5:3
There is to be authority in the church, but leaders are not to “lord it over” the flock. Ie leaders are not to strut about glorying in their authority. Instead they are to treat the people with respect and honour, and we lead mostly by example. This echoes the words of Jesus in Matthew 20:25-28. Now this does not mean leaders never exert authority, there are numerous examples in Acts and in the letters of Paul and others giving very clear instructions and correction. Infact part of the reason much of the church is in a poor shape is the lack of authority, but it needs to be done in the right way and with the right attitude.
5:4
The human approach is to seek glory now, to seek the approval and praise of men. The godly approach is to seek God’s approval and His praise. All our life needs to be governed by the fact that Jesus is Lord of All, and that one day He will return and all, including us, will have to give an account to Him. We are to live our lives looking forward to receiving a favourable report on that day. This is not earning our salvation, rather it is a fruit of our salvation. The approval of men is at best fleeting, and will certainly be of no account when we die. But the glory that Jesus gives lasts forever.
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