In our study of 1 Peter chapter five, we look at our call to glory and what that means for our daily lives. As we saw in Genesis, man was created to be with God. This final part of Peter's letter reminds us of that fact and was meant to encourage its readers to live their lives in a manner consistent with that calling.
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Therefore, I urge the congregation leaders among you, as a fellow-leader and witness to the Messiah's sufferings, as well as a sharer in the glory to be revealed:
Peter begins the final part of his letter and addresses his remarks to elders. It is important to note that it is not to a single elder but is always to a group of elders. Peter then speaks about sharing in "the glory to be revealed". Glory is simply the greatness or presence of God.
shepherd the flock of God that is in your care, exercising oversight not out of constraint, but willingly, as God wants; and not out of a desire for dishonest gain, but with enthusiasm;
Peter reminds us what it means to be an elder and the first thing is that one that is called does it for the right reason. Some grudgingly take on the title because it seems that nobody else is available but we are reminded that is not the right reason. One that is called to be an elder does not do it for personal gain such as money or fame but to serve the flock and to guide them. The proper motive is the satisfaction that comes in seeing Christians grow closer to God and not what you can get out of it.
also not as machers domineering over those in your care, but as people who become examples to the flock.
Now, Peter describes the proper manner in which an elder serves. That is they are not to be dictators but examples. Their words and actions must match.
Then, when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive glory as your unfading crown.
This verse refers to Moses and how the glory of God caused his face to shine but it faded (see Exodus 34:29 - 35). When Christ comes back, the glory will be with us but it will never fade. This verse reminds us that the elders answer directly to the Chief Shepherd which is Jesus.
Likewise, you who are less experienced, submit to leaders. Further, all of you should clothe yourselves in humility toward one another, because God opposes the arrogant, but to the humble he gives grace.
Now Peter moves from teaching the elders to teaching the rest of the people. He reminds the young to submit to the authority of the elders. It is important to note here that Peter is not simply talking about those who are older in years but is talking about those that are older and more mature in the faith. Then, he quotes from Proverbs 3:34 and contrasts grace and pride. A good example of this contrast is found in Esther 5.
Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that at the right time he may lift you up.
God not only gives grace to the humble as we saw in the previous verse but he will also lift you up. He will lift up the humble because that brings out God's glory. When the proud lift up themselves it is for their own glory and that is not of God but of Satan.
Throw all your anxieties upon him, because he cares about you.
We do not have to worry when we give things over to God. El Shaddai is big enough to handle anything and He loves His children. Jesus told us, in Matthew 6:25-34, that our Father will take care of us and there is no need for anxiety (worry).
Stay sober, stay alert! Your enemy, the Adversary, stalks about like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
We need to be on our guard so that we can recognize the work of the devil and resist the temptations that he will put in our path. If you are in Christ, he is your enemy and is out to destroy you. Satan is at work in this world and will use people and things to try to separate you from God. We can rejoice even in this because the Spirit of God living in us is greater than the devil. The devil may roar like a lion but he does not have the teeth (power) of the lion. Jesus is the Lion of the tribe of Judah and Satan is the big counterfeit (see Revelation 13).
Stand against him, firm in your trust, knowing that your brothers throughout the world are going through the same kinds of suffering.
We are not alone in facing the enemy as we know that all of the world Christians are being attacked. We stand on the fact that God is with us as well.
You will have to suffer only a little while; after that, God, who is full of grace, the one who called you to his eternal glory in union with the Messiah, will himself restore, establish and strengthen you and make you firm. To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.
We are called to be with God forever but our time here on earth can be a struggle. It is a struggle here because the whole world has the bad effects of sin in it. God has the power to overcome sin and restore us and keep us forever.
Through Sila, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written you briefly, encouraging you and giving my witness that this is God's true grace. Stand firm in it!
It all comes down to grace and Peter sums up his letter by reminding us of that fact. He encourages us to stand on that grace and not try to add anything else to it as that is the entire basis of our salvation.
Your sister congregation in Bavel, chosen along with you, sends greetings to you, as does my son Mark.
Peter closes his letter here by passing on greetings from some of the fellow workers for the kingdom. It is interesting to note that one of them is a woman from what we call Iraq today.
Greet each other with a kiss of love. "Shalom aleikhem!" to all who belong to the Messiah.
Peter closes by instructing us to greet each other. This is to remind us that we are one in Christ and that we should care for each other. He then leaves us with peace and it is just for those who are in Christ because without Christ it is impossible to have peace.
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