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1 Peter Chapter Five

 
Chapter Five General Review
 
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
 
1) To examine the duties of elders, in their role as shepherds (pastors)
 and overseers (bishops)
 
2) To note the importance of submission and humility in our relation to
 elders, one another, and God
 
3) To consider how we might best counter our adversary, the devil
 
4) To glean how Peter sought to encourage his brethren in their
 suffering
 
SUMMARY
 
The final chapter contains charges to elders and their respective
flocks. As a fellow elder, Peter commands elders to shepherd the flock
of God among them, serving as overseers. Doing so willingly and
eagerly, they were to serve as examples to the flock. The younger
members of the flock are then commanded to submit to their elders and to
one another, with humility (1-5).
 
They were to also humble themselves under the mighty hand of God and
cast their cares upon Him, trusting that He would exalt them in due time
because He cares for them. Since their adversary the devil walks about
like a lion seeking to devour them, they are to be sober and vigilant,
resisting him steadfast in the faith. They can take courage in knowing
that other brethren are likewise suffering (6-9).
 
The epistle draws to a close, first with a prayer that God will
eventually perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle them. Mention is
made of Silvanus, and Peter's purpose in writing. Greetings are sent by
"she who is in Babylon" and "Mark, my son". Finally, a command to greet
one another with a kiss of love is given, along with a prayer for peace
to all who are in Christ Jesus (10-14).
 
OUTLINE
 
I. THE DUTIES OF SHEPHERDS AND THE FLOCK (1-5)
 
 A. THE ELDERS' DUTIES AS SHEPHERDS (1-4)
 1. As exhorted by a fellow elder
 a. A witness of the sufferings of Christ
 b. A partaker of the glory that will be revealed
 2. To shepherd the flock of God among them
 a. Serving as overseers
 1) Not be compulsion but willingly
 2) Not for dishonest gain but eagerly
 3) Not as lords but as examples
 b. So when the Chief Shepherd appears, they will receive the
  unfading crown of glory
 
 B. THE YOUNGERS' DUTIES AS THE FLOCK (5)
 1. Submit yourselves
 a. To your elders
 b. To one another
 3. Clothe yourselves with humility
 a. For God resists the proud
 b. For God gives grace to the humble
 
II. THE DUTIES TO GOD AND SATAN (6-9)
 
 A. DUTIES REGARDING GOD (6-7)
 1. Humble yourselves under His mighty hand, that He may exalt you
 in due time
 2. Cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you
 
 B. DUTIES REGARDING SATAN (8-9)
 1. Be sober and vigilant of your adversary
 a. The devil walks about like a roaring lion
 b. The devil seeks whom he may devour
 2. Resist your adversary
 a. Remaining steadfast in the faith
 b. Knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by brethren
 in the world
 
III. CONCLUDING REMARKS (10-14)
 
 A. CLOSING PRAYER (10-11)
 1. May the God of all grace perfect, establish, strengthen, and
 settle you
  a. Who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus
 b. After you have suffered a while
 2. To Him be the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen
 
 B. CLOSING GREETINGS (12-14)
 1. Peter has written to them briefly
 a. By Silvanus, a faithful brother
 b. Exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God
 in which they stand
 2. Greetings from:
 a. She who is in Babylon, elect together with you
 b. Mark, his son
 3. Greet one another with a kiss of love
 4. Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen
 
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
 
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
 - The duties of shepherds and the flock (1-5)
 - The duties to God and Satan (6-9)
 - Concluding remarks (10-14)
 
2) How does Peter identify himself as he exhorts the elders? (1)
 - As a fellow elder
 - As a witness of the sufferings of Christ
 - As a partaker of the glory that will be revealed
 
3) What is the duty of the elders? (2)
 - To shepherd the flock of God among them
 
4) How were they to serve as elders? (3-4)
 - As overseers
 - Not by compulsion, but willingly
 - Not for dishonest gain, but eagerly
 - Not as lords, but as examples to the flock
 
5) What reward can elders look forward to when the Chief Shepherd
 appears? (5)
 - The crown of glory that does not fade away
 
6) What twofold duty is enjoined upon those who are younger? (5)
 - To submit to the elders and to one another
 - To be clothed with humility
 
7) What were they commanded to do in relation to God? (6-7)
 - Humble themselves under the mighty hand of God
 - Cast all their care upon Him
 
8) Why were they to do this? (6-7)
 - That God might exalt them in due time
 - Because He cares for them
 
9) Who is their adversary? What is he doing? (8)
 - The devil; walking about like a lion, seeking whom he may devour
 
10) What should they do in regards to their adversary? (8-9)
 - Be sober, be vigilant
 - Resist him, steadfast in the faith
 
