The Unfading Crown of Glory

As we saw in our last study, the pastors and elders of the church have a weighty responsibility. They are to shepherd the “flock of God” with loving care, not domineering over them as unaccountable autocrats but serving as examples of godliness (1 Peter 5:1–3). This is a difficult task, to be sure, but it is not impossible. Church leaders will find help in fulfilling Peter’s admonition when they remember two things.

First, pastors and elders must keep in mind that the Christians over whom they have authority are the “flock of God” (v. 2). Ultimately, the sheep who make up the church belong not to its undershepherds but to God Himself. Underscoring this point, Peter refers in today’s verse to the return of “the chief Shepherd”—that is, Christ Himself (v. 4). This title reminds us that Jesus is the final authority in the church and that pastors and elders shepherd under His authority and in His name. They are not lords but servants who must lead with the good of the sheep in view. As the Chief Shepherd, the Lord is kind and patient toward His people, and His undershepherds must imitate Him in this. Matthew Henry comments that “[Christians] are not [the pastors’ and elders’], to be lorded over at pleasure; but they are God’s people, and should be treated with love, meekness, and tenderness, for the sake of him to whom they belong.”

Second, pastors and elders have the expectation of a reward to encourage them in shepherding the church as Peter has instructed. At the return of Christ, those pastors and elders who shepherd the flock of God lovingly according to His command “will receive the unfading crown of glory” (v. 4). Being called to be an undershepherd, to bear the office of pastor or elder, is no small thing, and fulfilling the office will require much of those who are called if they are to do it well. Yet Jesus does not call men to eldership or the pastorate without promise of recompense. The “unfading crown of glory” that undershepherds are promised likely refers to extra rewards that faithful pastors and elders will receive in addition to eternal life, though those rewards are not specifically defined. Unlike the crowns of leaves awarded to winners of ancient athletic competitions, crowns that wilted and faded over time, this crown given to pastors and elders will last forever, never fading away.