1 Peter 5

KJV · Chapter 5/5

1The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:

2Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

3Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

4And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

5Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

6Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

7Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

9Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

10But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

11To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

12By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.

13The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.

14Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

📖 Chapter study

Summary

Peter urges the leaders of the church to shepherd God's flock willingly, not out of greed, and asks the younger to submit to the elders with humility. He closes with a warning about the devil, who prowls like a lion seeking someone to devour, and commits his readers to the God of all grace.

Explanation

The instructions for the elders (leaders/pastors) reflect a concern for the integrity of leadership, guarding against both authoritarianism and dishonest financial gain in pastoral service. The famous image of the devil as a 'roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour' (5:8) uses a hunting metaphor well known at the time, encouraging constant spiritual vigilance, but without paralyzing the believer with fear, since they are called to resist 'firm in the faith.' The letter closes with a blessing that sums up its central theme: after a little suffering, God himself will perfect, confirm, and establish the faithful. The practical application for today is that healthy spiritual leadership is based on humble service, and that vigilance against evil should be accompanied by active trust in God, not paralyzing fear.

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