11) What should encourage them in their suffering? (9-10)
 - Knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by their brethren
 in the world
 - That after they have suffered a while, God will perfect, establish,
 strengthen and settle them
 
12) By whom has Peter penned this epistle? (12)
 - Silvanus, a faithful brother
 
13) What has been Peter's purpose in writing this epistle? (12)
 - To exhort and testify that this is the true grace of God in which
 they stand
 
14) Who sends them greetings? (13)
 - She who is in Babylon, elect together with them
 - Mark, his son
 
15) What final charge does Peter give? What final prayer? (14)
 - Greet one another with a kiss of love
 - Peace to all who are in Christ Jesus

Peter's Exhortation To Elders (5:1-4)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. At all times, but especially during persecution, the people of God 
 need good leadership
 
2. In His Divine wisdom, the Lord saw fit to organize His church in 
 such a way that the condition He witnessed during His earthly 
 ministry ("like sheep having no shepherd" - Mt 9:36) should not 
 last for long
 
3. His plan calls for local congregations to be overseen by qualified 
 men, known as "elders", and whose responsibilities were to "shepherd
 the flock of God"
 
4. In our text (1 Pe 5:1-4), we read of such men, and Peter's 
 exhortation to them. In this lesson, we shall...
 a. Briefly summarize what is said about elders in the Lord's church 
 throughout the Scriptures
 b. Consider the exhortation given by Peter to the elders in 1 Pe 5:
 1-4
 
[We begin, therefore, with...]
 
I. A BRIEF SUMMARY CONCERNING ELDERS
 
 A. IN THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH...
 1. Local congregations as soon as possible were organized under 
 the leadership of elders - cf. Ac 14:23
 2. In every example we have, there was a "plurality" of elders in
 each church, never just one elder - e.g., Ac 20:17; 21:17-18
 
 B. THE WORK OF ELDERS...
 1. Can be seen by the use of terms that are used interchangeably
 in the Scriptures
 a. Such terms as "elder, pastor, bishop, shepherd, overseer"
 b. That they refer to the same position is evident by their 
 use in:
 1) Ac 20:17,28 -- where elders are called "overseers"
 (bishops), and charged to "shepherd" (pastor) the church
 2) Ti 1:5-7 -- where "elder" and "bishop" (overseer) are
 used together
 3) 1 Pe 5:1-2 -- where "elders" are told to "shepherd"
  (pastor) the flock of God, serving as "overseers" 
 (bishops)
 2. As "older men", therefore, they are to watch over (bishop, 
 overseer) the flock, and to tend (shepherd, pastor) the sheep
 
 C. THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR ELDERS...
 1. With such an awesome responsibility to watch over and tend the
 flock of God, one can understand that it takes men with who
 are truly qualified
 2. Two lists of qualifications for elders are found in 1 Ti 3:
 1-7; Ti 1:5-9
 
 D. OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ELDERS...
 1. Is to recognize and respect them - 1 Th 5:12-13; 1 Ti 5:17-20
 2. To obey and be submissive when they lead scripturally - He 13:
 17; 1 Pe 5:5
 
[Think of elders, then, as your "spiritual advisors", as "shepherds"; 
who are to be mature, experienced Christian men charged by God to 
"watch out for your souls"!
 
With this brief summary fresh in our minds, let's now consider...]
 
II. PETER'S EXHORTATION TO ELDERS
 
 A. THE BASIS FOR THIS EXHORTATION...
 1. As coming from one who is a fellow elder
 a. Peter could have "commanded" them, using his apostolic 
 authority
 b. But practicing what he will preach in verse 3, Peter chose
 to "exhort" them as a "fellow elder"
 2. As coming from one who is a witness of the sufferings of 
 Christ, and a partaker of the glory that will be revealed
 a. He has certainly been an eyewitness of Christ's suffering
 b. But he has also been a personal partaker of the suffering 
 of Christ as described earlier in 1 Pe 4:13; cf. Ac 5:
 40-41
 c. And so will be a partaker of the same glory referred to 
 later in verse 4
 
