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1 Peter 5:3 – Example, Not Dictator

Posted on February 27, 2017 by Will

nor as lording it over those allotted to you, but being examples to the flock;

Truth to Learn

The pastor (or elder) of a local congregation is to be an example of Christ, not a dictator over the local church.

Behind the Words

The words “lording it over” are a translation of the Greek word, katakurieuō, which means “to exercise dominion over” or “to rule over.” It is a compound word made up of kata, which means “down upon” and a form of kurieuō, which means “to have dominion or rule over someone else, like a lord or master.”

“Allotted” is a translation of the Greek word klēros, which originally meant “a little piece.” It actually refers to a “die” or a “lot.” This was a little piece of wood or stone with an individual’s mark on it. It comes from the Greek custom whereby a die (or lot) was taken from each person, put into a container, shaken violently, then the first one that was poured out indicated who was chosen by the gods for a particular function. From this custom we get our expression “the die (or lot) is cast.” This word later also came to be applied to “an inheritance” or “something assigned to a person.”

The word “examples” is translated from the Greek word tupos (from which we get our English word “type”), which literally refers to “the scar or impression left by a blow or strike of a die.” Figuratively, it refers to a person who has the form or resemblance of someone else, hence the translation “example.”

Meaning Explained

In today’s verse Peter continues with his thought from the previous verse. The pastor (elder) is to shepherd the flock and oversee it for unselfish reasons and, as he says in today’s verse:

not lording it over those allotted to you, but being examples to the flock.

The elders in the church have not been given the position of “boss” or “master” of the flock. On the contrary, they have been placed there to shepherd the flock, to care for the sheep, to feed them, to pray over them, and to be an example to them of how we are to live as children of the King of Kings.

The significant thing about the presence of the word klēros in today’s verse is that it refers to those (people) who are allotted to a pastor by God’s divine appointment: the congregation of the local church under an elder’s care. As much as we sometimes like to think that the growth of a church is due to our great teaching and preaching, everyone in a congregation is there because God has placed them there.

The message Peter is giving to pastors (elders) is that we are to oversee the local congregation (placed under our care by God) as under-shepherds of the Chief Shepherd. We are not to be rulers or dictators, rather examples of how the flock is to live in relationship to Christ, the Chief Shepherd.

Talk about a tough job description!

Application

Does this describe your pastor? Is he an example of humility and does he demonstrate a close, personal daily walk with God? If so, you are blessed and you should thank God for him! Sometimes, it’s a thankless job.

In God's service, for His glory,

1 Thessalonians 1:7 – Christian Models

Posted on March 23, 2016 by Will

so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.

Truth to Learn

Every Christian should be an example of Christ Himself.

Behind the Words

“So that” is translated from the Greek word hōste, which is made up of hōs, meaning “as” and te, which is a particle of connection, usually meaning “in addition.” Hōste, therefore, could be translated as “so that, in addition” or “so as, also.” It serves as a strong connector between what was just said and what is about to be said.

“You became” is from the verb ginomai, meaning “to begin to be.” It is expressed as an infinitive here, so the first part of this verse could be translated as “so as, also, to become …”

The word “examples” is translated from the Greek word tupos, from which we get our English word “type.” It is based on the verb tuptō, meaning “to strike so as to leave an impression.” Tupos refers to a die or a model (that is, any pattern) used to replicate a sign or symbol.

Meaning Explained

Based on what we learned about the meaning of the words in the opening part of this verse, if we combine this with the previous verse (taking out the parenthetical thought) we get: “And you became imitators of us and of the Lord … so as, you also, to become models [of Christian living] to all who believe in Macedonia and Achaia.”

The word “Christian” literally means “little Christ”; therefore, a Christian is supposed to be someone who is a disciple of Christ, modeling his or her life after Jesus. That’s exactly what the Apostle Paul did after his conversion on the road to Damascus. Before that life changing event, Paul (then called Saul) was attacking Christians and having them arrested. After he became a Christian, he so completely committed himself to his new way of life that he, himself, became the target for persecution and attack. As a result, he became an example to the people he preached to.

Now we learn that the Christians in Thessalonica so completely committed themselves to our Lord and to the Apostle Paul’s teaching that they became examples to all those around them. From the northern most regions of Greece (Macedonia) to the southern most regions (Achaia), believers in Christ knew the reputation of the Thessalonians as committed Christians. They had a reputation of being Christians, not in name only, but in the way they lived their lives. They did this in a place, and at a time when it was not the popular thing to do. Within ten years of the writing of this letter, the persecution of Christians had so pervaded Roman culture that the persecutors even included the Emperor Nero. In A.D. 64 after the great fire that destroyed much of the city of Rome, many believe that Nero was directly responsible for starting the fire. In order to counter such beliefs, Nero put the blame directly on the Christians, persecuting and torturing them for their supposed act of arson.

Application

How about you? Do you have a reputation as a Christian among those with whom you work and with those who live in your neighborhood? If so, is your reputation that of being a “supposed Christian” or a “committed Christian”? How about in your church? Do others look at your life and faith walk and want to be like you? Do people both inside and outside your church see Christ in you?

I ask you, therefore, “If you were accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?” That’s something to think about!

In God's service, for His glory,

1 Thessalonians 1:7 – Christian Models

Posted on April 25, 2012 by Will

so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.

Truth to Learn

Every Christian should be an example of Christ Himself.

Behind the Words

Meaning Explained

Based on what we learned about the meaning of the words in the opening part of this verse, if we combine this with the previous verse (taking out the parenthetical thought) we get: “And you became followers of us and of the Lord … so as, also, to become models (of Christian living) to all who believe in Macedonia and Achaia.”

Application

In God's service, for His glory,

1 Peter 5:3 – Example, Not Dictator

Posted on March 8, 2009 by admin

1 Peter 5:3

nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;

Truth to Learn

The pastor (or elder) of a local congregation is to be an example of Christ, not a dictator over the local church.

Behind the Words

The words “being lords over” are a translation of the Greek word, katakurieuō, which means “to exercise dominion over” or “to rule over.” It is a compound word made up of kata, which means “down upon” and a form of kurieuō, which means “to have dominon or rule over someone else, like a lord or master.”

“Entrusted” is a translation of the Greek word klēros, which originally meant “a little piece.” It actually refers to a “die” or a “lot.” This was a little piece of wood or stone with an individual’s mark on it. It comes from the Greek custom whereby a die (or lot) was taken from each person, put into a container, shaken violently, then the first one that was poured out indicated who was chosen by the gods for a particular function. From this custom we get our expression “the die (or lot) is cast.” This word later also came to be applied to “an inheritance” or “something assigned to a person.”

The word “examples” is translated from the Greek word tupos, which literally refers to “the scar or impression left by a blow or strike of a die.” Figuratively, it refers to a person who has the form or resemblance of someone else, hence the translation “example.”

Meaning Explained

In today’s verse Peter continues with his thought from the previous verse. The pastor (elder) is to shepherd the flock and oversee it for unselfish reasons and, as he says in today’s verse:

not lording it over those entrusted to you, rather being examples to the flock.

Talk about a tough job description!

Application

In God’s service, for His glory,

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