1 Peter 5 - Outlines of 1 & 2 Peter (Book Notes menu page)

IV. Suffering and the Second Coming of Christ (ch.5)
  A. Produces Service and Hope (v.1-4)
  B. Produces Humility and Patience (v.5-14)
5:1 The elders {GK=presbuteros} 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:
5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you,
taking the oversight {GK=episkopeo} [thereof],
not by constraint, but willingly;
  {ie., not because others place you under compulsion, but voluntarily; cp. Php 2:20,21}
not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
  {ie., not for financial gain, but because it is your passion; cp. Rom 1:15; 1The 2:7-9; cf. 2Pet 2:1-3}
5:3 Neither as being lords over [God's] heritage,
but being ensamples to the flock. {cp. 1The 2:10-12}
  'Overseers' are not to exercise dominion 'over' God's people but are to live as examples before them.
    The flock is not to be divided by hierarchy.
    Elders and sheep are ''among'' one another (v.1,2). cp. Mat 23:8-12
5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear,
ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
  Now, we will look more closely at v.1-4:
  the elders {GK=presbuteros, those of greater age, those of senior rank}-
    "Elder (presbuteros) and bishop (episkopos, [ie., overseer]) designate the same office (cp. Titus 1:5,7; Acts 20:17,28), the former referring to the man, the latter to a function of the office. The eldership in the apostolic local churches was always plural. There is no instance of one elder in a local church.
    The functions of the elders are:
    - to rule {GK=proistemi, lit. 'stand before', superintend, preside over, maintain (keep right order)}
    (1Tim 3:4,5; 5:17; cp. use of this word in Titus 3:8,14 'maintain'),
  - to guard the body of revealed truth from perversion and error (Titus 1:9),
  - to 'oversee' the church as a shepherd tends his flock (Acts 20:28; John 21:16; Heb 13:17; 1Pet 5:2).
      Elders are made or 'set' in the churches by the Holy Spirit (Acts 20:28), but great stress is laid upon their due appointment (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5). In Titus 1:5-9 and 1Timothy 3:1-7, the qualifications of an elder become part of the Scriptures for the guidance of the churches in such appointment."
      [in quotes above, from ScofRB at Titus 1:5]
    I... who am also an elder...-
      Peter did not elevate himself above other elders.
    ...and a witness of the sufferings of Christ -
      Peter's position as an eyewitness...
      - meant special privilege, responsibility and opportunity for ministry.
      cp. Mat 26:37; Luk 23:49; 24:44-48; Joh 15:26,27; Acts 1:21,22; 2:32; 10:39-43
  - marked the fulfillment of prophecy concerning Christ's sufferings. cp. 1Pet 1:10-12
    ...and a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed -
      Peter shared in the hope which is common to all believers. Rom 8:17,18; 1Pet 1:3-9,13
    the elders I exhort {implore, admonish}... feed {GK=poimaino, tend, govern, nourish} the flock of God -
      This is the work of a 'poimen' (the GK word for 'shepherd' or 'pastor', eg. 1Pet 2:25; Eph 4:11).
      - The work of a shepherd involves feeding the sheep, leading them to find their nourishment and refreshment in the Lord, finding the lost, correcting the wayward, binding up their wounds, guarding against enemies and dangers, etc. (See Psalm 23.)
      - "Shepherding suggests provision and protection, supervision and discipline, instruction and direction." [McGee]
      The flock belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ (Joh 10:11,14,27; 1Pet 2:25; 5:4).
      It is He who commissions under-shepherds, and who holds them accountable.
      - Peter himself had received this commission from Christ.
      The basis of service, as an under-shepherd of Christ, is love for Him (Joh 21:15-17).
  - Peter warned against wrong motives for, and attitudes toward, ministry (v.2,3).
      cp. Paul's similar warnings in Acts 20:28-35.
    when the chief Shepherd shall appear...- v.4; 2Cor 5:10; cp. Isa 40:10,11; Heb 13:20,21; 1Pet 2:25
      Christ will hold the under-shepherds accountable, and reward them accordingly.
      Those who have been faithful under-shepherds will receive...
    a crown {ie., a garland, a wreath}... that fades not away (as earthly garlands do, 1Cor 9:25).-
      Crowns are given as rewards for the believer's works. cp. 2Tim 4:7,8; Rev 22:12.
