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

1Therefore I appeal to the elders among you—as a fellow elder and witness of Messiah’s sufferings, and a partaker also of the glory about to be revealed— shepherd God’s flock among you. Watch over it not under compulsion but willingly before God, not for dishonest gain but eagerly. 3Don’t lord it over those apportioned to you, but become examples to the flock. 4When 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 40:11Like a shepherd, He tends His flock. He gathers the lambs in His arms carries them in his bosom, and gently guides nursing ewes.
• Ezekiel 34:2“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and say to those shepherds, thus says Adonai Elohim: “Oy , shepherds of Israel who only take care of themselves! Should shepherds not take care of the sheep?
• Micah 5:4This One will be shalom. When Assyria invades our land when he treads on our citadels, then we will raise up against him seven shepherds and eight human princes.
• Micah 7:14Tend Your people with Your staff, the flock of Your inheritance, dwelling alone, in a forest in the midst of a fertile garden. Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old.
• John 21:15When they had finished breakfast, Yeshua said to 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.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs!”
• Acts 20:28“Take care of yourselves and all the flock of which the Ruach ha-Kodesh has made you overseers, to shepherd the community of God—which He obtained with the blood of His own.
• Isaiah 63:11Then His people remembered the days of old, the days of Moses: “Where is He who brought them through the sea with the shepherd of His flock? Where is He who put among them His Ruach ha-Kodesh?
• Jeremiah 13:17But if you will not listen, my soul will sob in secret before such pride, and my eyes will weep bitterly and overflow with tears, for Adonai’s flock will be taken captive.
• Ezekiel 34:31“So you, My sheep, the sheep of My pasture, you are human, and I am your God.” It is a declaration of Adonai Elohim.
• Zechariah 11:17Woe to the worthless shepherd who deserts the flock! May a sword fell his arm and his right eye! May his arm be all withered and his right eye totally blinded!”
• Luke 12:32Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father chose to give you the kingdom.
• 1 Corinthians 9:7What soldier ever serves at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not drink its milk?
• Psalms 78:71from following nursing ewes. He brought him to shepherd Jacob His people, and Israel His inheritance.
• Acts 20:26Therefore, I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all.
• Hebrews 12:15See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God; and see to it that no bitter root springs up and causes trouble, and by it many be defiled.
• Isaiah 6:8Then I heard the voice of Adonai saying: “Whom should I send, and who will go for Us?” So I said, “Hineni. 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