 B. THE EXHORTATION ITSELF...
  1. "Shepherd the flock of God"
 a. To tend (pastor) to the people of God; for this reason,
 elders must be...
 1) "able to teach" - 1 Ti 3:2
 2) "able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict
  those who contradict" - Ti 1:9
 b. As Paul told the elders of the church in Ephesus, this
 involves "taking heed" to themselves as well - cf. Ac 20:
 28-30
 2. "which is among you"
 a. Their responsibility is for the sheep in the congregation
 where they serve
 b. Even as Paul told the Ephesian elders: "the flock, among
 which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers" - Ac 20:28
 c. The concept of one or more elders (bishops, pastors) over a
 plurality of churches is foreign to the New Testament
 3. "serving as overseers"
 a. Here the work of elders is summarized: to oversee the
 flock of God
 b. But notice that Peter calls such oversight as "serving"
 c. In keeping with what is said later, the role of elder is 
 one of a servant, not a lord
 4. "not by constraint but willingly"
 a. A man cannot be appointed to serve against his will
 b. Indeed, there is nothing wrong with "desiring the position"
 - cf. 1 Ti 3:1
 c. But the moment he loses the desire to serve willingly, he 
 should step down, for he will not be able to serve as he 
 ought
 5. "not for dishonest gain but eagerly"
 a. An elder may be financially supported for his work - cf.
 1 Ti 5:17-18
 b. But the motive for service is not to be money, but an
 eagerness to save souls!
 6. "nor as being lords over those entrusted to you"
 a. As implied before, the oversight is a position of service,
 not to be abused by assuming a dictatorial role
 b. A sobering thought is that elders are "entrusted" with the
 souls under their care, and they will be called to give an
 account! - He 13:17
 7. "but being examples to the flock"
 a. Just as sheep are best led, and not driven, so it is with
 the people of God
 b. Qualified elders will have less problem getting people to
 follow them and submitting to their care
 c. When elders do not provide examples of spirituality, the
 flock is more likely to rebel against their leadership
 
 C. MOTIVATION TO HEED THIS EXHORTATION...
 1. First, perhaps a subtle reminder that "elders" are also under
 authority...
 a. There is one who is "the Chief Shepherd" (Jesus) who will 
 one day appear
 b. One to whom they will have to give an account - He 13:17
 2. But more positively, a promise of recognition for faithful 
 service...
 a. "you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade 
 away"
 b. Like the "inheritance" reserved in heaven that "does not 
 fade away" - cf. 1 Pe 1:4
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. Those who serve well as elders are certainly worthy of "the crown of
 glory" that awaits them
 
2. Hopefully, as we better understand the exhortation given by Peter,
 we will appreciate the work they do in the kingdom of God...
 a. We will "esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake"
 (1 Th 5:13)
 b. We will "obey", and "be submissive", so they can watch out for
 our souls "with joy and not with grief" (He 13:17)
 
In our next lesson, we shall consider Peter's exhortations to those who
are younger (1 Pe 5:5-9)...

Peter's Exhortation To The Young (5:5-9)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. In this fifth and final chapter, we find Peter concluding with a
 series of exhortations...
 a. In our last lesson, we saw that he first directed his remarks
 toward "elders" - 1 Pe 5:1-4
 b. Now, in 1 Pe 5:5-9, the exhortation is geared toward "younger 
 people", though much of it certainly applies to all Christians
 
2. The gist of his remarks reflect themes mentioned previously in his 
 epistle, but Peter was one who understood the value of repetition 
 and reminding - cf. 2 Pe 1:12-15
 
[The first exhortation, therefore, is one we have seen stressed 
throughout 1st Peter...]
 
I. SUBMIT YOURSELVES (5)
 
 A. PETER HAD ALREADY ENJOINED SUBMISSION UPON...
 1. Christians in general, to government authorities - 1 Pe 2:
 13-14
 2. Christian slaves, to their masters - 1 Pe 2:18
 3. Christian wives, to their husbands - 1 Pe 3:1
 
 B. NOW HE ENJOINS SUBMISSION UPON...
 1. Younger Christians, to their elders - 1 Pe 5:5a
 a. This may be a reference to those "elders" described in 
 verses 1-4
 b. Or it may refer to all older Christians
 2. Christians in general, to one another - 1 Pe 5:5b; cf. Ep 5:21
 
 C. DEFINING SUBMISSION...
 1. The word in Greek is hupotasso {hoop-ot-as'-so}
 2. Various shades of meaning include:
 a. to arrange under, to subordinate
 b. to subject, put in subjection
 c. to subject one's self, obey
 d. to submit to one's control
 e. to yield to one's admonition or advice
 f. to obey, be subject
 3. It was also a Greek military term meaning "to arrange [troop 
 divisions] in a military fashion under the command of a 
 leader"
 4. In non-military use, it is "a voluntary attitude of giving in,
 cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden"
 
[The quality of submission goes a long way towards preserving unity and
peace in churches, especially when all are submissive to one another.
 
Yet true submission comes only if we heed Peter's next exhortation...]
 
