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Chapter 5

Advice to Presbyters.[a] So I exhort the presbyters[b] among you, as a fellow presbyter and witness to the sufferings of Christ and one who has a share in the glory to be revealed. Tend the flock of God in your midst, [overseeing] not by constraint but willingly, as God would have it, not for shameful profit but eagerly.(A) Do not lord it over those assigned to you, but be examples to the flock. (B)And when the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.[c]

Advice to the Community.[d] Likewise, you younger members,[e] be subject to the presbyters. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for:

“God opposes the proud
    but bestows favor on the humble.”(C)

So humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.(D) Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you.(E)

Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for [someone] to devour.(F) Resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that your fellow believers throughout the world undergo the same sufferings. 10 The God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory through Christ [Jesus] will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you after you have suffered a little.(G) 11 To him be dominion forever. Amen.

V. Conclusion

12 I write you this briefly through Silvanus,[f] whom I consider a faithful brother, exhorting you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Remain firm in it. 13 The chosen one[g] at Babylon sends you greeting, as does Mark, my son. 14 Greet one another with a loving kiss. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.(H)

Footnotes

  1. 5:1–4 In imitation of Christ, the chief shepherd, those entrusted with a pastoral office are to tend the flock by their care and example.
  2. 5:1 Presbyters: the officially appointed leaders and teachers of the Christian community (cf. 1 Tm 5:17–18; Ti 1:5–8; Jas 5:14).
  3. 5:4 See note on 1 Pt 2:25.
  4. 5:5–11 The community is to be subject to the presbyters and to show humility toward one another and trust in God’s love and care (1 Pt 5:5–7). With sobriety, alertness, and steadfast faith they must resist the evil one; their sufferings are shared with Christians everywhere (1 Pt 5:8–9). They will be strengthened and called to eternal glory (1 Pt 5:10–11).
  5. 5:5 Younger members: this may be a designation for office-holders of lesser rank.
  6. 5:12 Silvanus: the companion of Paul (see 2 Cor 1:19; 1 Thes 1:1; 2 Thes 1:1). Jews and Jewish Christians, like Paul, often had a Hebrew name (Saoul, Silas) and a Greek or Latin name (Paul, Silvanus). On Silvanus’s possible role as amanuensis, see Introduction.
  7. 5:13 The chosen one: feminine, referring to the Christian community (ekklēsia) at Babylon, the code name for Rome in Rev 14:8; 17:5; 18:2. Mark, my son: traditionally a prominent disciple of Peter and co-worker at the church in Rome, perhaps the John Mark referred to in Acts 12:12, 25; 13:5, 13; and in Acts 15:37–39, a companion of Barnabas. Perhaps this is the same Mark mentioned as Barnabas’s cousin in Col 4:10, a co-worker with Paul in Phlm 24 (see also 2 Tm 4:11).

Tending the Flock of God

So 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 to be revealed. Tend the flock of God that is your charge,[a] not by constraint but willingly,[b] not for shameful gain but eagerly, not as domineering over those in your charge but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd is manifested you will obtain the unfading crown of glory. Likewise you that 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.”

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that in due time he may exalt you. Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you. Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking some one to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experience of suffering is required of your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And 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, establish, and strengthen[c] you. 11 To him be the dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings and Benediction

12 By Silva′nus, 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 fast in it. 13 She who is at Babylon,[d] who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings; and so does my son Mark. 14 Greet one another with the kiss of love.

Peace to all of you that are in Christ.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 5:2 Other ancient authorities add exercising the oversight
  2. 1 Peter 5:2 Other ancient authorities add as God would have you
  3. 1 Peter 5:10 Other ancient authorities read restore, establish, strengthen and settle
  4. 5.13 Babylon: Rome was as full of iniquity as ancient Babylon; cf. Rev 17.9.

The Flock of God

I, who am an elder myself, appeal to the church elders among you. I am a witness of Christ's sufferings, and I will share in the glory that will be revealed. I appeal to you (A)to be shepherds of the flock that God gave you and to take care of it willingly, as God wants you to, and not unwillingly. Do your work, not for mere pay, but from a real desire to serve. Do not try to rule over those who have been put in your care, but be examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the glorious crown which will never lose its brightness.