      Not all receive such a prize (1Cor 9:24; Php 3:12-14).
      However, those who receive crowns will place them at Jesus' feet (Rev 4:10,11), recognizing that it is He who works through His servants. cp. Joh 15:4,5; 1Cor 15:10; 1Pet 4:11
      Note that an unfading crown (an individual's reward for faithful service) is distinct from the unfading inheritance which belongs to everyone who is born again into God's family, by faith in Christ (1Pet 1:3-5).
5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder.
  {younger - GK=neoteros, comparatively recently born, relatively new, or less mature.
  The word does not necessarily refer to physical age.}
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.
5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God,
that he may exalt you in due time:
5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
  likewise...- ie., In the same way that the elders serve Christ and His people,
    all believers are to serve one another.
  submit... be subject...- Both words are GK=hupotasso, arrange in order according to rank.
    See this word in 1Pet 2:13,18; 3:1); eg., Rom 12:10; Eph 5:21; Php 2:3; Heb 13:17
  be clothed with humility...- (eg., as Christ girded Himself to serve others, Joh 13:2-16; cp. Php 2:5-8)
    Humility is a prerequisite for experiencing God's Grace. cp. v.5; Jam 4:6
  humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God...-
  - Perhaps you desire the office of an overseer or deacon (1Tim 3:1),
    but find yourself excluded, because another occupies that position. In some way, the office holder may seem less qualified, than you. Thus, things seem out of order (cp. Eccl 10:7). This disarray may be real, or your own misperception.
    The Lord sees and knows. He has His purposes in allowing such things.
    In His time, He will correct any disorder in His Church. Meanwhile, submission to the leadership of the other, is the proper order (unless he is in gross violation of God's Word). cp. Isa 57:15; Mat 23:11,12
  - "What a wonderful heart is the heart of God! He does not wish to humble His children, so He begs them to humble themselves, and only leave to Him the joy of exalting them." [GWms]
    casting all your care {ie., anxiety} upon Him...- cp. Psa 55:22; 56:3,4; Php 4:6,7; Heb 10:35-39
      The confidence of faith does not divest me of responsibility (eg., Jam 1:5,6; Php 4:13),
      but leaves to Him the things that are beyond my jurisdiction (Psa 27:13,14; 37:5; Isa 41:10).
5:8 Be sober {ie., soberminded, watchful, cp. 1Pet 1:13}, be vigilant;
because your adversary the devil,
as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
5:9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith,
knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished
in your brethren that are in the world.
5:10 But the God of all grace,
who hath called us unto his eternal glory by {in} Christ Jesus,
after that ye have suffered a while,
make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle [you].
5:11 To him [be] glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
  your adversary {GK=antidikos, opponent before the court of law} the devil...-
    The HB name 'Satan' means 'adversary, opposer'; 'the devil' {GK=diabolos} means 'the false accuser, the slanderer'.
    The one, who accused Job before the Lord, and who desired to sift Peter as wheat, desires to swallow you up in the same pride and unsubmissiveness that fills his heart (Isa 14:12-14). cp. v.5-8; Job 1:7-11; 2:2-5; Luk 22:31,32
  Be soberminded - Regard him with wary respect, because he is dangerous.
  Be vigilant - Be watchful, to discern his devices, because he is deceptive.
    "As a roaring lion he persecutes; as an angel of light he deceives (eg., Gen 3:1; 2Cor 11:13-15).
    He is more to be dreaded as an angel than as a lion." [GWms] cp. 2Tim 4:17; Rev 12:10-12
    Satan's roaring intimidates and scatters the sheep.-
    - be vigilant- ever aware of danger, ever watchful for the care of the sheep. v.1-7
    - take courage -- other believers are standing against his assaults. v.9
    -- you also will prevail by God's grace. v.10
  whom resist {stand in opposition against}...-
    As God resists the proud (v.5), we must resist the author of pride.
    Take your stand to resist him, because he is destructive. Eph 4:27 (where the surrounding verses, v.25-31, address the effects of 'giving place to the devil.')
    But you cannot stand against him in your own strength.
  resist stedfast {sure, immovable} in the faith - ie., in the truth of God's promises in Christ.
