Saint Augustine was an early church father from the fourth-century AD. He’s known for books like City of God and Confessions. But some of his letters have also been published. There’s one to a fella named Dioscorus; and in that letter Augustine said this about Christianity.

A famous orator was once asked, “What’s the first thing to be observed in the art of eloquence.” He replied, “Delivery.” He was then asked, “And what’s the second thing?” The orator again replied, “Delivery.” “And what about the third?” The orator still gave no other reply than, “Delivery.” Augustine says, “[In the same way] if you were to ask me, however often you might repeat the question, what are the instructions of the Christian religion, I would be disposed to answer always and only, Humility.” “The first part is humility; the second, humility; the third, humility.”[i]

Long before Augustine, the Scriptures were saying something similar. Peter has been writing to those who follow Jesus. As a result, people slander them. People malign them. People punish them unjustly. But repeatedly he has called Christians to keep doing good to those very people. Keep blessing them when they revile you.

But how? How does anyone keep serving their enemies like this? How does anyone keep submitting to such circumstances? How does anyone keep doing good when suffering so much? The answer is humility. Following in Jesus’ footsteps requires humility. We might summarize our passage this way: humility is necessary for all, but it starts with the elders imaging Christ. Look at it with me in verse 1…

¹ So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: ² 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; ³ not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. ⁴ And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. ⁵ Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Verses 1-5 contain three commands. One is to elders in verses 1-4: “shepherd the flock of God.” Another is at the start of verse 5. To younger people, “be subject to the elders.” Then the third covers everyone in verse 5: “clothe yourselves with humility.” We’ll take one at a time. But I think humility is the thread tying all of them together.

Elders: Shepherd the Flock

So, let’s start with the first command to elders in verse 2: “shepherd the flock of God.” Now, given what he says in verses 2-3, these “elders” aren’t just older people in the church; they are qualified brothers charged with overseeing the church. Jesus is the “chief Shepherd” in verse 4; but he chooses to shepherd his flock through elders. Other passages in Scripture call them “shepherds/pastors” or “overseers.” As Peter draws the letter to a close, he singles out those charged with overseeing God’s flock.

But before we look at the charge itself, consider the context. Peter’s charge builds on what he just developed in 4:12-19. That’s why 5:1 starts with the word “So” or “Therefore.” One thing Peter wants elders to consider is coming judgment. 4:17 said, “It is time for judgment to begin at the house of God.” In the Old Testament, when God’s judgment began at his house, who were the first people affected? The elders.

Ezekiel 34 is a great example. The elders of Israel had taken advantage of God’s people. They neglected the people. The injured they did not bind up. The lost they did not pursue. “Therefore,” God says, “Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand…” How sobering, then, for Peter to recall the Lord’s judgment and then say, “Shepherd the flock of God.”

In a letter to a new pastor over a small church, the Puritan pastor John Brown once wrote this: “I know the vanity of your heart, and that you will feel mortified that your congregation is very small, in comparison with those of your brethren around you; but assure yourself on the word of an old man, that when you come to give an account of them to the Lord Christ, at His judgment-seat, you will think you’ve had enough.”[ii]

At the same time, the context of Peter’s charge also reminds these elders of future glory. Peter shows solidarity with these brothers. He calls himself a “fellow elder.” He knows the weight of the responsibility. He knows the demands. He’s also a fellow witness of the sufferings of Christ. Now, that could mean Peter is simply an eyewitness—that he saw firsthand Jesus’ sufferings. More likely, Peter’s speaking of his public witness which often led to suffering as Jesus’ did.

But Peter also knows that sharing in Christ’s sufferings will lead to glory. His charge to elders also builds on what he said in 4:13, “rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” He’s confident that if these brothers keep sharing with him in Christ’s sufferings, they will also share with him in glory. So, it’s not simply the sober reality of judgment; it’s also the promise of glory that forms the context of Peter’s charge. Elders should remember where God is taking things—to judgment and to glory.

But let’s also consider the charge itself: “Shepherd the flock of God that is among you.” Why describe the role of an elder in terms of shepherding? Because that’s the imagery God uses to depict his care for his people. I mentioned Ezekiel 34. But who could forget other texts like Isaiah 40:11, the Lord “will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom.” Or Psalm 23: “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He leads me beside still waters.”

Also, in the person of Jesus, we see God’s shepherdly care embodied. Jesus said in John 10: “I am the good Shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” Peter knows this very well—in verse 4, he calls Jesus the “chief Shepherd.” Earlier in 2:25, Peter said that we were all straying like sheep (including elders). But through Jesus’ death on the cross, we have now “returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls”—that’s the Lord himself.

