1 Peter Chapter 5

Leading and Living in God’s Flock

5:1 So as your fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings and as one who shares in the glory that will be revealed, I urge the elders among you:

Peter did not identify himself as an apostle, but as a fellow-elder. He saw the Shekinah Glory at the Mount of Transfiguration. He did not command, but he encouraged. Peter witnessed the sufferings of Christ. Peter had suffered himself. He knew how to write about suffering.

5:2 Give a shepherd’s care to God’s flock among you, exercising oversight not merely as a duty but willingly under God’s direction, not for shameful profit but eagerly. 

Peter encouraged the elders to shepherd the flock. They were to pastor them, feed them, and guard them. Elders should desire this position. They should accept the job not for monetary gain, but for the love of the ministry.

5:3 And do not lord it over those entrusted to you, but be examples to the flock. 

The elders were not to be dictators, but they were to be examples to the flock.

5:4 Then when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that never fades away.

When Jesus was on earth, He was the Good Shepherd. Currently, He sits at the right hand of God as the Great Shepherd. When He returns at the Rapture, He will become the Chief Shepherd. 

At the Rapture, Jesus will give the obedient elders not a διάδημα (diadem) crown, but a στέφανος (stephanos) crown. A διάδημα (diadem) crown was given to royalty. A στέφανος (stephanos) crown was given to victors at the Olympic Games. A διάδημα (diadem) crown was made of gold and jewels. A στέφανος (stephanos) crown was made up of more perishable items, such as oak, olive, and myrtle leaves, ivy, parsley, violets, or roses. The obedient elders will receive a στέφανος (stephanos) crown that will not perish.

5:5 In the same way, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. 

The younger members are the remainder of the congregation of the local assembly. They were to be obedient to the elders. They were to put on work clothes and serve each other in humility. 

Peter quoted from Proverbs 3:34. God goes to war against the proud, but He is kind to those who are humble.

5:6 And God will exalt you in due time, if you humble yourselves under his mighty hand 

God will exalt these Messianic believers at His Second Coming.

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

The Messianic believers were commanded to give all of their problems to Jesus.

 5:8 Be sober and alert. Your enemy the devil, like a roaring lion, is on the prowl looking for someone to devour. 

The Messianic believers were commanded to be sober and alert. They were not to become intoxicated and seduced by the satanic world system. To stay alert, they must focus on the intake of Bible doctrine.

The Greek word for “enemy” is ἀντίδικος (antidikos), meaning accuser or slanderer. Satan goes to God the Judge and accuses the saints of their sins. The devil is prowling around like a hungry lion, looking to devour those who come across his path. Mature believers will come across his path more often than immature believers, because of their damage to the satanic world system.

5:9 Resist him, strong in your faith, because you know that your brothers and sisters throughout the world are enduring the same kinds of suffering. 

The believer is not to fight against Satan, but he is to stand behind his shield and resist him. Understanding of Bible doctrine is the only defense against Satan. Application of Bible doctrine brings one into the territory of Satan.

5:10 And, after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 

The Messianic believers were going to suffer on this earth for a little while. However, God is nice and He likes to do good things for His children. It was God who called the Messianic believers to salvation. 

There are two calls given to man. The general call is given by the Holy Spirit to all men, but it is always rejected. The efficacious call is given to the elect and it is never rejected and always received. Believers who are saved by grace are simply believers who were lucky enough to receive the efficacious call of God.

5:11 To him belongs the power forever. Amen.

All the power belongs to Jesus, so Satan does not need to be feared. Nothing will happen to these Messianic believers unless it is in the will of God.

Final Greetings

5:12 Through Silvanus, whom I know to be a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, in order to encourage you and testify that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it. 

Silvanus traveled with Paul. He also brought the letter from the Jerusalem Council to the Gentile churches. 

Peter wrote verses 12-14 with his own hand. Peter then sent Silvanus to deliver his letter to the Messianic churches scattered among Judea.

5:13 The church in Babylon, chosen together with you, greets you, and so does Mark, my son. 

Many commentators spiritualized Babylon, claiming that Peter wrote from Rome. This is strong Catholic teaching which is inaccurate. It is bias to spiritualize this passage just to make the claim that Peter was the first Pope of Rome. 

If read literally, then Peter wrote from Babylon. The city of Babylon was the center of Judaism outside of the land of Israel. Many Jews were transported there during the Babylon Captivity. Much of the Talmud was written from this city. Since Peter was the Apostle to the Circumcision, then it would naturally make since that he traveled to Babylon and gave them the good news about their Messiah.

5:14 Greet one another with a loving kiss. Peace to all of you who are in Christ. 

The kiss was on the cheek of both cheeks. It symbolized brotherly love and harmony. Notice that peace comes only to those who are in Christ.