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of
Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: [2]
Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers -- not
because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not
greedy for money, but eager to serve; [3] not lording it over those entrusted to
you, but being examples to the flock. [4] And when the Chief Shepherd appears,
you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
[5] Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of
you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
"God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble."
[6] Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift
you up in due time.
Exposition
I've been around churches all my life. In that time, I have seen lots of
church leaders. Some have been wonderful men and women. Others have been small
people trying to take advantage of a church's leadership needs in order to
project themselves larger than life.
In this passage the church's most celebrated apostle, Peter, talks straight
to church leaders.
Appealing as a Fellow Elder (5:1)
Peter begins with an act of humility. Though he is an apostle and writes with
apostolic authority, he humbles himself to the level of the church leaders
themselves. He writes:
"To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of
Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be
revealed." (5:1)
He is not prefacing mere suggestions. He is exhorting. He is appealing to
church leaders. "Appeal" (NIV), "exhort" (KJV, NRSV) is the Greek verb
parakaleō. The basic meaning is "to call to one's side." Here it
means "to urge strongly, appeal to, urge, exhort, encourage." In other contexts
it can mean "request, implore, entreat" and "comfort, encourage, cheer up."[1]
Peter is in earnest.
He identifies himself as a "fellow elder" and appeals to "elders." "Elder" is
the Greek noun presbuteros, from which we get the word "Presbyterian."
The basic meaning is "pertaining to being relatively advanced in age, older,
old." Then it used as the title of an official, "elder, presbyter." [2] Among
the Jews the term "elder" was used as the title for members of local councils in
individual cities, as well as members of a group in the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem.
The earliest Christian churches took over the synagogue form of government, with
a group or council of elders, usually led by a presiding elder.[3] There is much
more I could say about early church leaders. For more, see my brief essay:
"Elders, Pastors, and Overseers: A Word Study"
(www.joyfulheart.com/scholar/elders.htm).
Peter also presents himself as a eyewitness (Greek martus) to Christ's
sufferings and one who will share in glory when Christ returns. "Share" (NIV,
NRSV), "partaker" (KJV) is an interesting word. The Greek noun koinōnos
means "one who takes part in something with someone, companion, partner,
sharer."[4] The root word koinos means "pertaining to being of mutual
interest or shared collectively, communal, common." A related word that you may
have heard of is koinōnia,
"fellowship, communion, close association."
Peter is affirming one of his most valued hopes -- as a shareholder in the
greatest gold mine of glory ever imagined -- Christ returns in glory. He says,
"I have a part in that!" And so do you and I!
Shepherds and Pastors (5:2a)
After his prefacing remarks, Peter begins his appeal to the elders:
"Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as
overseers." (5:2)
Notice three words that seem to be used synonymously in verses 1 and 2 (and
also in Acts 20:17, 28):
- Elders
- Be shepherds (or pastors)
- Overseers (sometimes translated "bishops")
At this point in the primitive church, all three words referred to the same
group of church leaders: elders = pastors/shepherds = overseers/bishops.
Though the words are used synonymously here, each has its own special flavor.
"Be shepherds" (NIV), "feed" (KJV), "tend" (NRSV) is the Greek verb
poimainō, "to serve as a tender of sheep, herd, tend, (lead to)
pasture," then extended figuratively to mean, "to watch out for other people, to
shepherd, of activity that protects, rules, governs, fosters."[5] Since the word
"pastor" (Greek poimēn) refers to one
who shepherds, and "one who serves as guardian or leader," we have in our
passage a verb that could just as well be translated "to pastor." "Flock" is the
related Greek noun poimnion, "flock," then figuratively, "a defined group
of persons under a leader, flock."[6]
To be a shepherd means to assume the responsibility of caring for the sheep
and all their needs -- food, healing, help with giving birth, protection. A
pastor (and in many cases a small group leader) assumes spiritual responsibility
for God's people that have been placed in his or her charge.
Are you an elder in your church? Your position is no hollow title. You have
spiritual responsibilities, under the senior pastor, for the well-being of the
flock. You are an under-shepherd.
Overseers (5:2)
In addition to "elders" and "pastors" or "shepherds," Peter refers to his
fellow elders as overseers.
"Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as
overseers." (5:2)
"Serving as overseers" (NIV), "taking/exercising the oversight" (KJV, NRSV)
is the Greek verb episkopeō, from
which we get our word "Episcopal." The basic meaning is "to give attention to,
look at, take care of, see to it." Here it has a figurative meaning, "to accept
responsibility for the care of someone, oversee, care for."[7] The noun
episkopos is used in 1 Peter 2:25 of Jesus ("guardian of the souls").
