1 Peter 5:3
New International Version
not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

New Living Translation
Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example.

English Standard Version
not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.

Berean Standard Bible
not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

Berean Literal Bible
not as exercising lordship over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.

King James Bible
Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

New King James Version
nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;

New American Standard Bible
nor yet as domineering over those assigned to your care, but by proving to be examples to the flock.

NASB 1995
nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.

NASB 1977
nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.

Legacy Standard Bible
nor yet as lording it over those allotted to you, but being examples to the flock.

Amplified Bible
not lording it over those assigned to your care [do not be arrogant or overbearing], but be examples [of Christian living] to the flock [set a pattern of integrity for your congregation].

Christian Standard Bible
not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

American Standard Version
neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves ensamples to the flock.

Contemporary English Version
Don't be bossy to those people who are in your care, but set an example for them.

English Revised Version
neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves ensamples to the flock.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Don't be rulers over the people entrusted to you, but be examples for the flock to follow.

Good News Translation
Do not try to rule over those who have been put in your care, but be examples to the flock.

International Standard Version
Do not lord it over the people entrusted to you, but be examples to the flock.

Majority Standard Bible
not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

NET Bible
And do not lord it over those entrusted to you, but be examples to the flock.

New Heart English Bible
neither as lording it over those entrusted to you, but making yourselves examples to the flock.

Webster's Bible Translation
Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock.

Weymouth New Testament
not lording it over your Churches but proving yourselves patterns for the flock to imitate.

World English Bible
not as lording it over those entrusted to you, but making yourselves examples to the flock.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
neither as exercising lordship over the heritages, but becoming patterns for the flock,

Berean Literal Bible
not as exercising lordship over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.

Young's Literal Translation
neither as exercising lordship over the heritages, but patterns becoming of the flock,

Smith's Literal Translation
Neither as ruling over the portions obtained by lot, but being types of the flock.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Neither as lording it over the clergy, but being made a pattern of the flock from the heart.

Catholic Public Domain Version
not so as to dominate by means of the clerical state, but so as to be formed into a flock from the heart.

New American Bible
Do not lord it over those assigned to you, but be examples to the flock.

New Revised Standard Version
Do not lord it over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Live not as overlords over the flock, but as good examples to them.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Not as lords of the flock, but as you would be excellent examples.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
neither as being lords over God's possessions, but being examples to the flock.

Godbey New Testament
Not as domineering over the heritages, but having become examples of the flock:

Haweis New Testament
not as domineering over your allotted congregations, but as being examples of the flock.

Mace New Testament
not to domineer over the laity, but to be examples for their imitation;

Weymouth New Testament
not lording it over your Churches but proving yourselves patterns for the flock to imitate.

Worrell New Testament
neither as lording it over the allotted charges, but becoming examples to the flock;

Worsley New Testament
nor as lording it over the people, but being examples to the flock.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Instructions to Elders
2Be 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; 3not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.…

Cross References
Matthew 20:25-28
But Jesus called them aside and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them. / It shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, / and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave— ...

Mark 10:42-45
So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them. / But it shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, / and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all. ...

John 13:13-15
You call Me Teacher and Lord, and rightly so, because I am. / So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. / I have set you an example so that you should do as I have done for you.

2 Corinthians 1:24
Not that we lord it over your faith, but we are fellow workers with you for your joy, because it is by faith that you stand firm.

1 Thessalonians 2:7-8
On the contrary, we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother caring for her children. / We cared so deeply that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our own lives as well. That is how beloved you have become to us.

1 Timothy 4:12
Let no one despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

1 Timothy 5:1-2
Do not rebuke an older man, but appeal to him as to a father. Treat younger men as brothers, / older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.

Titus 1:7-9
As God’s steward, an overseer must be above reproach—not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not greedy for money. / Instead, he must be hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. / He must hold firmly to the faithful word as it was taught, so that he can encourage others by sound teaching and refute those who contradict it.

Hebrews 13:7
Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.

Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to lead with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you.

James 3:1
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.

