1 Peter 5
Exhortation to Elders and Final Encouragement to Endure
Peter specifically addressed the elders of the churches in this final section of the letter before giving one last call to all believers to live with one another in humility and hope.
I Exhort The Elders
The Jews traced the beginning of the eldership to the days when the children of Israel were journeying through the wilderness to the Promised Land. There came a time when Moses felt the burdens of leadership too heavy for him to bear alone, and to help him seventy elders were set apart and granted a share of the spirit of God (Numbers 11:16-30). Thereafter elders became a permanent feature of Jewish life.
When we turn to the Christian Church we find that the eldership is its basic office. It was Paul's custom to ordain elders in every community to which he preached and in every church which he founded. When a man enters the eldership, no small honor is conferred upon him, for he is entering on the oldest religious office in the world, whose history can be traced through Christianity and Judaism for four thousand years; and no small responsibility falls upon him, for he has been ordained a shepherd of the flock of God and a defender of the faith. - William Barclay
Struggle
Vs. 1 - a fellow elder and witness to the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory about to be revealed
Peter specifically addressed church leadership in this section, alluding to his own experience as an elder who suffered persecution and hoped for “glory.” These Christians were not alone in their experience. Even the apostles who had witnessed Jesus' ministry and suffering were experiencing the same struggle to hope and endure.
Considering that Peter may have – or likely did – witness the sufferings of Jesus on the cross, the remembrance of that would make his exhortation to fellow elders all the more powerful. It would be as if he said, “You are leaders of the people for whom Jesus Christ suffered and died, and I saw Him suffer.” - David Guzik
Shepherd
Vs. 3 - Shepherd God’s flock among you
Opportunity rather than obligation - Vs. 2 - not overseeing out of compulsion but willingly
Generosity rather than greed - Vs. 2 - not out of greed for money but eagerly
Pattern rather than power - Vs. 3 - not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
Peter reminded these spiritual leaders that Jesus, their Great Shepherd, would reward their faithfulness to the flock. Their ultimate motivation should be to lead the sheep as they had been led by Him.
All of You
Be Humble
Vs. 5 - In the same way, you who are younger, be subject to the elders.
The younger people in the church were and are to take a position under the authority of the older people. The reason for this, though unexpressed, seems self-evident: the older have more experience in living. - Thomas Constable
Vs. 5 - All of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Vs. 6 - Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time
All Christians, regardless of our age, should put on humility as a garment. The Greek word translated "clothe" is a rare one that comes from a word referring to the apron that slaves put on over their regular clothes. This garment prepared them for service. We should be ready and eager to serve one another rather than expecting others to serve us. - Thomas Constable
Peter quoted another proverb of Solomon (3:34) to illustrate God’s response to pride and humility. He encouraged these Christians to come to God and to one another in humble consideration.
Be Alert
Vs. 7 - casting all your cares on him
Peter then reminded these persecuted Christians that there was no need for them to suffer silently. Their God was not distant and careless. He was both sovereign and sympathetic.
It is the belief that God cares that marks off Christianity from all other religions, which under all varieties of form are occupied with the task of making God care, of awakening, by sacrifice or prayer or act, the slumbering interest of the Deity. - Masterman
Vs. 8-9 - Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. Resist him, firm in the faith…
Peter taught that the devil, the chief enemy of God in scripture, was to be resisted by Chrisitans. In his view, their suffering was subsidized by spiritual forces.
Be Aware
Vs. 9 - knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.
Finally, Peter connected his audience to all Christians in a universal experience of suffering in hope, reminding them that they were neither alone in the world nor forgotten by God.
After You Have Suffered
Vs. 10 - The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little while.
Peter summarized the theme of his letter here by describing what he believed God was accomplishing in His people through suffering. Their persecution was not without purpose or their conflict without cause or consequence. The God of all grace had not removed His favor from them.
They were secure in Christ and would be sustained by Christ. The One who had endured the greatest suffering would strengthen and support them until the “little while” had ended.
Peace to All of You
Silvanus
Vs. 12 - Through Silvanus…I have written to you
Silvanus is the Roman form of the Greek name Silas. This Silas may very well have been Paul’s companion on his second missionary journey. Silas may have written this epistle as Peter dictated it or in some other way assisted in its composition. Peter may have taken the pen from Silvanus at this point and written the conclusion himself, as was common (cf. Galatians 6:11; 2 Thessalonians 3:17). It seems more probable, however, that Silas carried this epistle from Peter to its first destination. It would have been more customary for Peter to mention Silas at the beginning of the letter if he had had some role in its composition. - Thomas Constable
Encouragement
Vs. 12 - to encourage you and to testify that this is the true grace of God
Peter reminded these Christians that the primary purpose of his letter was encouragement. He was personally familiar with suffering and persecution and was eventually martyred for his faith. But his words in this epistle rang with hope, humility, and trust that God’s multiplied grace was evident even as His people persevered.
Babylon
Vs. 13 - She who is in Babylon
She probably refers to the church, which, in the ancient Greek, is in the feminine. Peter apparently wrote from Babylon. This may be the literal city of Babylon (which still existed in Peter’s day), or it may be a symbolic way of referring to either Rome or Jerusalem. These were two cities that in Peter’s day were famous for their wickedness and spiritual rebellion, just like ancient Babylon was. In any regard, this was one church greeting another. - David Guzik
Mark
Vs. 13 - Mark, my son
This verse connects Mark with Peter, apparently the same Mark of Acts 12:12, 12:25, and 15:37-39. When the style and perspective of the Gospel of Mark are taken into account, many believe that Peter was Mark’s primary source of information for his gospel. - David Guzik
A Kiss
Vs. 14 - Greet one another with a kiss of love.
Commentators note that a kiss on the cheek was a common form of greeting in this culture and that it expressed peace, unity, and, as Peter suggests, affection. Both Paul and Peter encouraged this practice, but it eventually fell into obscurity for later generations of believers.
Peace
Vs. 14 - Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
In the midst of their persecution, Peter prayed that his readers might experience God’s surpassing peace. "Peace" expresses the common Jewish blessing "Shalom." This epistle opens and closes with a prayer for peace. - Thomas Constable
