1 Peter 5

Humility Governs All Relationships (5:1-7)

¹So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: ²shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; ³not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. ⁴And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. ⁵Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

⁶Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, ⁷casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

In chapter four, we read about judgment in the house of God. It is natural, therefore, to address the duties of the members of that household, beginning with the elders. Elders appear in Acts and the Pastoral Epistles. When they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. (Acts 14:23)

Paul addressed and instructed the elders of Ephesus. Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. (Acts 20:17. The passage continues through v. 38.) He also gave instructions in Timothy and Titus. Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity. (1 Tim 5:1-2. See also vv. 17 & 19.) In Titus, Paul leaves instructions on how to appoint elders. This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you. (1:5) Since the writing of 1 Peter takes place later, he presumes elders already exist in the churches of Asia Minor, and then encourages them to remember the apostolic witness – the loving service of the Twelve, Paul, Barnabas and other apostles.

At the end time, Peter reminds the elders that they, like he, will be rewarded an imperishable crown. (v. 4) Those who teach others to remain faithful will likewise be rewarded. Here, he references Daniel’s vision: Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. (12:3)

In his letters to the Corinthians, as well as the aforementioned Pastoral Letters, Paul points that God judges one’s behavior, explaining why he did not charge a fee for preaching the Gospel, and notes why greed is detrimental to pastoral leadership. (See 2 Cor. 9:7; 1 Cor 9:16-17; 1 Tim 3:8; Titus 1:7).

Christians were familiar enough with domineering authorities, masters and husbands, and realized that their leaders must set a different example for believers. Hence, the reason Peter holds up Paul, Titus and Timothy as examples. While ancient philosophers were expected to be living examples of their teaching, the ultimate example for Peter and his readers is Jesus Christ, the chief shepherd. (v.4)

Humility, as v 5 points out, is essential to good order in the church. Peter exhorts younger clergy to subject themselves to elders. Yet, the verse is not restrictive, as all are to act with humility towards one another, reminding Christians, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

The exhortation is mentioned as one sees from early Christian literature that there existed in the Church conflicts when younger members displaced older clergy with younger ones. The early Christian document, The First Letter of Clement addresses the specific incident in Corinth. Does Peter have in mind those who are younger by age or when they converted to Christianity? He is not clear. Nonetheless, humility is key to good household/church order.

Peter has in mind not the humiliation one experiences in our secular culture today, but being humble before God. “Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor.” (Prov 3:34) The pattern first employed in chapter 1, humility and subsequent exaltation, is repeated here. All in his church are considered in the world’s terms as resident aliens of the lowest socioeconomic ranks. The tensions created by living as a Christian in that day and age must have been high. The encouragement to live humbly and to expect a crown of glory surely eased these tensions among Christians living with one another and with unbelievers.

Resist the Devil and God Will Reward Your Suffering (8-11)

⁸Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. ⁹Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. ¹⁰And 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. ¹¹To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

This apocalyptic passage is not the only one that associates resisting the devil with the time of judgment. On two occasions, Paul is much more elaborate in his descriptions of Christians locked in battle with Satan. Paul’s first warning is 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8, but we find a lengthier and more elaborate description in Ephesians 6:11-17. Could it be that as time marched on, Paul and others concluded that the Day of Judgment was upon us? In Ephesians, we read:

“¹¹Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹²For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. ¹³Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. ¹⁴Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. ¹⁶In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; ¹⁷and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, ¹⁸praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, ¹⁹and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.”

Without divine assistance, Christians have little or no chance against demonic forces. Hence, we ask for deliverance in The Lord’s Prayer and cite Jesus’ warning at the end of Mark proper.

^“12Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. ¹³And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

¹⁴“But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. ¹⁵Let the one who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter his house, to take anything out, ¹⁶and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. ¹⁷And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! ¹⁸Pray that it may not happen in winter. ¹⁹For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, and never will be. ²⁰And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days.” (13:12-20)

Unlike Revelation, 1 Peter has no hostility towards Roman rule, and its attitude towards the larger society is mixed. We do not find in Asia Minor the same situation towards Christians that we do in Rome. In the former, acts of persecution are random and not based on an anti-Christian state policy. However, Peter does underline the solidarity between Christians in both parts of the world.

The primary concern of 1 Peter is consolation. Those suffering in Asia Minor are reassured that they are not alone, and that the goal is not destruction but glory. Christians, therefore, can face life without fear because God supports and strengthens them. The inclusion of this passage in Night Prayer recognizes its power to evoke the saving, sustaining power of God.

Final Greeting (12-14)

¹²By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. ¹³She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son. ¹⁴Greet one another with the kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

Silvanus is mentioned in several of Paul’s letters (1 Cor 1:19; 1 Thes 1:1; 2 Thes 1;1), and like Paul, who uses familial terms to describe the relationship, Peter too sees him as a brother. A similar relationship existed between Peter and Mark.

The use of the term Babylon harkens the OT use of the word to describe the forced Jewish Diaspora from Jerusalem. Here it refers to the persecution of Christians now living in Rome, the capital of the empire. It serves to remind Christians that no church is isolated.

Discussion and Reflection Questions

(1-7) Who is your model of humility? How did you conclude that this person or these people are humble? Has anyone recognized you to be a model of humility? Why do you think humility is important in the selection of church elders, ministers and pastors today?

(8-11) Does the warning to be sober and alert motivate you to resist the devil or evil when you are struggling with an issue? If so, how? How do you resist such a power?

God will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you through suffering. How has God done this in your life?

(12-14) Last week, Palestinian Christians were selling olive woodcarvings to support their mission to those few Christians who remain steadfast in their faith. How different would it be for you to remain in your homeland and practice your Christian faith when most of the Christians have moved away? What have you personally done to establish solidarity with Christians suffering across the globe?