By comparing elders to shepherds, the Bible is saying that elders must image the true Shepherd who leads us beside still waters. Elders must image the true Shepherd who humbled himself in the path of love and lays down his life for the sheep. Now, most of you have taken our Membership Matters course. You might recall us using this imagery of shepherding. Elders shepherd the flock by leading you in righteous ways, by feeding you God’s word, by protecting you from spiritual harm, and by caring for you. These are ways God cares for us. Poor shepherding is evil because it lies about God.

Something else about this charge—notice how Peter calls the church, “the flock of God.” Elders must remember how the flock does not belong to them but to God. Peter would know this well—when Jesus served him breakfast after the resurrection and asked, “Peter, do you love me?” Peter’s says “Yes” three times. And Jesus says, “Then feed my sheep.” They belong to Jesus. Paul makes a similar point for elders in Acts 20:28, “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock…to [shepherd] the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.” The church belongs to God. Each member was purchased by the blood of Christ. Elders must view the church in that light.

Peter also gets specific: “the flock of God among you.” Later in verse 3, he specifies “those in your charge.” The charge is not for elders to shepherd the world church. The charge is not for elders to shepherd their online following. Elders must shepherd those among them, the faces they see, the members they gather with week in and week out. Jordan, Trey, and I are given to shepherd you specifically.

How, though, should we do that? How should elders carry out their charge? Peter shows great concern not simply for the activity of shepherding but the character of shepherding. “Shepherd the flock of God,” he says, “by exercising oversight not under compulsion but willingly as God would have you.” Elders must shepherd not from a place of “have to” but “want to.” They shepherd not because of peer pressure. They shepherd not because grandpa always wanted me to. They shepherd not because they couldn’t find any other line of work. They shepherd not because they went to seminary and “all that studying would be a waste if I didn’t pastor.”

No, elders must shepherd willingly. They want to. The Holy Spirit compels them to. In his book Workers for Your Joy, David Mathis puts it this way: “Christ grabs his pastors by the heart; he doesn’t twist them by the arm.”[iii]

Peter also says, “not for shameful gain, but eagerly.” It’s no accident that, elsewhere, both lists of qualifications for elders include “not greedy for gain.” It’s not just a temptation today, it was a temptation then—that elders might use the people for financial gain instead of genuinely caring for them. Shameful gain could also mean using the church for praise, to be noticed. You might recall Jesus rebuking the leaders in Israel for loving the praise that comes from men. It’s so dangerous. Even a service to members that started well can become a twisted temptation to be noticed.

True shepherds must not exercise their oversight in a way that uses others for selfish gain. Instead, elders must be eager to serve others. Eagerly they find ways to care for the sheep. Eagerly they spend themselves on others.

Something else about their character—verse 3, “not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.” The wording reminds us of Jesus in Matthew 20:25-28. He tells his disciples, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over [dominate] them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

That’s the example of humility that elders must set; and it’s grounded in the gospel of Christ. Christ went to the cross willingly. Christ served the sheep eagerly. Christ wasn’t domineering but gentle and lowly of heart. He cared for his people to the point of death. His humility must shape the character of elders, who then shape the character of the church. To put differently, elders don’t oversee the church by demanding obedience but by displaying obedience to Christ in service of others.

Now, that charge is no easy task. It comes with a great cost. I meet with other pastors in the area once a month. We have lunch together and encourage one another in the work. Sometimes we share what’s going on and then offer wisdom. All these guys love shepherding God’s flock. But none of these guys would say it’s easy.

Relational struggles, cultural clashes, sinful choices, generational differences, divisive teachers, leadership inconsistency, cancer diagnoses, hyper-criticism, spiritual attacks, sleepless nights—not to mention the added pressure of persecution that Peter’s audience would’ve been experiencing. There’s also the pastors own struggle with doubts, impatience, self-pity, pride. It’s not easy. Some of you have been pastors before—you and your family know that it’s not easy.

As a fellow elder, Peter knows it requires endurance. But that’s why he also holds out the crown of glory in verse 4: “And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” In ancient Greece, athletes didn’t receive a gold medal. They were awarded a wreath of twisted leaves, worn like a crown. But it might be comparable to what a gold medal means today—or the cup at Wimbledon or a trophy in other sports. There’s a unique glory tied to moments like these.