Ezekiel 34:2-4
“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Woe to the shepherds of Israel, who only feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed their flock? / You eat the fat, wear the wool, and butcher the fattened sheep, but you do not feed the flock. / You have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bound up the injured, brought back the strays, or searched for the lost. Instead, you have ruled them with violence and cruelty.

Jeremiah 23:1-4
“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” declares the LORD. / Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says about the shepherds who tend My people: “You have scattered My flock and driven them away, and have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your deeds, declares the LORD. / Then I Myself will gather the remnant of My flock from all the lands to which I have banished them, and I will return them to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and multiply. ...

Zechariah 11:17
Woe to the worthless shepherd, who deserts the flock! May a sword strike his arm and his right eye! May his arm be completely withered and his right eye utterly blinded!”

Isaiah 40:11
He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. He gently leads the nursing ewes.


Treasury of Scripture

Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

as.

Ezekiel 34:4
The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.

Matthew 20:25,26
But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them…

Matthew 23:8-10
But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren…

being lords over.

1 Peter 2:9
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Deuteronomy 32:9
For the LORD'S portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance.

Psalm 33:12
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

but.

1 Corinthians 11:11
Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.

Philippians 3:17
Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

Philippians 4:9
Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Jump to Previous
Allotted Charge Churches Domineering Ensamples Entrusted Examples Exercising Flock God's Heritage Heritages Imitate Making Models Patterns Proving Yourselves
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Allotted Charge Churches Domineering Ensamples Entrusted Examples Exercising Flock God's Heritage Heritages Imitate Making Models Patterns Proving Yourselves
1 Peter 5
1. He exhorts the elders to feed their flocks;
5. the younger to obey;
8. and all to be sober, watchful, and constant in the faith;
9. and to resist the cruel adversary the devil.














not lording it over
The phrase "not lording it over" comes from the Greek word "katakurieuo," which means to exercise dominion or control in a domineering manner. In the historical context of the early church, leaders were often tempted to wield their authority in a way that mirrored the oppressive rulers of the time. This exhortation is a call to humility and servant leadership, reflecting Jesus' own teaching in Matthew 20:25-28, where He contrasts worldly authority with the servant leadership He exemplifies. The conservative Christian perspective emphasizes that true leadership in the church is not about power or control but about serving others in love and humility.

those entrusted to you
The phrase "those entrusted to you" highlights the responsibility and stewardship that church leaders have over their congregations. The Greek word "kleros" can be translated as "lot" or "portion," indicating that the people are a divine inheritance or portion given to the leaders by God. This underscores the sacred trust and accountability leaders have before God for the spiritual well-being of their flock. In a conservative Christian view, this trust is not to be taken lightly, as leaders are called to nurture, protect, and guide their congregations with the utmost care and integrity.

but being examples
"Being examples" is derived from the Greek word "tupos," which means a pattern or model. This calls leaders to live lives that are worthy of imitation, reflecting the character and teachings of Christ. In the historical context, the early church faced persecution and challenges, making it crucial for leaders to demonstrate steadfast faith and moral integrity. From a conservative Christian perspective, this is a timeless principle, as leaders are called to embody the virtues of the Christian faith, serving as living testimonies to the transformative power of the Gospel.

to the flock
The term "flock" is a metaphor for the church community, drawing on the imagery of shepherding found throughout Scripture. In the Old Testament, God is often depicted as a shepherd caring for His people (e.g., Psalm 23), and Jesus identifies Himself as the Good Shepherd in John 10. This imagery conveys the idea of care, guidance, and protection. In the early church, leaders were seen as under-shepherds, serving under Christ, the Chief Shepherd. From a conservative Christian perspective, this emphasizes the pastoral role of leaders to nurture and protect the spiritual well-being of their congregations, following the example of Christ Himself.

(3) Neither as being lords.--Rather, nor yet as lording it. The English version is somewhat too strict for the Greek and for the sense. There is a sense in which the heads of the Church are, and ought to be, lords and princes over the rest; but this is very different from "lording it," acting tyrannically, forgetting the constitutional rights of their subjects.

