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
Tree of Life Version
Shepherds Lead by Example
5 Therefore I appeal to the elders among you—as a fellow elder and witness of Messiah’s sufferings, and a partaker also of the glory about to be revealed— 2 shepherd God’s flock among you. Watch over it not under compulsion but willingly before God, not for dishonest gain but eagerly. 3 Don’t lord it over[a] those apportioned to you, but become examples to the flock. 4 When the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 5 Likewise, you younger ones, submit yourselves to the elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for
“God opposes the proud,
but gives grace to the humble.”[b]
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that He may lift you up at the appropriate time. 7 Cast all your worries on Him,[c] for He cares for you. 8 Stay alert! Watch out! Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, searching for someone to devour. 9 Stand up against him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being laid upon your brothers and sisters throughout the world. 10 After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace—who has called you into His eternal glory in Messiah—will Himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. 11 All power to Him forever![d] Amen.
Final Greetings
12 Through Silvanus,[e] whom I consider our faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it! 13 Messiah’s community in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings. So does my son Mark. 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love.
Shalom to you all who are in Messiah. Amen.
Footnotes
- 1 Peter 5:3 cf. Ezek. 34:4.
- 1 Peter 5:5 Prov. 3:34.
- 1 Peter 5:7 cf. Ps. 55:23(22).
- 1 Peter 5:11 Some mss. read All glory and power to Him forever and ever; cf. 1 Pet. 4:11.
- 1 Peter 5:12 Or Silas; cf. Acts 15:22ff.
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Tree of Life (TLV) Translation of the Bible. Copyright © 2015 by The Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society.