1 Peter 5

Chapter Overview

What happens in 1 Peter 5

Peter closes his letter with instructions to church elders about shepherding the flock willingly and humbly. He calls all believers to clothe themselves in humility, cast their anxieties on God, and stand firm against the devil, encouraging them with the assurance that God will restore and strengthen them after their brief suffering.

Scripture

Shepherding the Flock

Study note

Peter addresses the elders as a fellow elder and witness of Christ's sufferings. He charges them to shepherd God's flock willingly, not under compulsion or for shameful gain, but with eager hearts. They must not lord it over those entrusted to them but serve as examples. When the Chief Shepherd appears, they will receive an unfading crown of glory.

1 I want to speak to the leaders among you. I am a leader too, and I saw Christ suffer with my own eyes. I will also share in the glory that is coming. 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:

2 Take care of God's flock that has been given to you. Watch over them, not because someone is making you, but because you truly want to. Do not do it for the money, but because your heart is in it. 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;

3 Do not boss around the people in your care. Instead, be an example that they will want to follow. Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

4 And when the Chief Shepherd shows up, you will receive a crown of glory that will never fade or lose its shine. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

Humility and Casting Anxiety on God

Study note

Younger believers are called to submit to their elders, and all are told to clothe themselves with humility toward one another. Peter quotes Proverbs: God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Believers should humble themselves under God's mighty hand so he may lift them up in due time, casting all their anxieties on him because he cares for them.

5 Young people, listen to your leaders. And everyone, wrap yourselves in humility toward each other. God stands against proud people, but he gives his grace to those who are humble. 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. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

7 Casting all your cares upon him, for he cares for you. Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Resisting the Devil and Standing Firm

Study note

Peter warns believers to be sober and watchful, because their adversary the devil prowls like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. They must resist him, standing firm in faith, knowing that their fellow believers throughout the world are enduring the same kinds of suffering. The God of all grace, who called them to eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, strengthen, and settle them after they have suffered for a little while.

8 Stay focused and stay alert. Your enemy the devil is like a roaring lion, prowling around and looking for someone to attack. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

9 Stand strong against him and hold tight to your faith. Remember that believers all over the world are going through the same kinds of suffering. Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

10 After you have gone through suffering for a little while, God himself will step in. He is the God of all grace who has called you to share in his eternal glory through Christ Jesus. He will put you back together, make you strong, give you a firm foundation, and keep you steady. 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 All power belongs to him forever and ever. Amen. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings

Study note

Peter identifies Silvanus as his scribe and summarizes the purpose of his letter: to encourage them and testify that this is the true grace of God in which they should stand firm. He sends greetings from the church in Babylon and from Mark, whom he calls his son, and closes with a benediction of peace to all who are in Christ.

12 I wrote this short letter to you with help from Silvanus, who I know is a faithful brother. I wanted to encourage you and confirm that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. 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 in Babylon, which God chose along with you, sends its greetings. So does my son Mark. The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.

14 Greet each other with a warm and loving greeting. Peace to all of you who belong to Christ Jesus. Amen. Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Key Themes

Themes in 1 Peter 5

Faithful shepherding by eldersLeading by example rather than coercionHumility before God and one anotherCasting anxiety on a caring GodVigilance against spiritual attackGod's restoration after suffering

Prophetic Connections

How this chapter points to Christ

1 Peter 5:5 Proverbs 3:34

Peter quotes the same Proverb that James cited: God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble, making it a cornerstone of New Testament ethics.

1 Peter 5:7 Psalm 55:22

The call to cast all your cares on God echoes the psalmist's invitation to cast your burden on the Lord, for he will sustain you.

1 Peter 5:8 Psalm 22:13

The image of the devil as a roaring lion echoes the psalmist's description of enemies as roaring lions, connecting spiritual warfare imagery to the Psalms.

Apply This Today

Living 1 Peter 5

If you are in a position of spiritual leadership, serve willingly and as an example rather than demanding compliance, knowing that the Chief Shepherd will reward faithful service. Whatever worries burden you, practice the discipline of casting them onto God, trusting that his care for you is real and personal. Stay alert to spiritual dangers, but take courage from knowing that your suffering is neither unique nor permanent: the God of all grace will personally restore and strengthen you.

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