Sometimes this word is translated "bishop," but bishops, in a hierarchical sense
over presbyters or priests, weren't present in the Church until the early second
century.
If you are a pastor or a small group leader, then in some sense you, too, are
an overseer and guardian. You watch over to care for the members and to make
sure they are protected from threats within and without.
Attitudes for Elders (5:2b-3)
Now Peter moves from the functions of an elder to the attitudes required.
"Serving ... not because you must, but because you are willing, as
God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording
it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock." (5:2b-3)
Willingness (5:2)
The first characteristic is willingness. Peter uses contrasting words here to
emphasize the point: "not because you must, but because you are willing."
"Because you must (NIV), "by constraint" (KJV), and "under compulsion" is the
Greek adverb anankastōs, "by
compulsion," from the noun anankē,
"necessity, pressure, constraint."[8] In many churches, I've heard this kind of
plea from an elder or a nominating committee member. "Won't you serve on the
elder board. I've put in my time. You don't have to do much -- just attend four
meetings a year." Or "We can't get anyone else to serve. You said you'd do it if
no one else would. So you've got to!"
What a travesty in the Church of the Living God! That men and women must be
manipulated by guilt or duty, rather than from love of Christ, to serve God's
people. My dear friends, our churches would be much better off it we refused to
take anyone in a leadership position unless they were willing and eager to serve
Christ. Any other motive disqualifies a person from this high office! (Excuse me
for preaching, but I am a preacher.) "Willing" (NIV), "willingly" (KJV, NRSV) is
the Greek adverb ekousiōs,
"willingly, without compulsion," that is, "deliberately, intentionally."[9]
Not Motivated by Money (5:2)
Watch out for ministers (or any Christians) who are out to get wealthy (see 1
Timothy 6:9; Mark 4:19; 1 John 2:15-16). Since elders often had responsibility
for stewardship over church funds, it was important that they weren't people
motivated by money. "Greedy for money" (NIV), "for filthy lucre" (KJV), "for
sordid gain" (NRSV) is the Greek adverb
aischrokerdōs, "in fondness for dishonest gain, greedily," from the
noun meaning "shamelessly greedy for money, avaricious, fond of dishonest gain"
(warned against in elders in 1 Timothy 3:8 and Titus 1:7).[10]
It is wrong for churches to be stingy in paying their pastors, just as wrong
as it would be for an employer to pay an employee less than what he or she was
worth. (See my article,
"Does Your Church Run a Spiritual Sweatshop?"
www.joyfulheart.com/church/sweatshop.htm). True pastors need enough to live on
if they are to serve a congregation well. But pastors who are always about money
are likely to have a problem.
Rather than serving for the sake of money, elders should be "eager to serve"
(NIV), "eagerly" (NRSV), "of a ready mind" (KJV). These translate the Greek
adverb prothumōs, "pertaining to
being eager to be of service, ready, willing, eager."[11] In other words, elders
should be eager for service, rather than eager for money.
Domineering (5:3)
Power corrupts, the saying goes, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. If
you've studied church history you can find many, many examples of a domineering
kind of leadership.
"... Not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples
to the flock." (5: 3)
"Lording it over" is the Greek verb
katakurieuō, "to bring into subjection, become master, gain dominion
over, subdue," then "to have mastery, be master, lord it (over), rule."[12]
Jesus specifically warns against this kind of leadership. When James and John
were jockeying for places of power, Jesus used their power politics as an
occasion to teach on leadership style:
"You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord
it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so
with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your
servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all." (Mark
10:42-44)
Contrary to the common type of self-centered rulers, Jesus insisted that the
disciples adopt a servant leadership approach. Rather than ruling by fiat, they
were to lead by example. "Examples" (NIV, NRSV), "ensamples" (KJV) is the
Greek noun typos, here used of the moral life, "example, pattern."[13]
Sometimes church leaders act as if they "own" the church and that people are
there to serve them. But it is the opposite. The leader, following Jesus'
example, is to serve the people. Imagine Jesus washing Peter's feet as an act of
humility and you have the idea (John 13:4-17). Peter is echoing Jesus' own words
on that occasion when he said, "You also should wash one another's feet. I have
set you an example that you should do as I have done for you" (John 13:14-16).
It takes a humble leader to do this. Rather than owning the people, the
people are "given as a portion or share" for the leader to care for. "Those
entrusted to you" (NIV), "those in your charge" (NRSV), "[God's] heritage" (KJV)
is the Greek noun klēros, "lot,"
which was thrown to make decisions. From this, the word means "that which is
assigned by lot," and then "that given as a portion or share." In our verse, the
word is in the plural, "portions," referring to the flock as a whole, suggesting
that the various parts of the people of God have been assigned as "portions" to
individual elders or shepherds.[14]
Q3. (5:3) How can we best keep elders and pastors from being
power-mongers? From limiting a pastor's authority? What's the danger here?
From testing a person before bestowing authority? How can this be difficult?
How can we deal with this serious problem properly?
http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.php?act=ST&f=42&t=187
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The Reward for Elders (5:4)
Humility and service are the watchwords now, but "glory" is the promise when
Christ appears.
"And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of
glory that will never fade away." (5:4)
"Chief Shepherd" is the Greek noun
archipoimēn, from archē,
"beginning, first" + poimēn,
"shepherd." Peter uses this term to remind fellow elders that none of them is
the "chief pastor," even though they might be a "senior pastor." Christ is the
ultimate pastor, the ultimate shepherd to whom all pastors and leaders must
answer and give account. The author of Hebrews says:
"Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch
over you as ones who must give an account." (Hebrews 13:17a)
But with the responsibility also comes the reward. "Crown" is the Greek noun
stephanos, "a wreath made of foliage or designed to resemble foliage and
worn by one of high status or held in high regard, wreath, crown."[15] No doubt
Peter has this in mind, because he refers to a crown that never fades in
contrast to an earthly wreath that does fade.[16]
Submission to Elders (5:5a)
Peter has admonished the elders themselves. Now he speaks to those under
their charge.
"Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older."
(5:5a)
We in America are an independent lot. We don't like anyone to tell us what to
do. But, like the writer of Hebrews above, Peter commands Christians in the
church to "be submissive" (NIV), "submit yourselves" (KJV), "accept the
authority of" (NRSV) the elders. This is the Greek verb
hupotassō that we first saw in chapter 3, "subject oneself, be
subjected or subordinated, obey."[17] Peter contrasts "younger men"[18] with
"those who are older." But this is a play on words, since "older" (NIV), "elder"
(KJV), "elders" (NRSV) is the Greek noun presbuteros, "elder," that we
saw in verse 1, and refers, I believe, to a church leader, not just an older
Christian.
Humility for Elders (5b-6)
Even though elders have spiritual authority which must be recognized and
submitted to, elders aren't to become proud because they have power. Peter calls
all his readers to mutual humility, quoting Proverbs 3:34:
"All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another,
because,
'God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble.'
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you
up in due time." (5:5b-6)
"Clothe yourselves" is the Greek verb enkomboomai, "to put or tie
something on oneself, put on," from en + kombos, "band."[19]
Humility is to be worn like a garment. When we begin the day and dress, we must
also be careful to include an attitude of humility.
"Humility" is the Greek noun tapeinophrosunē,
"humility, modesty" related to the adjective tapeinos, "to be of low
social status," then "unpretentious, humble," later in this verse, and the verb
tapeinoō in verse 6, "to cause to be or become humble in attitude,
humble, make humble."[20] Jesus described himself as humble or meek in heart
(Greek praus, Matthew 11:28). Would that all God's leaders remember who
God is and who they
really are. Might they realize that all they have is a gift from
God and the people are a trust from God. This is nothing to get
big-headed about. It is a cause to lean heavily on the Lord for strength to lead
well.
Peter himself had been a blowhard and a braggart. He had learned humility
through what he had suffered and through God's gracious forgiveness. The
quotation from Proverbs 3:34 is heavy stuff:
"God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble." (5:5b)
"Opposes" (NIV, NRSV), "resists" (KJV) is the Greek verb
antitassō, "oppose, resist," from anti, "opposite, against" +
tasso, "put, place."[21] Do you struggle with pride?[22] If you don't humble
yourself, this passage says that God himself will resist and oppose you. God
will stand against you in order to break your pride.
On the other hand, he promises his special favor for those who are humble.
"Grace" is the Greek noun charis, "a beneficent disposition toward
someone, favor, grace, gracious care/help, goodwill."[23]
Exaltation Is Coming (5:6)
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may
lift you up in due time." (5:6)
We want to be exalted now rather than be humbled. But we must wait. And if we
are willing to submit to God's disciple of humility, one day he will lift us up.
