1 Peter chapter 5

Peter advises his fellow Elders, and the community. He says God will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish us. And Peter concludes this Letter.

 


 

ADVICE TO ELDERS

 

VERSE 1. Therefore I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and who will also share in the glory that will be revealed.

a fellow elder. The Greek word is συμπρεσβύτερος (“sym-presbyteros”). It means “fellow elder.”

a witness. Peter and many of the biblical authors were eyewitnesses. They saw with their own eyes, and they testified. Read more »

 

VERSE 2. Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion, but voluntarily, not for dishonest gain, but willingly;

exercising the oversight. The Greek word for “oversight” is “episkopein.” It means “bishop.”

 

VERSE 3. not as lording it over those entrusted to you, but making yourselves examples to the flock.

neither as lording it. The biggest shortcoming of most people in charge is that they are too bossy. They “lord it over” their people.

 

VERSE 4. When the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the crown of glory that doesn’t fade away.

The Lord Jesus is the great Shepherd. He lays down his life for his people. He knows them, and they know him. Read more »

 

ADVICE TO THE COMMUNITY

 

VERSE 5. Likewise, you younger ones, be subject to the elder. Yes, all of you clothe yourselves with humility, to subject yourselves to one another; for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

KJV translation: 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.

This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the First Letter of Peter and from the entire Bible.

be subject to the elder. We are NOT commanded to do anything our leaders command. We are not to be mindless drones.

Many leaders misuse their power. We need to remain vigilant and consider what they say, before we act.

 

VERSE 6. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time,

KJV translation: Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.

This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the First Letter of Peter and from the entire Bible.

 

VERSE 7. casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you.

KJV translation: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the First Letter of Peter and from the entire Bible.

casting all your worries on him. We are to cast all our cares and worries onto Jesus Christ. He wishes us to do this, because he cares for us!

 

VERSE 8. Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

NIV translation: Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the First Letter of Peter and from the entire Bible.

Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. We are to be self-controlled and alert. Our enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, hunting for someone to devour.

 

VERSE 9. Withstand him steadfast in your faith, knowing that your brothers who are in the world are undergoing the same sufferings.

 

RESTORE, CONFIRM, STRENGTHEN AND ESTABLISH

SUMMARY: When the time is right, after you have suffered for “a while,” God will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

 

VERSE 10. But may the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

NABRE translation. The God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory through Christ Jesus will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you after you have suffered a little.

English Standard Version. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

Our paraphrase: The Supreme God of all graciousness, who called you to his perpetual glorification through Christ, will himself restore you, confirm you, strengthen your spiritual knowledge and power, and settle you: all this after you have experienced the Paschal Mystery for a little while.

may the God. The Greek word for “God” is “theos.” It means deity, especially the Supreme Deity.

of all grace. The Greek for “grace” is “charis.” It means graciousness.

called you to his eternal. The Greek word for “eternal” is “alonios.” It means perpetual.

glory by Christ Jesus. The Greek word for “glory” is “doxa.” It means dignity, honor, worship, praise.

after you have suffered. The Greek word for “suffered” is “pascho.” Think: “the paschal mystery.” It means suffering that is experienced or felt.

a little while. The Greek word for “a little while” is “oligos.” It means little, small, few, short, puny brief, few, a season, a while.

perfect. The Greek word is “katartizo.” It means to complete thoroughly, repair, restore.

strengthen. The Greek word for “strengthen” means to strengthen in spiritual knowledge and power.

In other words, great things are in store!

In the fullness of time, the Supreme God of all graciousness will fully restore us. Read more »

 

VERSE 11. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

 

CONCLUSION

 

VERSE 12. Through 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.

Silvanus. Some speculate that Silvanus served as Paul’s secretary. At the least, he was a missionary companion of Paul.

For his second missionary journey, Paul the apostle recruited Silvanus and Timothy to be his coworkers. Read more »

 

VERSE 13. She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, greets you. So does Mark, my son.

NLT translation. Your sister church here in Babylon sends you greetings, and so does my son Mark.

She who is. This refers to the Christian community.

in Babylon. This is a code name for Rome.

Mark, my son. This probably refers to John Mark.

He was the nephew of Peter and cousin of Barnabas and one-time coworker with Paul.

 

VERSE 14. Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace be to all of you who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

 


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1 PETER

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