But that human glory, as we were told in 1:24—it fades like the flower of the grass. This glory will never fade. If elders pursue the path of humility now, they will receive glory later. How can we be sure? Because God already crowned Jesus with glory. The chief Shepherd walked the path of humility before us. He humbled himself to the point of death, even death on a cross. And as a result, God highly exalted him. This crown is certain, because Christ’s crown is certain.

Now, that’s Peter’s charge to elders. But before we look at the next command, it’d be good to pause and consider these things for our own church. Jordan, Trey, myself—these words address us specifically. How are we shepherding the flock? How are we imaging Christ’s humility? Are we serving willingly, eagerly? Brothers, we must keep guarding ourselves from domineering attitudes. If we don’t find members seeking holiness, earnest love, hospitality, at least one question for us to ask is, “What example have they seen in us?” I’m so thankful to serve beside brothers who so often remind me of Jesus’ humility. Jordan and Trey, the hours you spend caring for God’s flock—the hours your family has sacrificed—you guys help us see Jesus more clearly and your example is worthy of imitation.

Some of you other brothers might aspire to eldership. Perhaps the Lord has put in you a desire to oversee his flock. If you want to prepare, you will not learn these things merely by reading another book or even hearing another pastor list what to do. Helpful as those things might be, your primary way of preparing is for eldership is sitting still and taking long looks at Jesus, because he’s the chief Shepherd here. He stands behind everything said and modeled here.

For the rest of us, would you know what to look for in an elder? According to 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, the church must recognize and appoint elders who fit certain qualifications. Some of those qualifications receive further treatment here. These words help you discern which men ought to pastor, which men need further maturity, and which men ought not to pastor. Character is the priority, not giftings and charisma.

These words also equip you to hold your elders accountable. Don’t work from the assumption that once an elder is appointed, that it’s a forever office. They serve in that office for as long as they can do it in this way. So, use these things to call our attention to that what sort of leadership images Jesus. The more you’re equipped by these words, the better you’ll be able to speak into our lives.

These words also help you pray for your elders. We need you to ask God to make these things real to our hearts and evident in our leadership. Also, if elders are to set the example in Christ-like humility, that assumes the congregation will follow. Hebrews 13:7 says, “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.” That’s how we respond to godly elders. They become concrete examples of what it looks like to follow Jesus.

Younger People: Submit to the Elders

That’s also related to the next command in verse 5, given specifically to younger people. The ESV leaves it more general: “you who are younger.” If that’s the case, Peter might be addressing not just those younger in age but those who are younger in standing. All non-elders, in other words. Or the NASB recognizes the masculine form of this adjective. It reads, “likewise, you younger men be subject to the elders.” Peter might be speaking now to those men who are also prospective leaders in the church. They might be younger in age, but they are certainly younger in spiritual maturity.

Either way, I find the words of Peter Davids fitting. He says that youthful people are often “ready to learn from and assist those directing the church, but their very readiness for service and commitment can make them impatient with the leaders, who either due to pastoral wisdom or the conservatism that often comes with age…are not ready to move as quickly or as radically as they are. It would be quite fitting to address such people with an admonition to be subject to their elders. Indeed, particularly in a time of persecution their willingness to take radical stands without considering the consequences could endanger the church.”[iv]

How do we prevent such dangers? Younger people, be subject to the elders. Submit to them. That’s a counter-cultural word, nowadays. We live in a society that bristles at the mention of submission. Our is about self-determination, self-autonomy, a kind of individualism that recoils at authority of any kind. It violates their rights, their freedom to do as they please. Add that to the internet and social media, where you can become your own authority about anything.

Yet Scripture is full of commands about submission; and one of those is that younger people submit to their elders. That means willingly place yourself beneath their authority. Not in an ultimate sense—ultimate submission belongs only to Jesus. Submission also doesn’t mean that elders are above correction; 1 Timothy 5:20 speaks to that directly. But insofar as your elders represent Christ, submit to them in that.

This too takes humility. It takes humility to submit to God’s word here over your own agenda. It takes humility to recognize how the Lord has entrusted leadership to others. It takes humility to yield to their direction and counsel. It takes humility to show deference to their leadership as they guide the church in complex situations. It takes humility not to insist on your own way when you might’ve handled things differently. Cultivating a spirit of humility is what Peter is after—among elders, among younger people…and among everyone in the church.

