Peter and Paul’s Views on Leadership

RLM / May 2025

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Peter’s Teaching on Elders / No Domineering Individuals, Rather Good Examples

1 Peter 5:1–4 (ESV) / 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.

Let’s examine the threefold lesson that he gives us on what leaders are supposed to be.  These are beautiful words.

• Exercising oversight / Not under compulsion but willingly
• (Oversee, guard) (not because you think you have to, or others tell you to)

• Not for shameful gain / but eagerly
• (Shamefully greedy) (showing keen interest)

• Not domineering over / but being examples to the flock
• (Exercising control) (but as types, patterns)

Peter’s view of eldership and leadership agrees positively with Jesus’ words in the gospel, using the same language for “not domineering” as if he was listening to his Lord.

There is no power here outside of the power to share the word.  The word has power, the elders are “overseers” not “overlords” and they are not “domineering” but rather examples and patterns of how to live.  If the elders are demonstrating dominance toward others the message they are giving is to be great you must be dominant as well.  This leads to all sorts of trouble.

These are all couched with the idea of “shepherding.”  God wants leaders to be shepherds, and this was not a proud profession.  The shepherd was more concerned with the flock than himself — whenever we start doing things that protect ourselves and hurt others, we should beware.  

Jesus is the chief shepherd, he is overseeing the under-shepherds, he will return, and he will reward them based upon their behavior as shepherds. 

Paul on Leadership / Qualified and Accountable

Paul takes a different tact on his discussions of leadership.  His focus primarily on the ideas of qualifications to leadership.  Such qualifications indeed rule out men who are arrogant and bullies, and focus on people who are more in line with Jesus’ teaching.

We will examine 1 Timothy 3 as opposed to Titus 3, just for the sake of time.  It might be helpful to examine Titus 3 as well in your own convenience .

If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.  Notice already, it is not a position, but an action.  

• Above reproach irreproachable in character (nothing with which to hold on)
• The husband of one wife a one woman kind of man (not a womanizer
• Sober-minded not given to extremes in behavior, temperate
• Self-controlled keeping self-control over passions and desires
• Respectable befitting propriety or moderation
• Hospitable treats strangers with cordiality and generosity
• Able to teach can teach well
• Not a drunkard not addicted to wine and strong drink
• Not violent, a cruel or brutal person, a bully
• But gentle merciful or tolerant of slight deviations of moral thoughts
• Not quarrelsome inclined or disposed to peace (personal relationships)
• Not a lover of money not characterized by greed or wealth
• Manages is own household leads, directs, gives aid
• Not a recent convert not a plant not recently sown
• Not puffed up / conceited not a proud one, puffed up with air, arrogant, stupid
• Thought well of outsiders a witness to outsiders

Taking these qualities in total we see a picture of a person who is circumspect, kind, hospitable, not arrogant, not a bully, caring, self controlled.  These are the kinds of people who not only are submitted to, but also can submit to others and not rule over others with iron fists.

The ones like this who “rule well” — this word used in 1 Timothy 5:17 gives the impression of taking leadership, the task of caring for others, not controlling.  This is seen as a hard working person who gets double honor (respect and renumeration) because of the task that they do.  Ruling is a very strong word here, and connotes a bit more than the Greek, or Paul, intends.  It is not an imperial word, but a managerial word.

Of greatest importance to Paul was the concept of a multiplicity of elders, and elders who are willing to watch the behaviors and doctrines of all the other elders around them.  This is a key element in endearing, it is keeping each other accountable.

Acts 20:28–35 (ESV) / 28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. 35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

The false wolves would arise from “other elders” and they will not encourage people to be disciples of Jesus, but rather follow themselves.  They are like fierce wolves who do not care so much about the flock as they do themselves.  They will twist scripture, scripture such as we have been talking about, and make themselves greater than even God and command obedience.  

Look at the proper focus of these elders;

Be alert

• Commended to the Word of God / growth and sanctification
• Don’t covet gold or silver
• Hard working
• Helping the weak, as it is more blessed to give than receive

Notice in this passage the elders call to watch out for the weak. If they were “helping” the weak, they were not taking advantage of the weak.  They were caring for them.  There is no “overlording” or “power-play” in their minds.  It is about giving — for it is more blessed to give.

We see here Paul’s desire that elders are not overpowered, but accountable.  They are to be called out when they behave badly.  The apostle John had some strong words for Diotrephes because he “likes to put himself first” because he didn’t “welcome” John and his compatriots, the English ESV sticks the word “authority” in there, but this is a bit strong.  The fact is that Diotrephes puts himself first, did not welcome these other believers, talked wicked nonsense about them, stops those who want to welcome them and chucks those people out of the church.  This person was going way beyond his purpose as a leader (see 3 John 9-10).