Words to elders 1
Words to young men 5
Self-control; enemy as a lion 8
God will strengthen you 10
Personal greetings 12
| Text | Comments |
| .1 ¶ 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: | Elders
See on ac1130.
I also He was considered an apostle ac1414 but here writes as a brother. Note that he is not acting as head of the church ac1025. That was Christ's role. Witness See 2pe0116ff. Sufferings See 2pe0221. Partaker Greek koinonos, "one who shares." He was thinking of promises mt1928, jn1336. But first he was to die 2pe0114. |
| .2 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; | Feed
Greek poimaino meaning "to shepherd" or "to tend" thus including
more than feeding ac2028,
v4. Notice that it is God's flock. This is an important consideration.
We sheep belong to Christ jn1014,
jn2115.
Would this also apply to parents and children? Certainly, in a secondary
sense.
Oversight From episkopeo which means to oversee or inspect. Episkopeo is from the word translated "bishop." See on Acts 20:28, linked above. Not by constraint Not just as a way to make a living. Willingly Or "according to God's will." Filthy lucre Money handled by many people often becomes filthy. The word means "fondness for dishonest gain." Does this mean that Ministers of the gospel should not be paid? No, they should be lu1007, ne1035-7. The issue is how they view their work. Ready mind That is, with eagerness. |
| 3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. | Being
lords The word "lord" means "boss" or "manager." One who is
a manager of people shepherd guides and plans and helps people be
responsible but does not stand in the place of Christ, making spiritual
rules that govern them. Church discipline is based on what God has already
told us. When the church went into deep apostasy
ac2029,
it removed the Scriptures from the people and began to dictate to them
punishing or killing those who would not submit. Also see Paul's advice
tt0107.
Heritage Or allotment. Reference is to the responsibility of the elders. The word "God's" was supplied by translators. Ensamples Greek, tupoi. Patterns. See how Paul uses the term in 1th0106f, 2th0309, 1ti0412, tt0207. |
| 4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. | Chief
Shepherd From archipoimen The title appears only here
in the NT. Compare is4011,
jn1002,
jn1011,
1pe0225.
All church leaders are shepherds but only one is the "chief" or "first"
Shepherd jn1001-16, lu1501-7.
Shall appear Rather "having been manifested." Peter hoping for the second coming. Compare jn2118,19, 2pe0114. Receive a crown mt0512, 2co0417, 2ti0408. Crown From stephanos, a crown of victory. 2ti0408, re0210. "Crown of glory" may be "crown which is glory." Compare ro0818. Fadeth now away From amarantinos. or composed of amaranth (everlasting flower). The reward is eternal life. |
| .5
¶ 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.
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: .7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. |
5 -
Resisteth
the proud Or "sets Himself against the proud." "Resisteth" here
is from antitasso.
7 - Casting ... cares This is more than a general promise for Christians. It is a charge. See the note below. |
| .8
¶ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring
lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. |
8 -
Sober
... vigilant The Greek words are nepsate andgregoresate.
We have a contrast between "sober" and "devour" which are nepsate from
ne
piein "to not drink" and katipino from kata piein "drink
down." Good advice about being alcohol free. The devil drinks down those
who drink alcohol. Compare 1pe0113.
8 - Roaring lion He is deceptive and hidden, but "roaring" in the sense of being ready to destroy. 9 - Resist From anthistemi, meaning "to withstand." This is our responsibility, but in calling on the Lord for strength. |
| .10
¶ 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.
11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. |
10
- God of all grace He is the source of all good things. ja0117,
1pe0410.
Not like the lion described for verses 8 and 9.
10 - Make you perfect ... Or " will himself restore, establish, and strengthen you." (RSV) |
| .12
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.
13 The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son. 14 Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen. |
12 - By Silvanaus ... faithful " 'I see no reason why the clause may not be thus translated: "I have written to you, as I consider, briefly, by Silvanus, the faithful brother."' On all hands it is allowed that this Silvanus was the same as Silas, Paul's faithful companion in travel, mentioned Ac 15:40; 16:19;" (Clarke). |
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[It] . . . seems reasonable to read v 7 as a command to the young men who
desire to be church leaders, but have yet to reach that level of responsibility.
They are to cast their cares on God—i.e., the anxiety of pursuing a higher
status among the leadership of the church. This text speaks to discipleship,
and specifically the development of church leaders. This is what
the context implies and supports. Although it is true that all Christians
should not be anxious (e.g., Phil 4:5ff), we miss God’s word to us here
when we generalize this text. I’d say both church leaders and those
developing into church leaders, then also, miss God’s word to them.
In 1 Peter 5:1-9, Peter intends to guide the elders in their leadership and discipleship responsibilities, and as well, to assist younger converts to not seek leadership inappropriately, but to wait humbly and patiently for God to raise them up. Every church seems to always have young converts or immature Christians who vie for leadership, who attempt to position themselves as the one’s in the know. I have seen underdeveloped Christians seek leadership only to cause division, make poor decisions, and burn out. The context of this text cries out for discipleship as a path toward church leadership. - © Chip M. Anderson, June 2004, Rough Cuts (used by permission) Bible quotes are from the NIV. This study is from his website, http://www.wordsntone.com/. |