I Peter 5 Commentary
The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.
The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.
Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Chapter Context
In I Peter, the apostle Peter has been reminding his readers, chosen and set apart by God, that suffering is not unexpected for Christians. Rather than rebelling against earthly authorities during persecution, we are to see our suffering as a participation in Christ's own and a testimony to our hope. In this final chapter, I Peter 5, Peter concludes his letter to the scattered Christians in Asia Minor with practical instructions concerning leadership, humility, and spiritual vigilance.
Instructions to Elders (I Peter 5:1-4)
Peter, identifying himself as a fellow elder, addresses those in leadership positions within the church. He emphasizes that elders are part of God's chain of command, entrusted with shepherding God's flock. Just as Jesus instructed Peter to feed and tend to His sheep, so too are elders called to serve as shepherds of the "flock of God" (I Peter 5:2). This role is not to be pursued out of compulsion or greed for money, but willingly and eagerly. Elders are not to lord over those entrusted to them (I Peter 5:3), but to lead by example, demonstrating how to follow Christ through their own lives. They must remember that they are “under-shepherds,” caring for a flock that isn’t theirs—a flock the Lord “purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). This commitment to faithful service will be rewarded by the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ, with an unfading crown of glory when He returns (I Peter 5:4). Doctrine, conduct, and character are essential for pastors and elders to serve as examples to the flock.
Submission and Humility (I Peter 5:5-7)
Peter then turns his attention to the younger members of the church, urging them to be subject to the elders. This reflects a divinely ordained order, where newer believers recognize the God-given authority of more experienced Christians. However, this also places a significant responsibility on those older Christians to live in a manner worthy of such respect. More broadly, Peter calls all Christians to clothe themselves with humility toward one another, recognizing God's supreme authority. "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" (I Peter 5:5). True humility involves acknowledging that our significance comes from God alone. We can relinquish the need for self-promotion, trusting that He will exalt us in due time (I Peter 5:6). A practical expression of this humility is to cast all our anxieties on Him, knowing that He cares for us (I Peter 5:7). Pride leads us to insist on carrying burdens that we were never meant to bear alone. The Creator and ruler of the universe cares deeply about you.
Spiritual Warfare (I Peter 5:8-11)
Peter issues a crucial warning: "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (I Peter 5:8). This is the third time Peter exhorts his readers to be clear-minded and alert. He reminds us that we have a mortal enemy who seeks to destroy us and hinder the advancement of God's kingdom on earth. The devil wants to keep you from advancing God’s kingdom on earth, and don’t think you can fly under his radar. He wants to destroy you. The antidote to this threat is steadfast faith. We are to resist him, firm in our faith, knowing that our brothers and sisters throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering (I Peter 5:9). Remember that you can conquer Satan, but only through your faith in and obedience to Jesus Christ (I Peter 5:8-9). Although God's plan for us may include suffering in this life, it also promises a permanent end to suffering and a future where God, in His infinite power, will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish us forever (I Peter 5:10). "To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen" (I Peter 5:11). You need no other security policy.
Final Greetings (I Peter 5:12-14)
Peter concludes his letter by commending Silvanus, who likely delivered the letter to the churches (I Peter 5:12). He also sends greetings from the Christians in his location, including Mark, whom he refers to as "my son" (I Peter 5:13). The letter closes with a benediction of peace: "Greet one another with the kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ" (I Peter 5:14).
The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.
The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.
Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Chapter Context
In I Peter, the apostle Peter has been reminding his readers, chosen and set apart by God, that suffering is not unexpected for Christians. Rather than rebelling against earthly authorities during persecution, we are to see our suffering as a participation in Christ's own and a testimony to our hope. In this final chapter, I Peter 5, Peter concludes his letter to the scattered Christians in Asia Minor with practical instructions concerning leadership, humility, and spiritual vigilance.
Instructions to Elders (I Peter 5:1-4)
Peter, identifying himself as a fellow elder, addresses those in leadership positions within the church. He emphasizes that elders are part of God's chain of command, entrusted with shepherding God's flock. Just as Jesus instructed Peter to feed and tend to His sheep, so too are elders called to serve as shepherds of the "flock of God" (I Peter 5:2). This role is not to be pursued out of compulsion or greed for money, but willingly and eagerly. Elders are not to lord over those entrusted to them (I Peter 5:3), but to lead by example, demonstrating how to follow Christ through their own lives. They must remember that they are “under-shepherds,” caring for a flock that isn’t theirs—a flock the Lord “purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). This commitment to faithful service will be rewarded by the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ, with an unfading crown of glory when He returns (I Peter 5:4). Doctrine, conduct, and character are essential for pastors and elders to serve as examples to the flock.
Submission and Humility (I Peter 5:5-7)
Peter then turns his attention to the younger members of the church, urging them to be subject to the elders. This reflects a divinely ordained order, where newer believers recognize the God-given authority of more experienced Christians. However, this also places a significant responsibility on those older Christians to live in a manner worthy of such respect. More broadly, Peter calls all Christians to clothe themselves with humility toward one another, recognizing God's supreme authority. "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" (I Peter 5:5). True humility involves acknowledging that our significance comes from God alone. We can relinquish the need for self-promotion, trusting that He will exalt us in due time (I Peter 5:6). A practical expression of this humility is to cast all our anxieties on Him, knowing that He cares for us (I Peter 5:7). Pride leads us to insist on carrying burdens that we were never meant to bear alone. The Creator and ruler of the universe cares deeply about you.
Spiritual Warfare (I Peter 5:8-11)
Peter issues a crucial warning: "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (I Peter 5:8). This is the third time Peter exhorts his readers to be clear-minded and alert. He reminds us that we have a mortal enemy who seeks to destroy us and hinder the advancement of God's kingdom on earth. The devil wants to keep you from advancing God’s kingdom on earth, and don’t think you can fly under his radar. He wants to destroy you. The antidote to this threat is steadfast faith. We are to resist him, firm in our faith, knowing that our brothers and sisters throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering (I Peter 5:9). Remember that you can conquer Satan, but only through your faith in and obedience to Jesus Christ (I Peter 5:8-9). Although God's plan for us may include suffering in this life, it also promises a permanent end to suffering and a future where God, in His infinite power, will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish us forever (I Peter 5:10). "To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen" (I Peter 5:11). You need no other security policy.
Final Greetings (I Peter 5:12-14)
Peter concludes his letter by commending Silvanus, who likely delivered the letter to the churches (I Peter 5:12). He also sends greetings from the Christians in his location, including Mark, whom he refers to as "my son" (I Peter 5:13). The letter closes with a benediction of peace: "Greet one another with the kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ" (I Peter 5:14).