Everyone: Clothe Yourselves with Humility

That’s where Peter goes next in verse 5: “Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’”

That’s a quote from Proverbs 3:34. Proverbs often contrasts the foolish and the wise. The foolish are proud; and the Lord has strong words against them. Proverbs 8:13, “I hate pride and arrogance.” The Lord tears down the house of the proud,” Proverbs 15:25. In the list of seven abominations the Lord hates, first on the list in Proverbs 6 is “haughty eyes.” The consistent pattern is that God opposes the proud. Why such strong opposition to pride? Because pride refuses to see ourselves as God’s creatures. Pride wants to replace God and act like God instead of depending on God.

But in Proverbs 3, you find a different person portrayed: the wise person who walks humbly before God. He walks like a son gladly submitting to his father (Prov 3:1). He doesn’t lean on his own understanding, but his trust is in the Lord (Prov 3:5). He’s not wise in his own eyes, but he fears the Lord (Prov 3:7). He doesn’t use possessions to promote himself but stewards them to honor the Lord (Prov 3:9). He doesn’t reject the Lord’s discipline but patiently receives and learns from it (Prov 3:11).

Humility characterizes the wise. God’s disposition is to give grace to the humble. God gives grace to those who know they need it. God loves giving grace to the humble, because the humble are a stage for God to display his wisdom, his power, his provision. When we walk humbly before the Lord, he promises every grace you need.

But this humility before the Lord also produces a humility before each other. That’s why Peter says to “clothe yourselves with humility toward one another.” That’s an active thing. Humility doesn’t come automatically—any more than you getting dressed for the day comes automatically. You’ve got some choices to make so that your attire fits the occasion. Same with humility. Put on humility when you get up in the morning. Wear it into every relationship. Let it characterize your interactions.

How does that work? Well, for example, when you know your deep need before God, you won’t put yourself above others—you know you are nothing apart from grace. Or when you’re not “wise in your own eyes,” you’re more prone to listen to others, more ready to receive criticism, more patient in teaching. Or when you realize how much grace you’ve been shown, you will humbly and freely give grace to others. Or when you learn how much the Lord stoops to serve you, you will go low to serve others. Humility before the Lord works itself out in relation to others. Peter says, clothe yourselves with it.

We’ll consider a few practical ways to do that next week. Especially as Peter says to “humble yourselves before the Lord by casting all your anxieties upon the Lord, because he cares for you.” But today, let’s close with this: clothe yourself with humility by considering often the humility of Christ on the cross. Humility, humility, humility, Augustine said of the Christian religion; and he was right. He was right because Christianity revolves around Jesus. Humility is necessary for all, but it starts with the elders imaging Christ. The humility of Jesus is the centerpiece here.

But considering it from two different angles. What person can stand next to the cross and think of himself too highly. John Stott puts it this way: “Every time we look at the cross Christ seems to be saying to us, ‘I am here because of you. It is your sin I am bearing, your curse I am suffering, your debt I am paying, your death I am dying.’ Nothing in history or in the universe cuts us down to size like the cross. All of us have inflated views of ourselves, especially in self-righteousness, until we have visited a place called Calvary. It is there, at the foot of the cross, that we shrink to our true size.”

But in another angle is this: Jesus’ cross also motivates humble action toward each other. In him we find the true Son of Proverbs 3 submitting to his Father, fearing the Lord, trusting his Father’s ways, even when that led him through the cross. If anyone deserved glory and honor and the best seat in the house, it was the Son of God. He wore the crown of glory, but he chose a crown of thorns. He chose to come in the manner of a servant. He washed his disciples’ feet and patiently taught them when they didn’t understand. He loved them till the end, even to the point of death on the cross.

Philippians 2 says that when you grasp Jesus’ humility, that affects how you treat others: you stop doing things from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility you count others more significant than yourselves. Peter is getting at the same thing in his letter. He held up Christ in 2:20 as the true example of humility; and we are called to follow in his steps. Hard? Yes. The path of humility toward others may lead through places like Gethsemane, and Golgotha. But you need not worry. God gives grace to the humble. Everything you need to endure, will be provided.

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[i] See Letter 118, To Dioscorus, paragraph 22 in Saint Augustine, The Works of Saint Augustine: Letters (New York: New City Press, 2003).

[ii] James Hay and Henry Belfrage, Memoir of the Rev. Alexander Waugh (Edinburgh: William Oliphant & Son, 1839), 64–65.

[iii] David Mathis, Workers for Your Joy (Wheaton: Crossway, 2022), 47.

[iv] Peter Davids, 1 Peter, NICNT (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1990), 184.