This chapter embraces the following subjects: * An exhortation to the elders of the churches to be faithful to the flocks committed to their charge, 1 Peter 5:1. * An exhortation to the younger members of the church to evince all proper submission to those who were older; to occupy the station i... [ Continue Reading ]
THE ELDERS WHICH ARE AMONG YOU I EXHORT - The word “elder” means, properly, “one who is old;” but it is frequently used in the New Testament as applicable to the officers of the church; probably because aged persons were at first commonly appointed to these offices. See Acts 11:30, note; Acts 14:23,... [ Continue Reading ]
FEED THE FLOCK OF GOD - Discharge the duties of a shepherd toward the flock. On the word “feed,” see the notes at John 21:15. It is a word which Peter would be likely to remember, from the solemn manner in which the injunction to perform the duty was laid on him by the Saviour. The direction means t... [ Continue Reading ]
NEITHER AS BEING LORDS - Margin, “overruling.” The word here used (κατακυριεύω katakurieuō) is rendered “exercise dominion over,” in Matthew 20:25; exercise lordship over, in Mark 10:42; and overcame, in Acts 19:16. It does not elsewhere occur in the New Testament. It refers properly to that kind... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN THE CHIEF SHEPHERD SHALL APPEAR - The prince of the pastors - the Lord Jesus Christ. “Peter, in the passage above, ranks himself with the elders; here he ranks Christ himself with the pastors” - Benson. See the notes at 1 Peter 2:25. Compare Hebrews 13:20. YE SHALL RECEIVE A CROWN OF GLORY... [ Continue Reading ]
LIKEWISE, YE YOUNGER - All younger persons of either sex. SUBMIT YOURSELVES UNTO THE ELDER - That is, with the respect due to their age, and to the offices which they sustain. There is here, probably, a particular reference to those who sustained the office of elders or teachers, as the same word is... [ Continue Reading ]
HUMBLE YOURSELVES THEREFORE - Be willing to take a low place - a place such as becomes you. Do not arrogate to yourselves what does not belong to you; do not evince pride and haughtiness in your manner; do not exalt yourselves above others. See the notes at Luke 14:7. Compare Proverbs 15:33; Proverb... [ Continue Reading ]
CASTING ALL YOUR CARE UPON HIM - Compare Psalms 55:22, from whence this passage was probably taken. “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee; he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” Compare, for a similar sentiment, Matthew 6:25. The meaning is, that we are to commit our w... [ Continue Reading ]
BE SOBER - While you cast your cares Upon God, and have no anxiety on that score, let your solicitude be directed to another point. Do not doubt that he is able and willing to support and befriend you, but be watchful against your foes. See the word used here fully explained in the notes at 1 Thessa... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOM RESIST - See the notes at James 4:7. You are in no instance to yield to him, but are in all forms to stand up and oppose him. Feeble in yourselves, you are to confide in the arm of God. No matter in what form of terror he approaches, you are to fight manfully the fight of faith. Compare the not... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THE GOD OF ALL GRACE - The God who imparts all needful grace. It was proper in their anticipated trials to direct them to God, and to breathe forth in their behalf an earnest and affectionate prayer that they might be supported. A prayer of this kind by an apostle would also be to them a sort of... [ Continue Reading ]
TO HIM BE GLORY ... - See the notes at 1 Peter 4:11.... [ Continue Reading ]
BY SILVANUS - Or Silas. See the 2 Corinthians 1:19 note; 1 Thessalonians 1:1, note. He was the intimate friend and companion of Paul, and had labored much with him in the regions where the churches were situated to which this Epistle was addressed. In what manner he became acquainted with Peter, or... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CHURCH THAT IS AT BABYLON, ELECTED TOGETHER WITH YOU - It will be seen at once that much of this is supplied by our translators; the words “church that is” not being in the original. The Greek is, ἡ ἐν Βαβυλῶνι συνεκλεκτὴ hē en Babulōni suneklektē; and might refer to a church, or to a fem... [ Continue Reading ]
GREET YE ONE ANOTHER WITH A KISS OF CHARITY - A kiss of love; a common method of affectionate salutation in the times of the apostles. See the notes at Romans 16:16. PEACE BE WITH YOU ALL THAT ARE IN CHRIST JESUS - That are true Christians. See the Ephesians 6:23 note; Philippians 4:7 note.... [ Continue Reading ]