Chapter 5
Themes, discussion questions, Christ connections, and denomination lenses.
Just read this chapter →Scripture
KJV1The 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:
2Feed 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;
3Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
4And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
5Likewise, 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.
6Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
7Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
10But 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.
11To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
12By 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.
13The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.
14Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
Overview
Peter exhorts the elders to shepherd the flock of God willingly, not for dishonest gain but as examples to those in their care, promising that when the chief Shepherd appears they will receive a crown of glory. He calls younger believers to submit to the elders and all to be clothed with humility. He warns them to be sober and vigilant because the devil walks about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour, and he closes by encouraging them that the God of all grace will establish and strengthen them after their suffering.
Key Themes
Shepherding God's Flock
Elders are to feed the flock willingly and eagerly, not lording over God's heritage but being examples — and the chief Shepherd will reward them.
Humility and Grace
God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble — all believers are to humble themselves under God's mighty hand that He may exalt them in due time.
Resisting the Devil
Believers must be sober and watchful, resisting the devil steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are experienced by the brotherhood throughout the world.
Study Questions
What qualities should characterise a faithful elder or pastor according to verses 1-4?
How does the promise of a 'crown of glory that fadeth not away' (v. 4) motivate faithful ministry?
What does it mean practically to 'cast all your care upon him; for he careth for you' (v. 7)?
How should the image of the devil as a 'roaring lion' (v. 8) shape your spiritual vigilance?
How does the closing promise that God will 'make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you' (v. 10) encourage believers in the midst of suffering?
Connection to Christ
Christ is the chief Shepherd who will appear in glory to reward His faithful under-shepherds. He is the God of all grace who called believers unto His eternal glory and who, after they have suffered a while, will perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle them.
Personal Reflection
Take time to journal or meditate on what God is teaching you through 1 Peter 5. How can these truths transform your thinking and actions today?