Parallel Verses
An Understandable Version
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.
New American Standard Bible
shepherd
King James Version
Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
Holman Bible
Shepherd God’s flock among you,
International Standard Version
Be shepherds of God's flock that is among you, watching over it, not because you must but because you want to, and not greedily but eagerly, as God desires.
A Conservative Version
Tend ye the flock of God among you, watching over, not by obligation, but willingly, nor greedily, but readily,
American Standard Version
Tend the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not of constraint, but willingly, according to the will of God; nor yet for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
Amplified
shepherd and guide and protect the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not [motivated] for shameful gain, but with wholehearted enthusiasm;
Anderson New Testament
Act as shepherds to the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight, not by compulsion, but willingly; not for the sake of sordid gain, but from readiness of mind:
Bible in Basic English
Keep watch over the flock of God which is in your care, using your authority, not as forced to do so, but gladly; and not for unclean profit but with a ready mind;
Common New Testament
shepherd the flock of God that is under your care, serving as overseersnot under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;
Daniel Mace New Testament
to exhort you to feed the flock of God, which is among you: to take care of it, voluntarily, without reluctance, not from any view to sordid gain, but out of real affection;
Darby Translation
shepherd the flock of God which is among you, exercising oversight, not by necessity, but willingly; not for base gain, but readily;
Emphatic Diaglott Bible
Feed the flock of God, which is with you; exercising the overseer's office, not by constraint, but willingly; neither for the sake of sordid gain, but from good disposition;
Godbey New Testament
shepherdize the flock of God which is among you, not coercively, but willingly, for the sake of God; not for filthy lucre, but cheerfully.
John Wesley New Testament
Feed the flock of God which is among you, overseeing it not by constraint, but willingly, not for filthy gain, but of a ready mind,
Julia Smith Translation
Tend the flock of God which among you, inspecting, not by force, but voluntarily; neither occupied in sordid gain, but of a ready will;
King James 2000
Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for dishonest gain, but of a ready mind;
Lexham Expanded Bible
shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not by compulsion but willingly, in accordance with God, and not greedily but eagerly,
Modern King James verseion
Feed the flock of God among you, taking the oversight, not by compulsion, but willingly; nor for base gain, but readily;
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
see that ye feed Christ's flock, which is among you, taking the oversight of them: not as though ye were compelled thereto, but willingly; Not for the desire of filthy lucre, but of a good mind.
Moffatt New Testament
be shepherds to your flock of God; take charge of them willingly instead of being pressed to it, not to make a base profit from it but freely,
Montgomery New Testament
Be shepherds to your flock of God; take charge of them willingly, and not through compulsion; not for filthy lucre, but with a willing mind;
NET Bible
Give a shepherd's care to God's flock among you, exercising oversight not merely as a duty but willingly under God's direction, not for shameful profit but eagerly.
New Heart English Bible
Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion, but voluntarily, as God wants; not for dishonest gain, but willingly;
Noyes New Testament
tend the flock of God which is among you, overseeing it, not by constraint, but willingly; not for base gain, but with ready mind;
Sawyer New Testament
feed the flock of God which is among you, not by constraint but willingly, not for base gain but of a ready mind,
The Emphasized Bible
Shepherd the beloved flock of God, which is among you, - not by compulsion, but by choice, nor yet for base gain, but of a ready mind, -
Thomas Haweis New Testament
feed the flock of God which is among you, exercising your pastoral office not of necessity, but of choice, not for base gain, but with alacrity of mind;
Twentieth Century New Testament
I urge you to be true shepherds of the flock of God among you, not because you are compelled, but of your own free will; not from a base love of gain, but with a ready spirit;
Webster
Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight of it, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but from a ready mind;
Weymouth New Testament
Be shepherds of God's flock which is among you. Exercise the oversight not reluctantly but eagerly, in accordance with the will of God; not for base gain but with cheerful minds;
Williams New Testament
be shepherds of the flock of God that is among you, not as though you had to but of your own free will, not from the motive of personal profit but freely,
World English Bible
Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion, but voluntarily, not for dishonest gain, but willingly;
Worrell New Testament
feed the flock of God which is among you, overseeing it, not by constraint, but willingly; nor yet for base gain, but of a ready mind;
Worsley New Testament
taking the episcopal charge of it, not by constraint, but willingly; not for shameful lucre, but with a ready mind:
Youngs Literal Translation
feed the flock of God that is among you, overseeing not constrainedly, but willingly, neither for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind,
Themes
Church » Compared to a flock » Ministers as under-shepherds of
Elder » In the Christian church
Leaders » Preaching » As shepherds to feed the flock
Ministers » Work of preaching » As shepherds to feed the flock
Ministers » Remuneration of » Shepherds
Ministers » Should not be » Greedy of filthy lucre
Ministers » Are bound, to » Feed the church
Ministers » Should be » Willing
Readiness » For spiritual service
Religious » Support of unfaithful » As shepherds to feed the flock
Interlinear
References
Word Count of 37 Translations in 1 Peter 5:2
Verse Info
Context Readings
Leadership And Humility
1 So, the elders in the various places where you live, are to receive the following exhortation. (I too, am an elder and have witnessed the sufferings of Christ, and am also assured of partaking of the glorious [salvation, 1:5] that will someday be revealed). 2 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. 3 Do not act as dictators over the people you are assigned to care for, but [rather] serve as examples of how they ought to live.
Phrases
Names
Cross References
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.
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.
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.
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.
John 21:15-17
So, after they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you really love me more than these [other disciples do]?" Peter answered Him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." [Note: Since two different Greek words for "love" are used in this conversation, some scholars see a distinction in their meaning. See Butler, Vol. II, pp. 453-457 for a discussion of these views]. Jesus replied to him, "[Then] feed my lambs."
Acts 20:26-28
Therefore, I [must] declare to you today that I am not responsible for what happens to any of you.
Acts 20:33-34
[You know that] I had no greedy desire for anyone's silver, gold or clothing.
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?"
Romans 1:15
So, to the best of my ability, I am eager to preach the Gospel to all of you in Rome also.
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?
1 Corinthians 9:16-17
[But] I do not have anything to boast about if I preach the good news because I am compelled to do it. For it would be too bad for me if I did not preach the good news.
2 Corinthians 12:14-15
Now, this is the third time I have been ready to come to you, and I will not be a [financial] burden to you. For I do not want your possessions but you yourselves, because children should not [have to] save up for their parents, but parents for their children.
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.
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.
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,
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],
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.
Revelation 18:12-13
goods made of gold, silver, precious stones, pearls, expensive linen, purple [cloth], silk and scarlet [cloth]. [No one buys their] scented wood products, their articles made from ivory and expensive woods [i.e., furniture], their articles of brass, iron and marble.