Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion, but voluntarily, not for dishonest gain, but willingly;
taking the oversight thereof: Elders have the responsibility to feed the flock, tend the flock, and take the oversight (episkopeo) which is "to look upon, to contemplate." Oversight is to be exercised. The duties are to be performed (Acts 20:28-35; John 21:15-17).