Over God's heritage.--Quite literally, Over the lots. The word first of all means (as in Matthew 27:35 or Acts 1:26) the actual scrap of paper or wood that was tossed. Then it comes to mean (like the word "lot" in the language of auctions) the piece of property that falls by lot to any one's share. Then all notion of chance disappears, and it comes to mean the portion assigned to any one. So St. Peter says that Simon Magus has "no share nor lot in this thing" (Acts 8:21). In Acts 26:18, Colossians 1:12, the same word is rendered "inheritance." In Acts 17:4, our version endeavours, not very successfully, through the Latin word "consorted," to keep up the underlying notion of the Greek, which literally is "were allotted to Paul and Silas." Here, therefore, we must understand "the lots," over which the clergy are not to lord it, to be the different congregations, districts, parishes, dioceses, which had been allotted to them. At the same time it does not at all imply that any process like drawing of lots had been resorted to in their appointment, as is seen from Acts 17:4, just cited. It will be seen that our version is misleading in substituting singular for plural, and in inserting the word "God's." The whole flock is God's (1Peter 5:2), purchased with His own blood; but the "allotments" are the portions assigned by Him to the different clergy. It is some consolation to see, when we groan under the lives and characters of some church officers now, that even in the Apostles' days cowardice, greed, and self-assertion were not unknown. . . .

Verse 3. - Neither as being lords over God's heritage; rather, as in the Revised Version, neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you. The κατά ιν τηε verb κατακυριέω is not only intensive, it implies something of scorn and tyranny or even of hostility, as also in καταδυναστεύω (James 2:6); comp. Matthew 20:25. The literal rendering of the clause is, "lording it over the lots." The Authorized Version, following Beza, supplies τοῦ Θεοῦ, "God's heritage." But if this were the apostle's meaning, he would surely have used the singular, κλῆρος, "the lot or portion of God;" and it is very unlikely that he would have left the most important word to be supplied. Some commentators take κλῆροι in its modern sense, of the clergy, as if St. Peter was commanding the bishops not to tyrannize over the inferior clergy. But this view involves an anachronism; the word had not acquired this meaning in St. Peter's time. It is clearly best to understand it of the lots or portions assigned to individual presbyters. The word κλῆρος originally meant a "lot" (Matthew 27:35; Acts 1:26), then portions assigned by casting lots, as the possessions of the tribes of Israel (Joshua 18 and 19), then any portion or inheritance however obtained; thus in Deuteronomy 10:9 the Lord is said to be the Inheritance κλῆρος of the Levites. In later times the word was applied to the clergy, who were regarded as, in a special sense, the Lord's portion or inheritance, perhaps because God was pleased to take the tribe of Levi instead of the firstborn, saying, the Levites shall be mine (Numbers 3:12). But being ensamples to the flock; literally, becoming examples. They must imitate the great Example, the Lord Jesus, and, by gradual imitation of his blessed character, become examples themselves. Thus they will acquire a more salutary influence and a truer authority. "The life should command, and the tongue persuade" (Athanasius, quoted by Fronmuller).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
not
μηδ’ (mēd’)
Conjunction
Strong's 3366: And not, not even, neither?nor. From me and de; but not, not even; in a continued negation, nor.

lording it over
κατακυριεύοντες (katakyrieuontes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2634: To exercise authority over, overpower, master. From kata and kurieuo; to lord against, i.e. Control, subjugate.

those entrusted to you,
κλήρων (klērōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 2819: (a) a lot, (b) a portion assigned; hence: a portion of the people of God assigned to one's care, a congregation.

but
ἀλλὰ (alla)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

being
γινόμενοι (ginomenoi)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.

examples
τύποι (typoi)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5179: From tupto; a die, i.e. a stamp or scar; by analogy, a shape, i.e. A statue, style or resemblance; specially, a sampler, i.e. A model or instance.

to the
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

flock.
ποιμνίου (poimniou)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 4168: A little flock. Neuter of a presumed derivative of poimne; a flock, i.e. group.


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NT Letters: 1 Peter 5:3 Neither as lording it over those entrusted (1 Pet. 1P iP i Pet)
1 Peter 5:2
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