1 Peter 5:1

1 Peter 5:1 ‘Therefore,. exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and. partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed.'

‘Therefore' -Connecting this section to the previous chapter. ‘Pressure on. social group can cause it to disintegrate, and the leadership is the focus of the pressure both from without and within.' (Davids pp. 174-175)

‘I exhort the elders among you' -We sometimes forget that elders also need encouragement. ‘Elders'-Presbuteros. The word seems to indicate their maturity or depth of spiritual experience. Some have tried to argue that elders are simply the older men in the congregation. But such. theory would be forced to throw out the qualifications mentioned in 1 Timothy 3:1 and Titus 1:5. Hence, not every aged male Christian is an ‘elder' in the sense which Peter is using the term in the above verse.

Points to Note:

Elders are also known as bishops/overseers and pastors (Acts 20:17; Acts 20:28; Titus 1:5; 1 Peter 5:2). 2. The pattern for congregational government is. plurality of elders in each congregation (Acts 14:23; Acts 20:17; 1 Peter 1:1; 1 Timothy 5:17).

‘exhort' -These elders would need to muster every ounce of wisdom and strength as the congregations they shepherded were hit by severe trials. Especially, during times of stress and trial, people need strong leadership, clear direction, and spiritually minded individuals to point them away from complaining and towards. complete trust in God. It is so easy for people to lose their perspective during times of hardship.

‘as your fellow elder' -‘Though one of the apostles, he chose to base his exhortation on the fact that he, too, was an elder, and thus on the same level in this respect as those he wrote to.' (Woods p. 123) ‘This lets the elders know that he thinks of himself as one of those with whom judgment will begin-even he, an apostle, is not exempt, nor should any among his readers think themselves too important or too sanctified to be exempt.' (Grudem p. 186) In calling himself. ‘fellow elder', it is obvious that Peter wasn't. universal bishop or pope.

Points To Note:

In calling himself an elder, the following facts are immediately known about the personal life of Peter: A. He was. married man (Mark 1:30; 1 Corinthians 9:5; Titus 1:6). B. He was. father who had children that were Christians (Titus 1:6). The mandatory celibacy of religious workers, as advocated by Catholicism and other groups, looks silly in light of the above verse.. man who works among one congregation can't be married (i.e. Catholic priest), but the apostles could be married?. priest would be completely ineffective if he was married, but the apostles were able to accomplish great things with wives and. family?

‘witness of the sufferings of Christ' -Peter had seen various aspects of the suffering that Jesus had endured. The events in the Garden (John 18:10). The trial before Annas (John 18:16). This statement gives tremendous weight to Peter's words. He is not simply re-telling. story that he heard. He was there, he saw it with his own eyes and heard it with his own ears.

Points to Note:

The apostles were selected to be eyewitnesses (Luke 24:48; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:32; Acts 3:15; Acts 5:32; Acts 10:39; Acts 10:41; Acts 13:31). 2. This statement, ‘bluntly recalls, for Peter and for anyone familiar with the details surrounding Christ's crucifixion, the most painful episode in Peter's life-for we remember what kind of “witness” Peter was: one whose courage failed and who three times denied that he even knew Christ (Matthew 26:69). Why does Peter recall this? Probably to demonstrate that restoration even from grievous sin is possible with Christ….and thus to encourage in the elders. humble willingness to be penitent for sin rather than. hypocritical pride and an unwillingness ever to admit to doing wrong.' (Grudem p. 186) 3. ‘Peter can speak with feeling, knowledge, and understanding of what suffering entails.' (Hamilton p. 285) 4. ‘True, he was sometimes “at. distance”…from the Lord's suffering (Matthew 26:58), but he could still speak from personal observation.' (Oberst p. 227)

‘a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed' -‘Partaker'-companion, partner, sharer. ‘Glory that is to be revealed'-The future glory that will be given to the faithful (Romans 8:18; 1 Peter 1:8; 1 Peter 4:13). 1. God didn't place the apostles under. different standard of judgment than others. They also had to remain faithful (2 Timothy 2:11; 1 Corinthians 9:27). 2. It is encouraging to hear the examples to the flock expressing their confidence and hope in eternal life. 3. Peter wasn't exempt from suffering. He didn't live in. mansion. 4. The verse also reveals that we can have confidence about our salvation. If we are being faithful, then we KNOW that future glory awaits us. This demands that the standard of faithfulness is clear and understandable to all.

Point to Note:

‘the reference to Christ's suffering may also function as. reminder to the elders that just as Christ was willing to suffer for them, so they should be willing to endure hardship and suffering for the sake of those (in the churches they oversee-MD)' (Grudem p. 187)

This is something that all men need to take seriously. Serving as an elder isn't easy, it will involve difficult situations and decisions. But if Jesus was willing to endure so much for me, than. can do whatever. can to see that His people have good leadership and guidance. It is. noble and courageous cause to shepherd God's people. Jesus is always in need of men who are willing to watch over His people.