1 PETER CHAPTER 5 STUDY (– vv. 1-14)
Shepherd the Flock
5 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but [a]willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being [b]lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; 4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.
Submit to God, Resist the Devil
5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for
“God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
8 Be [c]sober, be [d]vigilant; [e]because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10 But [f]may the God of all grace, who called [g]us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, [h]perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Farewell and Peace
12 By Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand.
13 She who is in Babylon, elect together with you, greets you; and so, does Mark my son. 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love.
Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Notes 1Peter 5 Study – (vv. 1-4; v. 3; vv. 5-7; vv. 8-9; v. 13; v. 14)
5:1-4: (see – John 21:15-17): From Christ Himself and throughout the history of the Church, these words have been delivered in exhortation to the shepherds or leaders of the flock – (v. 2) … Pastoral work is to be undertaken willingly and cheerfully, with neither financial gain nor power in mind … For faithful service is rendered on behalf of Christ, THE CHIEF SHEPHERD – (v. 4), and awaits an eternal CROWN OF GLORY …
John 21:15-17
Jesus Restores Peter
15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of [a]Jonah, do you love Me more than these?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I [b]love You.”
He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”
16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of [c]Jonah, do you love Me?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I [d]love You.”
He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”
17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of [e]Jonah, do you [f]love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?”
And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.
5:5-7: Humility is the foundation of virtue; it is learned through submission and obedience to godly elders … In submitting to one another, we humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God – (see – 1Thessalonians 5:12-13; Hebrews 13:7, & v. 17) …
1Thessalonians 5:12-13
Various Exhortations
12 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and [a]admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.
Hebrews 13:7
Concluding Religious Directions
7 Remember those who [a]rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.
Hebrews 13:17
17 Obey those who [a]rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
5:8-9: The devil and his angels do explore us individually, looking for our weaknesses … The enemy offers appealing visions to our eyes, music to our ears, to each of our senses setting forth whatever might tempt us to sin … He arouses our tongues to speaking evil about others and urges our hands to injure them … He sets forth profits to be earned by shady and immoral means and holds out earthly honors and false values to be preferred to heavenly ones … When he is unable to tempt us, he brings forth a threat of persecution so that fear may cause us to betray the faith … So, we are always alert to his many faceted attacks, ready to resist him at every turn …
5:13: BABYLON here is almost certainly a reference to ancient Rome, like the more ancient Babylon – (itself of no significance in the days of the early Church) a source of confusion and tribulation for the people of God … Peter (Simon, Cephas) was martyred in Rome …
5:14: THE KISS OF LOVE, OR OF PEACE, is here already a liturgical practice – St. John Chrysostom’s liturgy, the kiss of peace occurs between the Great Entrance and the Nicene Creed; historically the entire Church took part in it … This embrace signifies forgiveness, reconciliation, and banishment of every remembrance of injury … It recalls the command of Christ, “If you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way … First be reconciled to your brother, and then come offer your gift” – (Matthew 5:23-24) …
Matthew 5:23-24
23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
Closing – Be blessed – Great is His Faithfulness – Shalom!!!
1Peter 5:8-9
8 Be [a]sober, be [b]vigilant; [c]because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
“We are called to be WATCHMEN – WATCHWOMEN, and we are to be teachers of truth and righteousness … We are to be examples to serve like Christ came to serve … We are love like Christ loved … We are to be merciful like Christ was merciful, and show compassion like Christ showed compassion … Christ came in peace and love and that is the example He left to us and it’s our responsibility to follow in His footsteps – This is what it truly means to be a soldier in Christ, to live in Christ, and He in you … This is what it means to live in the Spirit and walk with the Spirit, so chose living faith and live life alive with joy and gladness … “
JPCE Spiritual Talk
“NEVER HOLD BACK”
All roads lead to Christ
Christ is in our midst
Peace be with you all
In Christ – love Jared W. Campbell
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