II. BE CLOTHED WITH HUMILITY (5-7)
 
 A. DEFINING HUMILITY...
  1. The word Peter uses is tapeinophrosune {tap-i-nof-ros-oo'-nay}
 2. It means to have a humble opinion of one's self; lowliness of
 mind
 3. It is an important quality of that which makes up "the mind of
 Christ" - cf. Ph 2:3-5
 
 B. THE NEED FOR HUMILITY...
 1. Not only to preserve peace and unity in our relationships with
 one another
 2. But also to preserve a proper relationship with God...
 a. "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble"
 b. A quotation based upon Pr 3:34, and quoted also by James 
 in Ja 4:6
 c. A person with a humble spirit is highly esteemed by God 
 - cf. Isa 57:15; 66:1-2
 3. Understanding God's high estimation of a humble and contrite 
 spirit...
 
 C. PETER'S CHARGE IS TO...
 1. "humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God" - 1 Pe 5:6
 a. That is, to submit to His providential workings in our 
 lives
 b. Even if it means enduring persecution, as was the case in 
 Peter's day!
 2. "cast all your care upon Him" - 1 Pe 5:7
 a. Don't fret or worry about things over which you have no 
 control
 b. Let your Heavenly Father worry about such things
 c. Even as Jesus taught in Mt 6:31-34
 
 D. THE REWARDS OF HUMBLE SERVICE...
 1. God will give grace (show unmerited favor) to the humble - 
 1 Pe 5:5
 2. He will exalt the humble in due time - 1 Pe 5:6
 
[When the time is right, then, God will exalt His people who place 
their faith and trust in Him, by humbly submitting to His Will and to 
one another.
 
In the meantime, lest Satan cheat us of our reward, Peter enjoins us 
to...]
 
III. WATCH OUT FOR THE DEVIL! (8-9)
 
 A. WE HAVE AN "ADVERSARY"...
 1. He is called the "devil"
 a. The Greek word is diabolos {dee-ab'-ol-os}
 b. Meaning "one prone to slander, slanderous, accusing 
 falsely"
 2. Peter's describes him as a "roaring lion, seeking whom he may
 devour"
 a. What bearing does this verse have on the doctrine of "once 
 saved, always saved"?
 b. If such a doctrine is true...
 1) Why does Peter bother to warn Christians who cannot be 
  "devoured"?
 2) Why does Satan bother to seek out those whom he cannot 
 "devour"?
 3) Indeed, why ANY warnings (and they are legion) to 
 Christians? - e.g., He 3:12-15
 c. Because there IS a very real danger of apostasy, we have 
 such warnings!
 
 B. TO DEFEAT THE "ADVERSARY"...
 1. We need to be serious ("be sober"), and watchful ("be 
 vigilant") - 1 Pe 5:8a; cf. Lk 21:34-36
 2. We need to resist the devil - 1 Pe 5:9a; cf. Ja 4:7
 3. We need to remain steadfast in the faith - 1 Pe 5:b; cf. Co 
 1:21-23
 4. It helps to realize that we are not alone in our struggle - 
 1 Pe 5:9c; cf. 1 Co 10:13
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. Why God allows such struggle will be more apparent when we consider 
 Peter's "benediction" in verse 10, but we will save that for the
 next and final lesson in this series
 
2. While Peter's exhortations in verses 5-9 certainly apply to all 
 Christians, they have special value to those who are "younger"
 a. They are often the most tested by our adversary, the devil
 b. They have not had the time or experience to learn the value of 
 such virtues as "submission", "humility", and "watchfulness"
 
3. But for those who are willing to listen, both young and old, heeding
 the exhortations of Peter can ensure that we will...
 a. Receive the grace we need to withstand and overcome the devil
 b. In due time be exalted by God Himself!

Be Hopeful! (5:10-14)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. In an epistle written to Christians undergoing severe persecution, 
 Peter chooses to close on a positive note - 1 Pe 5:10-14
 
2. For no matter how terrible the "fiery trials" may become, Christians
 can always have "hope"!
 
3. In these last few verses of this epistle, Peter offers...
 a. A benediction (10)
 b. A doxology (11)
 c. A summary (12)
 d. A few words of greeting (13)
 e. A final command to love one another (14a)
 f. A final prayer for peace (14b)
 
[Throughout this "collage" of concluding remarks, we find several 
reasons why Christians can always "Be Hopeful", even in the midst of 
terrible trials.
 
For example, we are reminded of the fact that...]
 
