1 Peter 5:2

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

You should serve as shepherds of God’s flock [i.e., the church], among whom you minister, providing careful oversight [of the people], not because you feel forced to, but because you want to, as this is in accordance with the way God wants it to be. Do not [serve as elders] simply out of a desire for the income you receive, but because your heart is in it.

Cross References

Titus 1:7

As God’s manager [of the church], an overseer must be free from just blame, not a drunkard, not a fighter [and] not in love with money.

1 Timothy 3:8

Similarly, deacons should be serious-minded [i.e., dignified], not saying one thing while meaning another, not drinking a lot of wine [Note: The wine of Paul’s day was used as a common drink, and was either non-intoxicating or far less intoxicating than wine today], not wanting to get money by questionable [or, dishonest] means.

Titus 3:1

Remind the people [where you minister] to be in subjection to [civic] rulers, [governmental] authorities, to be obedient [to them], to be prepared for [doing] every good deed,

1 Timothy 3:3

[He must] not be a drunkard or a fighter, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not wanting to get money by questionable [or, dishonest] means.

1 Corinthians 9:7

What soldier ever served [in the army] and paid his own expenses? Who [ever] planted a grape orchard and did not get to eat some of the grapes it produced? Or, who [ever] tended a flock of goats and did not get to drink some of the milk?

2 Peter 2:3

And through greedy desires and deceptive words they will exploit you [for evil purposes]. But the judgment that they have had coming for a long time will not delay, but will eventually awaken [i.e., arrive] to bring destruction upon them.

Hebrews 12:15

Look carefully [at how you are living] so that no one falls away from God’s unearned favor, and that no “poisonous plant sprouts up” to cause trouble and corrupt many people [Note: This is an analogy from Deut. 29:16-18 being used as a warning against the evil influence of wicked people],

Titus 1:11

They must be silenced [because] they are upsetting entire families by teaching things they should not be for the shameful purpose of making money.

Luke 12:32

“[And], do not be afraid, little flock [Note: Jesus refers to His small band of disciples as sheep following Him as their Shepherd], for your Father was pleased to give you the kingdom.

Philemon 1:14

But I did not want to do anything without your permission, so that your goodness [of heart] would not be shown out of a feeling of obligation, but out of willingness.

Titus 2:14

He gave Himself up for us, to buy us back from [enslavement to] all [kinds of] wickedness and to purify for Himself a group of people who belong to Him and who are eager to do good deeds.

Romans 1:15

So, to the best of my ability, I am eager to preach the Gospel to all of you in Rome also.

Acts 21:13

[But] Paul answered, “What are you trying to do [by your] crying and breaking my heart [like this]? [Do you not know that] I am ready, not only to be chained up, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus?”

Acts 20:29

[Because] I know that after I am gone [from here] there will be vicious wolves [i.e., ravaging false teachers] who will come in among you, and they will not spare the flock [i.e., the congregation].