
1 Peter 5
1 Peter 5 offers guidance and encouragement to both the elders and young people within the Christian community, emphasizing the virtues of humility, diligence, and steadfast faith in the face of suffering. Peter also gives specific instructions to church leaders on shepherding their flocks, not out of obligation but willingly, and warns against the spiritual threats posed by the devil.
1 Peter 5:1-4 (NKJV)
1 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed:
2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;
3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;
4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.
Peter addresses the elders of the church, urging them to lead by example, showing selflessness and a genuine willingness to serve. This guidance is rooted in his own experiences as a witness to Christ’s sufferings and a participant in the forthcoming glory. Elders are advised to avoid abusing their power for personal gain or imposing their will on those they lead. Instead, they should exemplify Christ-like leadership, which promises eternal rewards when Christ, the ultimate leader, returns.
1 Peter 5:5 (NKJV)
5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”
Peter turns his attention to the younger members of the community, instructing them to show respect and submission to their elders. He extends this advice to all believers, emphasizing a mutual submission founded on humility. This attitude is important because it aligns with God's values; pride leads to resistance from God, whereas humility attracts His grace and favor.
1 Peter 5:6-7 (NKJV)
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,
7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
The call to humility continues with an encouragement for believers to trust fully in God’s providence. By lowering themselves before God, they position themselves to be lifted by Him at the appropriate time. Peter reassures them that their worries should be placed on God, who is ever-caring and capable of managing their concerns.
1 Peter 5:8-9 (NKJV)
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
Peter warns of the constant threat posed by the devil, who is described as a predator on the prowl, looking to destroy those who are unguarded. The defense against such a formidable enemy is a combination of vigilance, sobriety, and firm faith. This struggle against evil is not isolated but shared among all Christians, fostering a sense of unity and common purpose in the face of adversity.
1 Peter 5:10-11 (NKJV)
10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Peter concludes with a prayerful affirmation that the trials faced by believers are only temporary. He expresses confidence that God will ultimately refine, strengthen, and stabilize them through their hardships. This is a reminder of God’s sovereign power and eternal glory, which are the ultimate reasons for praise and worship.
1 Peter 5:12-14 (NKJV)
12 By Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand.
13 She who is in Babylon, elect together with you, greets you; and so does Mark my son.
14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Peter wraps up the letter with personal notes, attributing the actual writing to Silvanus and affirming the message as one of God’s true grace. He sends greetings from the church in Babylon and from Mark, referred to affectionately as his son, indicating strong personal and spiritual bonds within the Christian community. The letter ends with an exhortation to greet each other warmly and a benediction of peace for all believers in Christ.