Exhortations to Pastors

In 1 Peter 5:1-4, the Apostle Peter addresses pastors. What are the duties of a pastor? What motivates a faithful pastor to serve God's people? What reward awaits the under-shepherd of God's flock?

1. The Person Exhorting Pastors: Peter (1 Peter 5:1a)

• Peter saw them as his peers and could relate to them.
• Peter saw Christ’s suffering and could relate that to them.
• Peter saw a glimpse of Christ’s glory and could relate that to them.

2. The Duties of Pastors (1 Peter 5:2a)

• To lead the church towards Christ-likeness.
  • The pastor must be spiritually mature in order to lead.
  • The pastor must be allowed to lead.
• To shepherd the church towards Christ-likeness.
  • A pastor is the under-shepherd of God’s beloved flock, not his.
  • A shepherd is to feed, tend, nourish, guide, guard and watch over God’s flock
• To oversee, protect, and guard the church against anything not Christ-like. (Acts 20:17, 28)

3. The Motives of Pastors (1 Peter 5:2b-3)

• A pastor should not serve due to pressure, but willingly.
• A pastor should not serve for money but because he has an eagerness to serve.
• A pastor should not lord over his flock but should lead by being a godly example.

4. The Reward That Awaits Faithful Pastors (1 Peter 5:4)

• “Chief Shepherd” refers to Christ, and, here, Peter points these pastors to the Second Coming of Christ.
• “Unfading crown of glory” refers to a crown of heavenly glory that is imperishable.