1 Peter5
King James Version · Public Domain
1The 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:
2Feed 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;
3Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
4And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
5Likewise, 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.
6Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
7Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
10But 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.
11To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
12By 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.
13The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Mark my son.
14Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 1 Peter 5.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Elders exhorted and encouraged. (1–4). Younger Christians are to submit to their elders, and to yield with humility and patience to God, and to be sober, watchful, and stedfast in faith. (5–9). Prayers for their growth and establishment. (10–14).
vv1-4
The apostle Peter does not command, but exhorts. He does not claim power to rule over all pastors and churches. It was the peculiar honour of Peter and a few more, to be witnesses of Christ's sufferings; but it is the privilege of all true Christians to partake of the glory that shall be revealed. These poor, dispersed, suffering Christians, were the flock of God, redeemed to God by the great Shepherd, living in holy love and communion, according to the will of God. They are also dignified with the title of God's heritage or clergy; his peculiar lot, chosen for his own people, to enjoy his special favour, and to do him special service. Christ is the chief Shepherd of the whole flock and heritage of God. And all faithful ministers will receive a crown of unfading glory, infinitely better and more honourable than all the authority, wealth, and pleasure of the world.
vv5-9
Humility preserves peace and order in all Christian churches and societies; pride disturbs them. Where God gives grace to be humble, he will give wisdom, faith, and holiness. To be humble, and subject to our reconciled God, will bring greater comfort to the soul than the gratification of pride and ambition. But it is to be in due time; not in thy fancied time, but God's own wisely appointed time. Does he wait, and wilt not thou? What difficulties will not the firm belief of his wisdom, power, and goodness get over! Then be humble under his hand. Cast “all you care;” personal cares, family cares, cares for the present, and cares for the future, for yourselves, for others, for the church, on God. These are burdensome, and often very sinful, when they arise from unbelief and distrust, when they torture and distract the mind, unfit us for duties, and hinder our delight in the service of God. The remedy is, to cast our care upon God, and leave every event to his wise and gracious disposal. Firm belief that the Divine will and counsels are right, calms the spirit of a man. Truly the godly too often forget this, and fret themselves to no purpose. Refer all to God's disposal. The golden mines of all spiritual comfort and good are wholly his, and the Spirit itself. Then, will he not furnish what is fit for us, if we humbly attend on him, and lay the care of providing for us, upon his wisdom and love? The whole design of Satan is to devour and destroy souls. He always is contriving whom he may insnare to eternal ruin. Our duty plainly is, to be sober; to govern both the outward and the inward man by the rules of temperance. To be vigilant; suspicious of constant danger from this spiritual enemy, watchful and diligent to prevent his designs. Be stedfast, or solid, by faith. A man cannot fight upon a quagmire, there is no standing without firm ground to tread upon; this faith alone furnishes. It lifts the soul to the firm advanced ground of the promises, and fixes it there. The consideration of what others suffer, is proper to encourage us to bear our share in any affliction; and in whatever form Satan assaults us, or by whatever means, we may know that our brethren experience the same.
vv10-14
In conclusion, the apostle prays to God for them, as the God of all grace. Perfect implies their progress towards perfection. Stablish imports the curing of our natural lightness and inconstancy. Strengthen has respect to the growth of graces, especially where weakest and lowest. Settle signifies to fix upon a sure foundation, and may refer to Him who is the Foundation and Strength of believers. These expressions show that perseverance and progress in grace are first to be sought after by every Christian. The power of these doctrines on the hearts, and the fruits in the lives, showed who are partakers of the grace of God. The cherishing and increase of Christian love, and of affection one to another, is no matter of empty compliment, but the stamp and badge of Jesus Christ on his followers. Others may have a false peace for a time, and wicked men may wish for it to themselves and to one another; but theirs is a vain hope, and will come to nought. All solid peace is founded on Christ, and flows from him.
Key Words
παρακαλέω (parakaléō): to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation)
πρεσβύτερος (presbýteros): older; as noun, a senior; specially, an Israelite Sanhedrist (also figuratively, member of the celestial council) or Christian "presbyter"
ἐν (en): "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
συμπρεσβύτερος (sympresbýteros): a co-presbyter
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μάρτυς (mártys): a witness (literally (judicially) or figuratively (genitive case)); by analogy, a "martyr"
πάθημα (páthēma): something undergone, i.e. hardship or pain; subjectively, an emotion or influence
Χριστός (Christós): anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus
κοινωνός (koinōnós): a sharer, i.e. associate
δόξα (dóxa): glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective)
Cross References
1 Peter 5Direct echo of Christ's personal charge to Peter to feed and tend His sheep.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Direct citation of the Greek LXX of Proverbs 3:34, establishing that God opposes the proud.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Paul’s parallel exhortation to elders to feed and take oversight of God's purchased flock.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Corresponds to Christ's identity here as the 'chief Shepherd' by calling Him 'great Shepherd'.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Theological link between present suffering with Christ and future sharing in His revealed glory.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Old Testament roots defining God's people as His inheritance or portion (Greek: kleros).
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Contrast with false shepherds of Israel who ruled with force and cruelty, lording over flock.
Supported by John Calvin
Christ's explicit prohibition against His ministers exercising lordship like Gentile rulers.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The Old Testament foundation for casting one's burden on the Lord.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Intra-epistle connection linking joy in Christ's sufferings to gladness at His glory.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Qualifications for elders prohibiting greed, matching Peter's warning against 'filthy lucre'.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Contrasts temporary crowns of athletic games with the unfading crown of glory.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Exact parallel exhortation to humble oneself in order to be exalted by God.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Satan's desire to sift Peter personally, underscoring the warning to be vigilant.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Exhortation for leaders to show themselves as patterns or examples of good works.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB