“nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;” (1 Peter 5:3).
The Gospel of Mark records an interaction between Jesus and His disciples that relates to our passage from 1 Peter 5:3…
“So Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant'” (Mark 10:42-43 NLT).
1 Peter 5:3 calls our attention to Jesus’ counsel from this passage and the alternative mindset that should exist for leaders within His church. In a secular world where it is not unusual to encounter those who lead by threat, coercion, or intimidation, God-honoring ministers should not lord over those who have been entrusted to their care. For instance, the New Testament epistle of 3 John provides us with an example to avoid…
“I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will have nothing to do with us. So if I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, gossiping maliciously about us. Not satisfied with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church. Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God” (3 John 1:9-11 NIV).
So it seems that Diotrephes held a position of authority within the church, as evidenced by his ability to excommunicate those who disagreed with him. In addition, it appears that he was a rather controlling person. We can also say that Diotrephes sought to be acknowledged as a prominent figure within his fellowship, since we are told that he loved to be first among others.
Unfortunately, Diotrephes added to that list of negative characteristics by spreading malicious gossip. And if that wasn’t enough to manipulate others into compliance, he was not above leveraging his position to enforce his agenda: “…He not only refuses to welcome fellow believers, but he even stops those who want to do so and expels them from the church” (CEB).
In light of this, we would be wise to watch for these character traits and avoid those leaders who adopt them. As one commentator observes, “If a man considers the church as his own, then he is indeed likely to rule in an improper manner.” (1)
(1) E. M. Zerr, Bible Commentary, 1 Peter (Marion, Indiana: Cogdill Foundation, 1954), p. 266. Quoted in Coffman, James Burton. “Commentary on 1 Peter 4”. “Coffman’s Commentaries on the Bible”. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bcc/1-peter-5.html. Abilene Christian University Press, Abilene, Texas, USA. 1983-1999.