    "Submission to the Lord is prerequisite for resisting the devil." (eg., Peter's failure to resist the devil, was related to his failure to submit to the Lord. Mat 26:31-35,40,41) [WWiersbe]
    cp. Eph 6:11-18; Jam 4:6,7; 2Tim 3:12-17
    The believer's immovability against Satan's attacks is determined by...
  the God of all grace (v.10) - who has called us (2Tim 1:9; 1Pet 1:2-5),
    uses our sufferings to accomplish His purposes in us (Rom 8:28-30); namely to...
    - make perfect (to fully equip, to make complete). cp. 2Pet 1:3; Heb 13:20,21
    - establish (to make stedfast, immovable). cp. 1The 3:13; 2Pet 1:12; 3:17
    - strengthen (GK=sthenoo, to make vigorously strong) to enable you to stand (Eph 6:13).
    - settle (to establish on a firm foundation). cp. Col 1:23
  to Him be glory and dominion...-
    By His grace the weak stand strong against the adversary.
    The glory and power, which enables the believer to stand, is inherent to God, not to the servant.
  his eternal glory... after ye have suffered awhile-
    Note the contrast of 'eternity' with 'brevity.' Rom 8:18; 2Cor 4:17; 1Pet 4:12-19
5:12 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.
5:13 The [church that is] at Babylon, elected together with [you], saluteth you;
and [so doth] Marcus my son.
5:14 Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity {GK=agape, love}.
Peace [be] with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
  Silvanus {also called Silas} - Peter dictated this letter to Silas, who inscribed it on paper.
    Silas was among the representatives from the church in Jerusalem, who conveyed the apostolic decision (clarifying that believers are not under the Mosaic Law), to the Gentile church in Antioch (Acts 15:22-27). From there, he accompanied Paul on his second missionary journey (Acts 15:40,41).
    Peter's endorsement of Silas as 'a faithful brother' also endorses the preaching, of Paul and Silas, as the true Gospel. Peter and Paul preached the same message: the Gospel of the Grace of God in Christ Jesus. cp. Acts 16:29-31; 2Cor 1:19-22
  Marcus, my son -
    John Mark had turned back from the first missionary journey with Paul and Barnabas (Acts 12:25; 13:13). Therefore, Paul had lost confidence in Mark, refused his participation in his second missionary journey, and took Silas in stead (Acts 15:36-40). However, Barnabas saw Mark's potential and discipled him. Later, Mark worked closely with Peter, who regarded him as a son in the faith. The Gospel of Mark reflects Peter's viewpoint. Eventually, Paul also recognized that Mark had become profitable for the ministry (2Tim 4:11; Col 4:10).
  The church that is at Babylon...-
    As we discussed earlier, this probably refers to the geographic city (see the Note at 1Pet 1:1,2).
    However, there are also prophetic reverberations:
    - Judgment was about to fall upon Jerusalem (70 AD),
    because it had taken on the characteristics 'Babylon' (meaning 'confusion') in a moral and spiritual sense. (cp. Jer 23:14; Rev 11:8)
  - Judgment will fall upon the present system of Gentile world dominion,
      when its rebellion against God reaches its peak, at the end of the Times of the Gentiles (which began with Babylon, and is known by that name). Luk 21:24; Rev 18:1-8
  - Meanwhile, the church of Christ dwells in an increasingly hostile realm
      which is governed by the prince of this world, who is the accuser of the brethren, and the spirit which will empower the future Antichrist. Therefore, believers can expect to suffer persecution, until the Lord comes to remove His own. Peter wrote both of his letters for the purpose of preparing believers to stand against opposition and persecution. 1Pet 4:12,13; 2Pet 3:1-4
    Greet one another with a kiss of charity {GK=agape, love}.-
      God's people are to encourage one another with an holy expression of the love and unity which characterizes the family of God. (In some cultures, a holy handshake or holy hug might be more acceptable.) cp. Rom 16:16; 1Cor 16:20; 2Cor 13:12; 1The 5:26; 1Pet 1:22
      Love for Him produces love {GK=agape} for His own. cp. 1Joh 5:1
      Once, Peter could not bring himself to use this word to describe his love for Christ (see the Notes at Joh 21:15-17). Now, his choice of this word indicates that we are to love one another with the same type of self-sacrificing devotion that we ought to have for our Lord.
    Peace be with you... (v.14) - Peter closes this letter concerning suffering and persecution
      as he opened it, with a commendation of his readers to the peace of God (1Pet 1:2). cp. Joh 14:27; 16:33

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