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1 Peter 5
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
1 Peter 5
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Chapter 5
Advice to Presbyters.[a] 1 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. 2 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) 3 Do not lord it over those assigned to you, but be examples to the flock. 4 (B)And when the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.[c]
Advice to the Community.[d] 5 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)
6 So humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.(D) 7 Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you.(E)
8 Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for [someone] to devour.(F) 9 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
- 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.
- 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).
- 5:4 See note on 1 Pt 2:25.
- 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 Younger members: this may be a designation for office-holders of lesser rank.
- 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.
- 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).
1 Peter 5
Expanded Bible
1 Peter 5
Expanded Bible
The Flock of God
5 ·Now [L Therefore] I ·have something to say to [exhort; appeal to] the elders in your group. I also am an elder. I ·have seen [was a witness to] ·Christ’s [or the Messiah’s] sufferings [Matt. 16:13–23; Mark 8:27–33; Luke 9:18–22], and I will share in the glory that will be ·shown [revealed] to us. I ·beg [exhort; urge] you to 2 ·shepherd [tend] God’s flock [John 21:15–19], ·for whom you are responsible [which is under your care]. ·Watch over [Oversee] them because you want to, not because you are forced. That is how God wants it. Do it because you are ·happy [eager] to serve, not because ·you want money [of greed]. 3 Do not ·be like a ruler over people [T lord it over those; dominate those; Matt. 20:25–27; Mark 10:42–45; Luke 22:25–27] ·you are responsible for [under your care; L those allotted (to you)], but be good examples to ·them [L the flock]. 4 Then when the Chief Shepherd [C Christ] ·comes [L appears], you will get a glorious crown that will never ·lose its beauty [fade away; C crowns for athletic success made from flowers wilted quickly; 1 Cor. 9:25].
5 In the same way, younger people should be willing to ·be under [submit/be subject to] ·older people [or the elders]. And all of you should ·be very humble with each other [L clothe yourselves with humility toward one another]. [L Because:]
“God ·is against [resists; opposes] the proud,
but he gives grace to the humble [Prov. 3:34].”
6 Be humble [L therefore] under God’s powerful hand so he will ·lift you up [exalt you] ·when the right time comes [in due time]. 7 ·Give all your worries to him [Cast all your anxiety on him], because he cares about you.
8 ·Control [Discipline] yourselves and be ·careful [alert]! The devil, your enemy, ·goes around [prowls] like a roaring lion looking for someone to ·eat [devour]. 9 ·Refuse to give in to [Resist] him, by standing strong in your faith. You know that your ·Christian family [community of believers; L brotherhood] all over the world is having the same kinds of suffering.
10 And after you suffer ·for a short time [or a little], God, who gives all grace, will ·make everything right [L restore you]. He will make you strong and support you and keep you from falling. He called you ·to share in his glory in Christ, a glory that will continue forever [L into his eternal glory in Christ]. 11 ·All power is his [or To him be the power] forever and ever. Amen.
Final Greetings
12 I wrote this short letter ·with the help of Silas [L through Silvanus; C a variant of Silas; he either helped write the letter or carried it], who I know is a faithful brother in Christ. I wrote to ·encourage [exhort] you and to ·tell [testify/witness to] you that this is the true grace of God. Stand strong in that grace.
13 ·The church in Babylon [L She who is in Babylon; C “Babylon” is probably a veiled (and negative) name for Rome], who was chosen like you, sends you greetings. Mark, ·my son in Christ [L my son; C but probably a spiritual rather than a physical relationship], also greets you. 14 ·Give each other a kiss of Christian love when you meet [L Greet one another with a kiss of love].
Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
1 Peter 5
New International Version
1 Peter 5
New International Version
To the Elders and the Flock
5 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) 2 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; 3 not lording it over(G) those entrusted to you, but being examples(H) to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd(I) appears, you will receive the crown of glory(J) that will never fade away.(K)
5 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,
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.(O) 7 Cast all your anxiety on him(P) because he cares for you.(Q)
8 Be alert and of sober mind.(R) Your enemy the devil prowls around(S) like a roaring lion(T) looking for someone to devour. 9 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 Peter 5:5 Prov. 3:34
- 1 Peter 5:12 Greek Silvanus, a variant of Silas
New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)
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Expanded Bible (EXB)
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New International Version (NIV) 
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