(B)In the same way you younger people must submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you must put on the apron of humility, to serve one another; for the scripture says, “God resists the proud, but shows favor to the humble.” (C)Humble yourselves, then, under God's mighty hand, so that he will lift you up in his own good time. (D)Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you.

Be alert, be on watch! Your enemy, the Devil, roams around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Be firm in your faith and resist him, because you know that other believers in all the world are going through the same kind of sufferings. 10 But after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who calls you to share his eternal glory in union with Christ, will himself perfect you and give you firmness, strength, and a sure foundation. 11 To him be the power forever! Amen.

Final Greetings

12 (E)I write you this brief letter with the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful Christian. I want to encourage you and give my testimony that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.

13 (F)Your sister church in Babylon,[a] also chosen by God, sends you greetings, and so does my son Mark. 14 Greet one another with the kiss of Christian love.

May peace be with all of you who belong to Christ.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 5:13 As in the book of Revelation, this probably refers to Rome.

Serve God Willingly

(A)Therefore, I urge elders among you, as your (B)fellow elder and a (C)witness of the sufferings of Christ, and one who is also a [a](D)fellow partaker of the glory that is to be revealed: shepherd (E)the flock of God among you, exercising oversight, (F)not under compulsion but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and (G)not [b]with greed but with eagerness; nor yet as (H)domineering over [c]those assigned to your care, but by [d]proving to be [e](I)examples to the flock. And when the Chief (J)Shepherd appears, you will receive the (K)unfading [f](L)crown of glory. (M)You [g]younger men, likewise, (N)be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with (O)humility toward one another, because (P)God is opposed to the proud, but He gives grace to the humble.

Therefore (Q)humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, having cast all your (R)anxiety on Him, because He cares about you. (S)Be of sober spirit, (T)be on the alert. Your adversary, (U)the devil, prowls around like a roaring (V)lion, seeking someone to devour. [h](W)So resist him, (X)firm in your faith, knowing that (Y)the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your [i]brothers and sisters who are in the world. 10 After you have suffered (Z)for a little while, the (AA)God of all grace, who (AB)called you to His (AC)eternal glory in Christ, will Himself (AD)perfect, (AE)confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 (AF)To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.

12 Through (AG)Silvanus, our faithful brother [j](for so I regard him), (AH)I have written to you briefly, [k]exhorting and testifying that this is (AI)the true grace of God. (AJ)Stand firm in it! 13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, and so does my son, (AK)Mark. 14 (AL)Greet one another with a kiss of love.

(AM)Peace be to you all who are in Christ.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 5:1 Or partner in
  2. 1 Peter 5:2 Or for dishonest gain
  3. 1 Peter 5:3 Lit the allotments
  4. 1 Peter 5:3 Or becoming examples
  5. 1 Peter 5:3 Or role models
  6. 1 Peter 5:4 Lit wreath
  7. 1 Peter 5:5 Or young people
  8. 1 Peter 5:9 Lit Whom resist
  9. 1 Peter 5:9 Lit fellowship
  10. 1 Peter 5:12 Lit (as I consider)
  11. 1 Peter 5:12 Or encouraging

To the Elders and the Flock

To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder(A) and a witness(B) of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed:(C) Be shepherds of God’s flock(D) that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be;(E) not pursuing dishonest gain,(F) but eager to serve; not lording it over(G) those entrusted to you, but being examples(H) to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd(I) appears, you will receive the crown of glory(J) that will never fade away.(K)

In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves(L) to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility(M) toward one another, because,

“God opposes the proud
    but shows favor to the humble.”[a](N)

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.(O) Cast all your anxiety on him(P) because he cares for you.(Q)

Be alert and of sober mind.(R) Your enemy the devil prowls around(S) like a roaring lion(T) looking for someone to devour. Resist him,(U) standing firm in the faith,(V) because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.(W)

10 And the God of all grace, who called you(X) to his eternal glory(Y) in Christ, after you have suffered a little while,(Z) will himself restore you and make you strong,(AA) firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.(AB)

Final Greetings

12 With the help of Silas,[b](AC) whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly,(AD) encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.(AE)

13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark.(AF) 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love.(AG)

Peace(AH) to all of you who are in Christ.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 5:5 Prov. 3:34
  2. 1 Peter 5:12 Greek Silvanus, a variant of Silas