1 The 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.

The Elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an Elder, and a witnesse of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be reuealed.

2Feede the flocke of God which is among you, taking the ouersight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly: not for filthy lucre, but of a ready minde:

3Neither as being lords ouer Gods heritage: but being ensamples to the flocke.

4And when the chiefe shepheard shall appeare, ye shall receiue a crowne of glory that fadeth not away.

5Likewise ye yonger, submit your selues vnto the elder: yea, all of you bee subiect one to another, and bee clothed with humilitie: for God resisteth the proud, and giueth grace to the humble.

6Humble yourselues therefore vnder the mighty hand of God, that hee may exalt you in due time,

7Casting all your care vpon him, for he careth for you.

8Be sober, be vigilant: because your aduersary the deuill, as a roaring Lion walketh about, seeking whom he may deuoure.

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 vs into his eternall glory by Christ Iesus, after that ye haue suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

11To him bee glory and dominion for euer and euer. Amen.

12By Syluanus a faithfull brother vnto you, (as I suppose) I haue written briefly, exhorting, & 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 sonne.

14Greete yee one another with a kisse of charity: Peace bee with you all that are in Christ Iesus. Amen.

5:5==PROV 3:34

5:7==PS 55:22

1 So I exhort the presbyters among you, as a fellow presbyter and witness to the sufferings of Christ and one who has a share in the glory to be revealed. 2 Tend the flock of God in your midst, (overseeing) not by constraint but willingly, as God would have it, not for shameful profit but eagerly. 3 Do not lord it over those assigned to you, but be examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 5 Likewise, you younger members, be subject to the presbyters. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for: "God opposes the proud but bestows favor on the humble."6 So humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. 7 Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you. 8 Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for (someone) to devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that your fellow believers throughout the world undergo the same sufferings. 10 The God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory through Christ (Jesus) will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you after you have suffered a little. 11 To him be dominion forever. Amen. 12 I write you this briefly through Silvanus, whom I consider a faithful brother, exhorting you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Remain firm in it. 13 The chosen one at Babylon sends you greeting, as does Mark, my son. 14 Greet one another with a loving kiss. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

v 1,2. Originally this was addressed to the elders and bishops who were the pastors of the churches, the very top spiritual leaders of the Church. It is possible that the church has become so multi purposed today that it would apply to all the special service directors and even through deacons and Sunday School teachers who are spiritual leaders in the Church. The warning concerning lust for money would thus apply to director of music etc. which are paid positions in some churches. Even Sunday School teachers should serve willingly, not because of arm twisting.

v 3. Also the various officers are to set an example, and not just be big shots. Consider implications of this verse with Heb. 13;23.

v 4. When there were numerous flocks and shepherds, one chief shepherd was placed over all. Joseph’s brothers over Egyptian herdsmen, Gen. 47:6 and Doeg over Saul’s herdsmen, 1 Sam. 21:7. In 18th century Spain, one man was over 50 others, and over 10,000 sheep. Christian ministers are pastors or shepherds, but the one over all is Jesus, the chief shepherd.

v 5. The early church had numerous elders in leadership, so others were likely younger in experience as well as age. In washing the disciples feet, Jesus set the example of how we are to be subject to one another. God will give the love and grace to do this and it also eliminates pride.

v 6,7. It is not that the mighty God makes us knuckle under. We cannot really cast all our care on Him unless we have humbly submitted to His control.

v 8,9. As in the two other instances in this letter, “sober” can speak of abstinence from drink, but the deeper meaning is self control. We need to be especially watchful because Satan is always craftily on the attack. We are not just to ignore him, but resist him by our faith in God, not our own strength, realizing that throughout the world, other believers are going through similar trials.

v 10. God’s call to us is seen in 1 Peter 1:15; 2:9, 21; 3:9 and here in 5:10. Peter had no doubt seen how storms took their toll on his fishing boat and knew how it had to be repaired and restored later. So sufferings take a toll on the believer, but after a while God will set us back in order, establish us (fasten our boat so it won’t drift away), and give us strength for ourselves and to help others.

v 11. This benediction to the eternally powerful God who helps us in every trial.

v 12. Silas, who had once traveled with Paul, did the penmanship and probably delivered this letter. Peter had been an eyewitness and had trained under Christ, so he could testify to the truth of the grace of God.

v 13. The church in Babylon on the Euphrates, (see notes introducing chap. 1), and Mark was his spiritual son. No indication when Mark and Silas arrived there, but persecutions around Rome and the death of Paul may have been a factor. Josephus says there were numerous Jews at Babylon at this time, accounting for Peter and others being there, but there is no indication as to where Peter was crucified AD 68.

v 14. Peter encourages the holy kiss of their culture and invokes upon them all the  aspects of peace that can come to a believer.