"Exalt" (KJV, NRSV), "lift up" (NIV) is the Greek verb
hupsoō, "to lift up spatially, lift up, raise high," then "to cause
enhancement in honor, fame, position, power, or fortune, exalt."[24]
You are a "King's kid" now, but it doesn't appear like it sometimes. Jesus
was the Eternal Son of God, but sometimes it seemed untrue. Jesus patiently
waited for the right time.[25] Two New Testament passages come to mind:
"[Jesus] who for the joy set before him endured the cross,
scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
(Hebrews 12:2)
With his eyes firmly fixed on the prize, he endured the humbling shame of the
cross, because he had faith that one day he would sit again at the right hand of
his Father.
We, too, follow Jesus. We humble ourselves because he humbled himself and set
us an example that we might follow in his steps (2:21):
"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death--
even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:5-11)
My dear friend, your pride now is an inverse barometer of your faith. The
prouder you are now, the less your real belief that God will exalt you when
Christ comes. You feel you must exalt yourself or no one will exalt you. Not so.
We must humble ourselves and Christ will exalt us in due time.
Leadership in the Church of Jesus Christ is a serious matter. Perhaps you
became a church pastor, elder, officer, or board member for the wrong motive.
But Peter calls you to your best, to the victory of ...
- Willingness over compulsion,
- Eagerness over greed,
- Servant leadership by example over exercising power over people,
- Submission to the Chief Shepherd rather than building one's own little
kingdom, and
- Humility over self-exaltation.
Prayer
Father, I pray for the leaders of your congregations around the world that
are studying this passage. I ask you to humble us each of us and teach us to
lead with the humility you desire. Where we have character flaws, Lord, convict
us and heal us that we might continue to serve rather than be disqualified.
Thank you for your mercy in Bible days to our fellow-elder Peter. You not only
forgave but healed his sin and used him. Do the same for us, we pray. In Jesus'
name. Amen.
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Key Verse
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you
up in due time." (1 Peter 5:6)
References
Standard Abbreviations
http://www.jesuswalk.com/1peter/refs.htm
- BDAG 764-765. A related word paraklētos
is used to describe the Holy Spirit, the Paraklete, as One who comes along side
to help, encourage, and comfort.
- BDAG 862.
- K.N. Giles, "Church Order, Government," DLNT 219-226. See also Günther
Bornkamm, "presbus, ktl.," TDNT 6:651-683.
- BDAG 553-554.
- BDAG 842.
- BDAG 843.
- BDAG 379. Hermann W. Beyer, "episkeptomai, ktl.," TDNT 2:599-622.
This word is missing in some important manuscripts (א* B 33 al) but present in
most others (p72 א2 A etc.). The United Bible Societies
Greek New Testament (third edition) gives it a "C" rating, but include it in
the text in brackets. They find it hard to decide whether or not the word was
missing due to deliberate excision, from either stylistic considerations or the
conviction that Peter could have never admonished presbyters to exercise the
function of bishops. (Bruce M. Metzger, A Textual Commentary on the Greek New
Testament (United Bible Societies, 1971), pp. 695-696.
- BDAG 61.
- BDAG 307.
- BDAG 29. Robertson notes, "Clearly the elders received stipends, else there
could be no such temptation." (A.T. Robertson, Robertson's Word Pictures of
the New Testament (Broadman Press, 1932-33), in loc.).
- BDAG 870.
- BDAG 519.
- BDAG 1019-1020.
- BDAG 548.
- BDAG 943-944.
- "Never fade" is the Greek adjective amarantinos, "unfading," similar
to amarantos, "pertaining to not losing pristine quality or character,
unfading" (BDAG 49).
- BDAG 1042.
- "Young men" (NIV) and "younger" (KJV, NRSV) is the comparative of the Greek
noun neos, "pertaining to being in the early stages of life, young" (BDAG
669).
- BDAG 274.
- BDAG 989-990.
- BDAG 90.
- "Proud" is the Greek adjective huperēphanos,
"arrogant, haughty, proud" (BDAG 1033).
- BDAG 1079.
- BDAG 1045-1046.
- "Due time" is the Greek noun kairos, one of the chief terms relating
to the end time, "the time of crisis, the last times" (BDAG 498).
1 Peter: Discipleship
Lessons from the Fisherman
Copyright © 1985-2012, Ralph F. Wilson. <pastor
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