1 Peter 5:3 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Over God's heritage,— There is nothing for God's in the original; the word κληροι, seems here to denote those distinct congregations of Christians, which fell to the lot, as it were, of different pastors; alluding to the division of Canaan by lots. Comp. Deuteronomy 4:20; Deuteronomy 9:29. They are called in the next sentence, the flock. Dr. Heylin renders it, Lords over them who are allotted to you: for all Christians are the Lord's portion, and the lot of his inheritance. It has been well observed, that the church of Rome could not well have acted more directly contrary to the injunction of St. Peter, if she had studied to disobey it, and to form herself upon a rule that should be the reverse of this. For, what can be called, Lording it over God's heritage, if the requiring a blind and implicit faith from all her members be not so? Or, the commanding men to lay aside their reason and understanding, in order to become good Christians? This is to lord it over the disciples of Christ in a most tyrannical manner; and most daringly to disobey the command of him, whom they style, "Prince of the apostles, and Head of their Church." Erasmus has observed, "That by the κληροι, clergy, here, we are not to understand the priests and deacons, but the flock;—the Christians over whom the bishop was set; and this precept of the apostle (says he,) ought to be written up in the halls of bishops, even in gold letters, Feed the flock of God. Do not oppress it; do not fleece it; and feed it, not by constraint, or as bound to it by virtue of your office; but out of sincere affection, like the fathers of the church: not for filthy lucre's sake;—as if St. Peter had foreseen the plagues which would arise to the church from hence: lastly, not aslording it, but feed it by your good example; conquer it by your good actions. Go before the people in all the virtues of the Christian life; and even in suffering persecution for the sake of your religion. Kings may rule over the unwilling, but Christian bishops over none but the willing; and nothing can recommend their instructions more than a good example."