What Does 1 Peter 5:3 Mean in the King James?

Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
1 Peter 5:3 · KJV
The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

A shepherd cannot own God’s portion; the authority entrusted to a leader takes the shape of a life others can see.

Where you hold responsibility now, the people in your care remain God’s portion; their lives are not yours to possess. The shape of your leadership is visible in the pattern your conduct leaves among them.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

The lie is that being entrusted with people makes them yours to control. This verse keeps ownership with God and gives leadership its visible form in example.

κατακυριεύοντες

katakyrieuontes

GROWS FROM

κυρι-

kyri-

lordship or mastery

“lords over” in this verse is katakyrieuontes. The word ⁨κατακυριεύοντες⁩ (katakyrieuontes, exercising mastery) names rule that takes hold over others. The verse rejects mastery as the shape of shepherding, keeping the shepherd’s role bounded by the fact that the flock is God’s portion.

ALSO GROWS

kyrieuō: to rule, have dominion

κυριεύω

This related verb makes explicit the exercise of lordship contained in the word.

kyriotēs: dominion, lordship

κυριότης

This noun names the authority relation the verse refuses to make the shepherd’s defining posture.

κλήρων

klērōn

GROWS FROM

κληρ-

klēr-

lot, allotted share, portion

The word ⁨κλήρων⁩ (klērōn, portions or allotments) presents the flock as belonging to God, not as property transferred to its shepherds. English “heritage” can hide the sense of a share entrusted to someone’s care while remaining another’s possession.

ALSO GROWS

klēronomia: inheritance, allotted possession

κληρονομία

This related word carries the idea of a share received as an inheritance, clarifying the sense of God’s portion.

klēronomos: heir, one who receives an allotted share

κληρονόμος

The heir receives a portion; the word’s family keeps attention on whose share it is.

τύποι

typoi

GROWS FROM

τυπ-

typ-

a strike or impression that leaves a form

“ensamples” in this verse is typoi. The word ⁨τύποι⁩ (typoi, patterns or impressions) makes leadership visible: the shepherd becomes a form the flock can encounter and follow. The contrast is between mastery exercised over people and a life that leaves its mark among them.

ALSO GROWS

typtō: to strike

τύπτω

This related verb gives the root’s concrete sense of an impact that leaves a mark.

typōsis: form, pattern

τύπωσις

This related noun names the formed outline that makes an impression recognizable.

Scripture measures leadership by the form it leaves in others, exposing domination as a misuse of care.

The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.
Ezekiel 34:4 · KJVThe shepherds’ rule is exposed as force and cruelty when it fails to care for the flock entrusted to them.
But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
Matthew 20:25 · KJVThe verse names dominion over others as a familiar form of authority, which Peter’s image of shepherding refuses.
So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.
1 Thessalonians 1:7 · KJVThe same word for “ensamples” describes a community whose life becomes a visible pattern for others.
So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.
1 Thessalonians 1:7 · KJV

The Greek noun ⁨τύποι⁩ (typoi, patterns or impressions) appears in both verses. Here the pattern is embodied by those who tend the flock; there it is carried by a community, extending the image from shepherds to the people among them.

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1 Peter 5:3 KJV Meaning