1st Peter Chapter 5

From The Open Bible Project

5:1 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.

• (1) He describes peculiarly the office of the Elders, that is to say, of them that have the care of the Church.
• (2) He uses a preface concerning the circumstance of his own person: that is, that he as their companion communes with them not of manners which he knows not, but in which he is as well experienced as any, and propounds to them no other condition but that which he himself has sustained before them, and still takes the same trouble, and also has the same hope together with them.

5:2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion, but voluntarily, not for dishonest gain, but willingly;

• (3) The first rule: he that is a shepherd let him feed the flock.
• (4) The second: Let not shepherd consider, that the flock is not his, but Gods.
• (5) The third: Let not shepherds invade other men’s flocks, but let them feed that which God hath committed unto them.
• (6) Let the shepherds govern the Church with the word and example of godly and unblamable life, not by force but willingly, not for greedy gain, but with a ready mind, not as lords over God’s portion and heritage, but as his ministers.

5:3 neither as lording it over those entrusted to you, but making yourselves examples to the flock.

• (b) Which is the Christian people.

5:4 When the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the crown of glory that doesn't fade away.

• (7) That the shepherds’ minds are not overcome either with the wickedness of men, or their cruelty, he warns them to continually look at the chief shepherd, and the crown which is laid up for them in heaven.

5:5 Likewise, you younger ones, be subject to the elder. Yes, all of you gird yourselves with humility, to subject yourselves to one another; for "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."[13]

• (8) He commends many peculiar Christian virtues, and especially modesty: an admonition all of us need, but especially the younger ones by reason of the perverseness and pride of that age.
• (9) Because pride seems to many to be the way to the glory of this life, the apostle testifies to the opposite, that dishonour and shame is the reward of pride, and glory the reward of modesty.

5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time;

• (10) Because those proud and lofty spirits threaten the modest and humble, the apostle warns us to set the power of God against the vanity of proud men, and to rely completely on his providence.

5:7 casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you.

5:8 Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

• (11) The cruelty of Satan, who seeks by all means to devour us, is overcome by watchfulness and faith.

5:9 Withstand him steadfast in your faith, knowing that your brothers who are in the world are undergoing the same sufferings.

• (12) The persecutions which Satan stirs up, are neither new nor proper to any one man, but from old and ancient times common to the whole Church, and therefore we must suffer patiently, in which we have such and so many fellows of our conflicts and combats.
• (c) Amongst your brethren which are dispersed throughout the world.

5:10 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.

• (13) He seals up as with a seal the former exhortation with a solemn prayer, again willing them to ask increase of strength at his hands, of whom they had the beginning, and hope to have the accomplishment: that is, of God the Father in Christ Jesus, in whom we are sure of the glory of eternal life.

5:11 To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

5:12 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.

• (14) Continuance and perseverance in the doctrine of the apostles is the only ground and foundation of Christian strength: Now the sum of the apostles doctrine, is salvation freely given by God.

5:13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, greets you; and so does Mark, my son.

• (15) Familiar salutations.
• (d) In that famous city of Assyria, where Peter the apostle of circumcision then was.

5:14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace be to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.