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I warn and counsel the elders among you (the pastors and spiritual guides of the church) as a fellow elder and as an eyewitness [called to testify] of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a sharer in the glory (the honor and splendor) that is to be revealed (disclosed, unfolded):

Tend (nurture, guard, guide, and fold) the flock of God that is [your responsibility], not by coercion or constraint, but willingly; not dishonorably motivated by the advantages and profits [belonging to the office], but eagerly and cheerfully;

Not domineering [as arrogant, dictatorial, and overbearing persons] over those in your charge, but being examples (patterns and models of Christian living) to the flock (the congregation).

And [then] when the Chief Shepherd is revealed, you will win the [a]conqueror’s crown of glory.

Likewise, you who are younger and of lesser rank, be subject to the elders (the ministers and spiritual guides of the church)—[giving them due respect and yielding to their counsel]. Clothe (apron) yourselves, all of you, with humility [as the garb of a servant, [b]so that its covering cannot possibly be stripped from you, with freedom from pride and arrogance] toward one another. For God sets Himself against the proud (the insolent, the overbearing, the disdainful, the presumptuous, the boastful)—[and He opposes, frustrates, and defeats them], but gives grace (favor, blessing) to the humble.(A)

Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you,

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 5:4 Marvin Vincent, Word Studies: When Paul uses the word translated “crown,” he typically has the conqueror’s crown in mind, using the imagery of the winner of an athletic contest (see I Cor. 9:25). Peter seems to have this same imagery in mind as a symbol of the heavenly reward.
  2. 1 Peter 5:5 Johann Bengel, Gnomon Novi Testamenti.

Shepherd the Flock of God

So I exhort the elders among you, (A)as a fellow elder and (B)a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: (C)shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight,[a] (D)not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you;[b] (E)not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not (F)domineering over those in your charge, but (G)being examples to the flock. And when (H)the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the (I)unfading (J)crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. (K)Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for (L)“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

(M)Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 5:2 Some manuscripts omit exercising oversight
  2. 1 Peter 5:2 Some manuscripts omit as God would have you