I. WE HAVE GOD'S GRACE
 
 A. GOD IS "THE GOD OF ALL GRACE" (10)
 1. Indeed, His grace is "manifold" - 1 Pe 4:10
 2. Just as His gifts are varied, so He provides whatever we need
 in any circumstance - cf. He 4:16
 
 B. WE STAND IN "THE TRUE GRACE OF GOD" (12)
 1. Our salvation is because of His grace - cf. 1 Pe 1:10
 2. Those who are saved have "tasted that the Lord is gracious" 
 - 1 Pe 2:3
 
[With the knowledge that by remaining faithful to Christ we "stand in 
the true grace of God", we can take comfort knowing that the "God of 
all grace" will be with us all the way.
 
Which leads to another comforting thought...]
 
II. WE ARE GOING TO GLORY
 
 A. GOD HAS "CALLED US TO HIS ETERNAL GLORY" (10)
 1. This is the purpose of our calling, to receive the glory that 
 awaits us
 2. That glory involves the "inheritance incorruptible and 
 undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for
 you" - 1 Pe 1:4
 
 B. THE ROAD TO GLORY MAY INVOLVE SUFFERING, BUT...
 1. It is no different than what Jesus experienced - cf. Lk 24:26
 2. And we can look forward to participating in His glory, if we 
 are willing to suffer with Him - cf. 1 Pe 4:13-14
 
[Knowing what lies ahead for those persevere can help us remain 
steadfast in the faith. So can knowing that...]
 
III. OUR SUFFERING IS TEMPORARY
 
 A. IT IS ONLY FOR "A WHILE" (10)
 1. Earlier, Peter had said "a little while" - 1 Pe 1:6
 2. By their very nature, physical sufferings cannot last forever
 
 B. NOTE THE CONTRAST BETWEEN SUFFERING AND GLORY...
 1. Suffering is for "a while", glory is "eternal"
 2. Is not the "glory" worth the "suffering"?
 3. The apostle Paul thought so - cf. 2 Co 4:16-18
 
[But not only can we remain hopeful knowing that suffering is 
temporary to be replaced by glory that is eternal, in the meantime we
can take consolation in knowing that...]
 
IV. WITH SUFFERING COMES BLESSINGS (10)
 
 A. GOD WILL "PERFECT"...
 1. The word used by Peter means "to equip, to adjust, to fit 
 together"
 2. God "perfects" His people using several tools...
 a. One is the Word of God - cf. 2 Ti 3:16-17
 b. Gifts were given to the church toward the same end - cf. 
 Ep 4:11-16
 3. And suffering is certainly another tool - cf. Ro 5:3-4; Ja 1:
 2-4
 
 B. GOD WILL "ESTABLISH"...
 1. This means "to fix firmly, to set fast"
 2. Christians need to be steadfast in the faith - cf. 1 Pe 5:9; 
 2 Pe 3:17
 3. Through persecution often comes steadfastness, for the one who
 has endured suffering for the cause of Christ is not likely to
 led away from the truth
 
 C. GOD WILL "STRENGTHEN"...
 1. Make one stronger
 2. Which is a normal consequence of enduring trial
 
 D. GOD WILL "SETTLE"...
 1. That is, "to lay a foundation"
 2. The Lord would have us to be solid, like that house built on a
 rock - cf. Mt 7:24-27
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. Peter is confident that for those who remain faithful in suffering, 
 God will bless them in the four ways listed in verse 10
 
2. We too can have confidence, knowing that...
 a. We have God's grace
 b. We are going to glory
 c. Our suffering is only temporary
 d. With suffering comes blessing
 
3. It is with such confidence that Peter closes with:
 a. A collection of greetings, from...
 1) "Silvanus" - Silas, a traveling companion of Paul
 2) "She who is in Babylon, elect together with you" - likely a 
 congregation...
 a) Either in literal Babylon, located in modern day Iraq
 b) Or in figurative Babylon, which could be a reference to 
 either Rome or Jerusalem
 3) "Mark my son" - John Mark, nephew of Barnabas, and author of 
 the gospel of Mark
 b. An exhortation to love: "Greet one another with a kiss of love"
 c. And a prayer for peace: "Peace to all who are in Christ Jesus"
 
May the example of Peter's confidence and hope, as well as his actual
teaching found throughout this epistle, serve to help us remain full of
hope during our sojourn as pilgrims of God!
 
 "To Him be the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."
 
 -- 1 Pe 5:11

－－《Executable Outlines》

Examples of elders

Not to Lord over

But to set example

I. Appeal the elders

1. Witness of suffering

2. Shepherd the flock

3. Willing and eager

II. The young submits to the old

1. Clothe with humility

2. Humble before God

3. Lift up in due time

III. Cast anxiety on God

1. Self-controlled and alert

2. Resist the devil

3. Stand fast in grace

－－ Chih-Hsin Chang《An Outline of The New Testament》