THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ELDERSHIP (1 PETER 5:1). ‘The elders among you I exhort, who am a fellow-elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, who am also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed,' Peter now calls on the church leaders, in the light of coming anticipated suffering, t... [ Continue Reading ]
THE GRAND FINALE (1 PETER 5:1). As Peter comes to the close of his letter the thought of suffering followed by glory continues: · In 1 Peter 3:18 He had spoken of the sufferings of Christ which had led on to His exaltation at the right hand of God, and the submission of all things to Him. · In 1 P... [ Continue Reading ]
‘Tend the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not of constraint, but willingly, according to the will of God; nor yet for base gain, but of a ready mind, neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves examples to the flock. So just as Jesus had ca... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And when the chief Shepherd shall be revealed (in all His glory), you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade not away.' And their reward for being faithful under-shepherds will be that when the Chief Shepherd is revealed in His glory they will receive an unfading crown of glory. An unfa... [ Continue Reading ]
‘In the same way, you younger ones, be subject to those who are older. Yes, all of you, gird yourselves with humility, to serve one another, for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.' In the same way as the elders are to be ‘models' of genuine humble service, so are the younger men... [ Continue Reading ]
THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE WHOLE CHURCH (1 PETER 5:5). Having spoken to the under-shepherds Peter now speaks to the sheep. In the light of the coming onslaught on the flock they are to walk in readiness so that when the lion at some stage comes among them (compare Hebrews 11:3), as come he will, th... [ Continue Reading ]
‘Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time, casting all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.' So all are to allow themselves to be humbled under the mighty hand of God, and to give themselves to the humble task, rather than seeking status a... [ Continue Reading ]
‘Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour,' And this is especially so because of the one who is rampaging around with his eye on the flock. The likening of the Devil to a lion waiting to attack the sheep may well have arisen from the... [ Continue Reading ]
‘Whom withstand steadfast in your faith, knowing that the same sufferings are accomplished in your brothers who are in the world.' Resisting the Devil is a concept also found in Ephesians 6:11; James 4:6. In the former case it is by faith in God through His word, and in the latter case it is by humi... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after that you have suffered a little while, will himself make whole, establish, strengthen you.' But Peter assures them that they have nothing to fear from such persecution, for it is the God of all grace Who will be their s... [ Continue Reading ]
‘To him be the dominion for ever and ever. Amen.' And the certainty of this promise is guaranteed by God's eternal dominion (1 Peter 3:22; 1 Peter 4:11; Psalms 22:28; Psalms 93:1; Psalms 97:1; Psalms 99:1). With God sovereign over all, what have His people to fear? Amen. The similarity of this vers... [ Continue Reading ]
CONCLUSION. ‘By Silvanus, our faithful brother, as I account him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand you fast in it.' This probably means more than that Silas (Silvanus) simply delivered the letter. It was quite regular for someone not... [ Continue Reading ]
‘She who is in Babylon, elect together with you, salutes you; and so does Mark my son.' ‘She who is in Babylon' is almost certainly referring to the church from which he writes (ekklesia is feminine, and if he had meant his wife he would probably have said ‘she who is with me' or some such personal... [ Continue Reading ]
‘Salute one another with a kiss of love. Peace be to you all who are in Christ.' This is not a call for formalities, but a plea for oneness. They are to reveal their chaste love for one another by a meaningful symbol of love rather than with a pretence that has no meaning. ‘By this will all men kno... [ Continue Reading ]