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
Living Bible
5 And now, a word to you elders of the church. I, too, am an elder; with my own eyes I saw Christ dying on the cross; and I, too, will share his glory and his honor when he returns. Fellow elders, this is my plea to you: 2 Feed the flock of God; care for it willingly, not grudgingly; not for what you will get out of it but because you are eager to serve the Lord. 3 Don’t be tyrants, but lead them by your good example, 4 and when the Head Shepherd comes, your reward will be a never-ending share in his glory and honor.
5 You younger men, follow the leadership of those who are older. And all of you serve each other with humble spirits, for God gives special blessings to those who are humble, but sets himself against those who are proud. 6 If you will humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, in his good time he will lift you up.
7 Let him have all your worries and cares, for he is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you.
8 Be careful—watch out for attacks from Satan, your great enemy. He prowls around like a hungry, roaring lion, looking for some victim to tear apart. 9 Stand firm when he attacks. Trust the Lord; and remember that other Christians all around the world are going through these sufferings too.
10 After you have suffered a little while, our God, who is full of kindness through Christ, will give you his eternal glory. He personally will come and pick you up, and set you firmly in place, and make you stronger than ever. 11 To him be all power over all things, forever and ever. Amen.
12 I am sending this note to you through the courtesy of Silvanus who is, in my opinion, a very faithful brother. I hope I have encouraged you by this letter, for I have given you a true statement of the way God blesses. What I have told you here should help you to stand firmly in his love.
13 The church here in Rome[a]—she is your sister in the Lord—sends you her greetings; so does my son Mark. 14 Give each other the handshake of Christian love. Peace be to all of you who are in Christ.
Peter
Footnotes
- 1 Peter 5:13 The church here in Rome, literally, “She who is at Babylon is likewise chosen”; but Babylon was the Christian nickname for Rome, and the “she” is thought by many to be Peter’s wife to whom reference is made in Matthew 8:14; 1 Corinthians 9:5, etc. Others believe this verse should read: “Your sister church here in Babylon salutes you, and so does my son Mark.”
The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.