What does 1 Peter 5:1 mean?
Peter is about to give specific instructions to the leaders of the Christian churches who will read his letter. He calls them the elders, from presbyterous in the original Greek. The position of elder in the local church is referenced throughout the New Testament (1 Timothy 5:17; Titus 1:5–6). These are mature, experienced Christians, charged with leading the local churchesPeter makes his appeal to these leaders as one who is also an elder. In addition, however, Peter points to his experience as an eyewitness to the sufferings of Christ. He personally saw the events he preached about. He further identifies himself as one who will share in the glory to be revealed when Christ returns. This glory will be shared by all who have shared in Christ's sufferings (1 Peter 4:13). Thus, Peter reveals that he himself has shared in the sufferings of Christ.
With that introduction, Peter will spend the next three verses telling the elders of the church how to "shepherd the flock."