The term “elder” was not a title of an administrative position that focuses on the mundane affairs of the business, including the maintenance of a church building, keeping the worship orderly, and deciding who they will hire to teach. Instead, they are spiritual leaders who occupy a place of honor in the hearts of the flock. The honor was due to their undying commitment to leading God’s people by teaching and being a living example of their teaching. It was a position of honor not because of the person who occupied it but because of the work given by the Spirit (“works sake”).
Because their work was stewardship given by God, brethren would be willing to place themselves under their watchful eye. The time and personal supervision of each soul were not invasive because these shepherds were approved by God and chosen by men of God. Today, we would not be willing to subject ourselves to such an invasion of personal privacy because members of a local church recognize that their elders are neither men appointed by an apostle or evangelist, nor are they fully skilled to teach and gain such confidence and honor by first-century brethren. This is a serious responsibility that one “willingly” took upon himself to shepherd “God’s heritage” not as Lords over the flock but as ensamples to it (1 Peter 5:3). They served with fear and trembling, realizing that they will one day give an account to the chief shepherd concerning their leadership of God’s heritage. Unlike the workplace, it was not motivated by money (filthy lucre, 1 Peter 5:3), power, or prestige but by love and sacrifice for all sheep of the flock.