1 Peter 5:2

1 Peter 5:2 in other versions

• King James Version (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;
• New International Version (NIV)Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve;
• English Standard Version (ESV)shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly;
• New King James Version (NKJV)Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;

Context of 1 Peter 5:2

1I exhort the elders among you as a fellow elder and witness to the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory about to be revealed: Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed for money but eagerly; 3not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

1 Peter 5:2 word by word

ποιμάνατε τὸ ἐν ὑμῖν ποίμνιον τοῦ θεοῦ ἐπισκοποῦντες μὴ ἀναγκαστῶς ἀλλ᾽ ἑκουσίως κατὰ θεόν, μηδὲ αἰσχροκερδῶς ἀλλὰ προθύμως·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Feedποιμαίνωpoimainō · to shepherdG4165
• the flockποίμνιονpoimnion · flockG4168
• of Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
• which is amongἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• youσύsu · youG4771
• taking the oversightἐπισκοπέωepiskopeō · to oversee/care forG1983
• notμήmē · notG3361
• by constraintἀναγκαστῶςanagkastōs · necessarilyG317
• butἀλλάalla · butG235
• willinglyἑκουσίωςhekousiōs · voluntarilyG1596
• notμηδέmēde · norG3366
• for filthy lucreαἰσχροκερδῶςaischrokerdōs · greedilyG147
• of a ready mindπροθύμωςprothumōs · eagerlyG4290

Cross-references for 1 Peter 5:2

• Isaiah 40:11He protects his flock like a shepherd; he gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them in the fold of his garment. He gently leads those that are nursing.
• Ezekiel 34:2“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy, and say to them, ‘This is what the Lord God says to the shepherds: Woe to the shepherds of Israel, who have been feeding themselves! Shouldn’t the shepherds feed their flock?
• Micah 5:4He will stand and shepherd them in the strength of the Lord, in the majestic name of the Lord his God. They will live securely, for then his greatness will extend to the ends of the earth.
• Micah 7:14Shepherd your people with your staff, the flock that is your possession. They live alone in a woodland surrounded by pastures. Let them graze in Bashan and Gilead as in ancient times.
• John 21:15When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said to him, “you know that I love you.” “Feed my lambs,” he told him.
• Acts 20:28Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood.
• Isaiah 63:11Then he remembered the days of the past, the days of Moses and his people. Where is he who brought them out of the sea with the shepherds of his flock? Where is he who put his Holy Spirit among the flock?
• Jeremiah 13:17But if you will not listen, my innermost being will weep in secret because of your pride. My eyes will overflow with tears, for the Lord’s flock has been taken captive.
• Ezekiel 34:31You are my flock, the human flock of my pasture, and I am your God. This is the declaration of the Lord God.’”
• Zechariah 11:17Woe to the worthless shepherd who deserts the flock! May a sword strike his arm and his right eye! May his arm wither away and his right eye go completely blind!”
• Luke 12:32Don’t be afraid, little flock, because your Father delights to give you the kingdom.
• 1 Corinthians 9:7Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its fruit? Or who shepherds a flock and does not drink the milk from the flock?
• Psalms 78:71he brought him from tending ewes to be shepherd over his people Jacob — over Israel, his inheritance.
• Acts 20:26Therefore I declare to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of you,
• Hebrews 12:15Make sure that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness springs up, causing trouble and defiling many.
• Isaiah 6:8Then I heard the voice of the Lord asking: Who will I send? Who will go for us? I said: Here I am. Send me.

Commentaries on 1 Peter 5:2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2Feed the flock - Do not fleece the flock. Taking the oversight - · Discharging the office of bishops or superintendents. This is another proof that bishop and presbyter were the same order in the apostolic times, though afterwards they were made distinct. Not by constraint - The office was laborious and dangerous, especially in these times of persecution; it is no wonder then that even those who were best qualified for the office should strive to excuse…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2Feed the flock of God - Discharge the duties of a shepherd toward the flock. On the word “feed,” see the notes at John 21:15. It is a word which Peter would be likely to remember, from the solemn manner in which the injunction to perform the duty was laid on him by the Saviour. The direction means to take such an oversight of the church as a shepherd is accustomed to take of his flock. See the notes at 1 Peter 5:1, are called presbyters, or elders; and…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 2Be shepherds of God’s flock: The word pastor comes from the New Testament image of a shepherd tending his flock.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22. Feed--Greek, "Tend as a shepherd," by discipline and doctrine. Lead, feed, heed: by prayer, exhortation, government, and example. The dignity is marked by the term "elder"; the duties of the office, to tend or oversee, by "bishop." Peter has in mind Christ's injunction to him, "Feed (tend) My sheep ... Feed (pasture) My lambs" (Joh 21:16). He invites the elders to share with him the same duty (compare Ac 20:28). The flock is Christ's. which is among…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Peter 5:2

• Church
• Commandments
• Covetousness
• Elder
• Minister, Christian
• Sacrilege

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Adversary
• Bishop
• Constraint
• Devour
• Ensample
• Heritage
• Oversight
• Stedfast

Commentaries on 1 Peter 5

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings