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If Christ is the model for all Christians who face suffering, the leaders among them must be the best representatives of that model. Thus Peter addresses the elders not as a weighty apostle, but as a fellow elder in whose life the model of Christ may be seen. It is as one who presently suffers and who anticipates future glory that he addresses the elders (5:1).
As a leader who models the Christlike life, he urges his fellow elders to do the same. They must not lead by coercion or domination or for selfish gain. Rather, they must shepherd the flock of God, principally by way of example, so that when the Chief Shepherd (Christ) appears they may receive glory (5:3-4). That is, as Christ the Shepherd cared for his people by providing an example (2:21-24), so these elders must do for those in their charge.
If such a leadership style seems rather meek and unassuming, it does so by design. Peter concludes this section by exhorting all members of the community to relate to each other in a spirit of humility (5:5). He does this for good reason: Ultimately all things lie in the mighty hand of God who opposes the arrogant but gives grace to the humble. Consequently, Christians (both leaders and followers) must be submissive to God’s mighty hand and await the grace that is sure to come. In the meantime, they commit all their cares to him who cares for them (5:6-7).