1 Peter 5:2 “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not…”

1 Peter 5:2

Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed, but out of eagerness;

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

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;

World English Bible

shepherd the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion, but voluntarily; not for dishonest gain, but willingly;

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;

Geneva Bible 1599

Feede the flocke of God, which dependeth vpon you, caring for it not by constraint, but willingly: not for filthy lucre, but of a ready minde:

Darby Translation

shepherd the flock of God which [is] among you, exercising oversight, not by necessity, but willingly; not for base gain, but readily;

Young's Literal Translation

feed the flock of God that [is] among you, overseeing not constrainedly, but willingly, neither for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind,

Bible in Basic English

Keep watch over the flock of God which is in your care, using your authority, not as forced to do so, but gladly; and not for unclean profit but with a ready mind;

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Cross references

“Feed”

Ezekiel 34:23 Micah 5:4 Micah 7:14 John 21:15–17 Song of Solomon 1:8 Isaiah 40:11

Ezekiel 34:23 · BSB

I will appoint over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will feed them. He will feed them and be their shepherd.

Micah 5:4 · BSB

He will stand and shepherd His flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majestic name of the LORD His God. And they will dwell securely, for then His greatness will extend to the ends of the earth.

Micah 7:14 · BSB

Shepherd with Your staff Your people, the flock of Your inheritance. They live alone in a woodland, surrounded by pastures. Let them graze in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old.

John 21:15–17 · BSB

When they had finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus replied, “Feed My lambs.”

Song of Solomon 1:8 · BSB

If you do not know, O fairest of women, follow the tracks of the flock, and graze your young goats near the tents of the shepherds.

Isaiah 40:11 · BSB

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.

“the flock”

1 Corinthians 9:7 Ezekiel 34:31 Zechariah 11:17 Luke 12:32 Isaiah 63:11 Jeremiah 13:17

1 Corinthians 9:7 · BSB

Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Who tends a flock and does not drink of its milk?

Ezekiel 34:31 · BSB

‘You are My flock, the sheep of My pasture, My people, and I am your God,’ declares the Lord GOD.”

Zechariah 11:17 · BSB

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!”

Luke 12:32 · BSB

Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.

Isaiah 63:11 · BSB

Then His people remembered the days of old, the days of Moses. Where is He who brought them through the sea with the shepherds of His flock? Where is the One who set His Holy Spirit among them,

Jeremiah 13:17 · BSB

But if you do not listen, I will weep in secret because of your pride. My eyes will overflow with tears, because the LORD’s flock has been taken captive.

“which is among you”

Psalm 78:71 Psalm 78:72 Acts 20:26 Acts 20:27

Psalm 78:71 · BSB

from tending the ewes He brought him to be shepherd of His people Jacob, of Israel His inheritance.

Psalm 78:72 · BSB

So David shepherded them with integrity of heart and guided them with skillful hands.

Acts 20:26 · BSB

Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men.

Acts 20:27 · BSB

For I did not shrink back from declaring to you the whole will of God.

“taking”

Hebrews 12:15

Hebrews 12:15 · BSB

See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God, and that no root of bitterness springs up to cause trouble and defile many.

“not by”

Isaiah 6:8 1 Corinthians 9:16 1 Corinthians 9:17

Isaiah 6:8 · BSB

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: “Whom shall I send? Who will go for Us?” And I said: “Here am I. Send me!”

1 Corinthians 9:16 · BSB

Yet when I preach the gospel, I have no reason to boast, because I am obligated to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!

1 Corinthians 9:17 · BSB

If my preaching is voluntary, I have a reward. But if it is not voluntary, I am still entrusted with a responsibility.

“not for”

Titus 1:7 1 Timothy 3:8 1 Timothy 3:3 Micah 3:11 Malachi 1:10 Titus 1:11

Titus 1:7 · BSB

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.

1 Timothy 3:8 · BSB

Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued or given to much wine or greedy for money.

1 Timothy 3:3 · BSB

not dependent on wine, not violent but gentle, peaceable, and free of the love of money.

Micah 3:11 · BSB

Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets practice divination for money. Yet they lean upon the LORD, saying, “Is not the LORD among us? No disaster can come upon us.”

Malachi 1:10 · BSB

“Oh, that one of you would shut the temple doors, so that you would no longer kindle useless fires on My altar! I take no pleasure in you,” says the LORD of Hosts, “and I will accept no offering from your hands.

Titus 1:11 · BSB

who must be silenced. For the sake of dishonorable gain, they undermine entire households and teach things they should not.

“of”

Titus 3:1 Acts 21:13 Romans 1:15 Titus 2:14

Titus 3:1 · BSB

Remind the believers to submit to rulers and authorities, to be obedient and ready for every good work,

Acts 21:13 · BSB

Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”

Romans 1:15 · BSB

That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.

Titus 2:14 · BSB

He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.

Also

Philemon 1:14

Philemon 1:14 · BSB

But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that your goodness will not be out of compulsion, but by your own free will.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

1As a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings, and a partaker of the glory to be revealed, I appeal to the elders among you:

3not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

Read 1 Peter 5