1 Peter 5:2

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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;

Complete Jewish Bible:

shepherd the flock of God that is in your care, exercising oversight not out of constraint, but willingly, as God wants; and not out of a desire for dishonest gain, but with enthusiasm;

Berean Standard Bible:

Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but because it is God’s will; not out of greed, but out of eagerness;

American Standard Version:

Tend the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not of constraint, but willingly, according to the will of God; nor yet for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Feed^{G4165} the flock^{G4168} of God^{G2316} which is among^{G1722} you^{G5213}, taking the oversight^{G1983} thereof, not^{G3361} by constraint^{G317}, but^{G235} willingly^{G1596}; not^{G3366} for filthy lucre^{G147}, but^{G235} of a ready mind^{G4290};

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for 1 Peter 5:2

1 Peter 5:2 is a verse that speaks directly to church leaders, exhorting them to shepherd their congregations with a spirit of willingness and purity of motive. The historical context of this verse is rooted in the early Christian church, where leaders, also referred to as elders or overseers, were responsible for the spiritual well-being and guidance of their communities.

The themes of the verse include service, humility, and integrity. The call to "feed the flock of God" implies a nurturing role, akin to a shepherd caring for sheep, which involves teaching, protecting, and guiding the faithful. The instruction to do so "among you" emphasizes the immediate responsibility that leaders have for those in their immediate care.

The verse emphasizes that this service should not be rendered reluctantly ("not by constraint") nor solely for personal gain ("not for filthy lucre"). Instead, leaders are encouraged to act with a "ready mind," indicating eagerness, enthusiasm, and sincerity. The phrase "filthy lucre" refers to the pursuit of money or wealth in a dishonorable or greedy way, which was a temptation for some church leaders who might exploit their position for financial advantage.

In essence, 1 Peter 5:2 admonishes Christian leaders to lead with a genuine desire to serve God and their congregations, rather than for selfish reasons or under compulsion. This guidance reflects broader New Testament teachings on Christian leadership, which stress the importance of servant leadership modeled after the example of Jesus Christ. The verse serves as a timeless directive for church leaders to maintain ethical and spiritual integrity in their ministry.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G4165
   There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ποιμαίνω
   Transliteration: poimaínō
   Pronunciation: poy-mah'-ee-no
   Description: from ποιμήν; to tend as a shepherd of (figuratively, superviser):--feed (cattle), rule.
   
2. Strong's Number: G4168
   There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ποίμνιον
   Transliteration: poímnion
   Pronunciation: poym'-nee-on
   Description: neuter of a presumed derivative of ποίμνη; a flock, i.e. (figuratively) group (of believers):--flock.
   
3. Strong's Number: G2316
   There are 1172 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: θεός
   Transliteration: theós
   Pronunciation: theh'-os
   Description: of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with ὁ) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).
   
4. Strong's Number: G1722
   There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐν
   Transliteration: en
   Pronunciation: en
   Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
   
5. Strong's Number: G5213
   There are 567 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὑμῖν
   Transliteration: hymîn
   Pronunciation: hoo-min'
   Description: irregular dative case of ὑμεῖς; to (with or by) you:--ye, you, your(-selves).
   
6. Strong's Number: G1983
   There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐπισκοπέω
   Transliteration: episkopéō
   Pronunciation: ep-ee-skop-eh'-o
   Description: from ἐπί and σκοπέω; to oversee; by implication, to beware:--look diligently, take the oversight.
   
7. Strong's Number: G3361
   There are 602 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: μή
   Transliteration: mḗ
   Pronunciation: may
   Description: a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas οὐ expresses an absolute denial); (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas οὐ expects an affirmative one)) whether:--any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations. See also ἐὰν μή, ἵνα μή, οὐ μή, μῆκος, μηκύνω, μήν, μὴ οὐκ.
   
8. Strong's Number: G317
   There are 217 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀναγκαστῶς
   Transliteration: anankastōs
   Pronunciation: an-ang-kas-toce'
   Description: adverb from a derivative of ἀναγκάζω; compulsorily:--by constraint.
   
9. Strong's Number: G235
   There are 635 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀλλά
   Transliteration: allá
   Pronunciation: al-lah'
   Description: neuter plural of ἄλλος; properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations):--and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.
   
10. Strong's Number: G1596
    There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἑκουσίως
    Transliteration: hekousíōs
    Pronunciation: hek-oo-see'-ose
    Description: adverb from the same as ἑκούσιον; voluntarily:--wilfully, willingly.
    
11. Strong's Number: G3366
    There are 49 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: μηδέ
    Transliteration: mēdé
    Pronunciation: may-deh'
    Description: from μή and δέ; but not, not even; in a continued negation, nor:--neither, nor (yet), (no) not (once, so much as).
    
12. Strong's Number: G147
    There are 347 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: αἰσχροκερδῶς
    Transliteration: aischrokerdōs
    Pronunciation: ahee-skhrok-er-doce'
    Description: adverb from αἰσχροκερδής; sordidly:--for filthy lucre's sake.
    
13. Strong's Number: G4290
    There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: προθύμως
    Transliteration: prothýmōs
    Pronunciation: proth-oo'-moce
    Description: adverb from πρόθυμος; with alacrity:--willingly.