1 Peter 5:2

Feed the flock of God, &c.— Every bishop and pastor was to feed his own flock; that is, the particular church of which he had the care; there he was to lead the Christian people by his example, doctrines, and admonitions. This precept is similar to that which our Lord gave to St. Peter himself, John 21:15; John 21:25. What we render, Taking the oversight thereof, is, literally, Discharging the episcopal office, or, the duty of a bishop;— 'Επισκοπουντες; which some understand as denoting the work and office of the elders. See the passages in the margin. Upon the words, Not by constraint, Dr. Doddridge observes, "It is true, that in the primitive church some were, almost against their will, forced into theepiscopal office by dint of importunity: and one would hope it was not an affected modesty with which they declined the office; especially as it was then attended with no temporal emoluments, but exposed them to distinguished labours and sufferings. It is difficult to see how anycould, in the strictest sense, be constrained; but, perhaps, the apostle saw some good men too unwilling to accept the office when the churches chose them to it, and when inspired teachers urged it upon them: and though little gain could have been made of it, and the temptation to lord it over God's heritage was not so great as when ecclesiastical persons were invested with civil power; (in which most of the honour and influence of their ecclesiastical character, as such, has been generally lost,) yet, foreseeing what would happen in the church, and observing perhaps some discoveries of such a temper beginning to prevail, the caution was exceedingly just, proper, and important."