| The word 'therefore' appears at the beginning of verse 1 in most modern versions of this chapter. That would connect these verses with what has gone before. Because of the trials the Christians were facing, the elders had a particular responsibility to feed and care for them spiritually. Who were the elders? They were the ordained leaders of the early churches. On Paul's first missionary journey, he ordained elders in every church. There were elders in the church at Jerusalem. One of the greatest messages in the book of Acts is Paul's message to the Ephesian elders (Acts 20:17-35). It was a simple form of church government and there is no reference in any way to an elaborate carefully worked out priesthood. The qualifications of elders are found in the epistles to Timothy and Titus. Some of their duties are given in these verses. They were to feed the flock of God. The word 'feed' means 'to shepherd' or 'to tend'. In other words they were to help meet every need of the church members. They were also to take the oversight of the church, not because they had to but because they wanted to; because they believed it to be God's will that they should serve in this way. They must also be an example to the church. This is just as true and as necessary today. The word 'example' in verse 3 could be translated 'a pattern to be copied'. There is a special reward also for Christian workers. A crown in Peter's day was a reward for winning a race or a battle. The crown which Christ will give to faithful Christian workers is one that will last for ever. Doesn't that make our work worthwhile? A PRAYER:
Lord help me to be sensitive to the needs of your flock and help me to meet those needs always. | 
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