1. 1 Peter 5:2 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

Why does Peter mention secondly “not for shameful gain, but eagerly”?

1 Peter 5:2 (ESV)

2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly;

The term translated as “shameful gain” catches the notion of financial benefit (and by extension, perhaps, reputational advantage and the like). The concept attractive to human flesh (namely, that all effort should be rewarded in this life) remains appealing among the elect (1 Peter 1:1). That might be the more so in a context where leadership-giving men are more likely to face fines and/or imprisonment, and so become inclined to charge their congregants for their services to cover their (potential) costs. As that was not Christ’s style (recall the previous phrase, “as God would have you”), elders in the flock of God may not operate according to that principle either. Instead, they are to do the work of shepherding “eagerly,” a word that speaks to their level of zeal and enthusiasm for looking after God’s flock. The attitude befitting an elder is an eagerness to give, not a hunger to get. See Mark 6:34 for Jesus’ example in ready serving, and Matthew 20:21 and Acts 8:18 for examples of seeking gain.