1 Peter 5 Study Notes
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5:1-4 Peter charged elders to be exemplary, responsible servants. The term elders refers to the office of pastoral leaders in the church. The word appears to be used interchangeably here with shepherds/pastors and elsewhere with overseers (Ti 1:5,7). Peter’s appeal was based on the fact that he was a fellow elder and witness to Christ’s sufferings. This helped him identify fully with the elders he was addressing and gave added support for his plea. He commanded them to be shepherds of God’s flock. In other words, they were to nurture, lead, and protect God’s people without lording it over them. Elders who have served faithfully, despite suffering while on earth, will receive glory in heaven from Christ, the chief Shepherd. Paul describes qualifications for elders/overseers/pastors in 1Tm 3:1-7 and Ti 1:5-9.
5:5a Here the term elders may refer to age, not office.
5:5b-7 Peter reminded all believers to practice humility and trust God with their cares. Humility commends us to God and fellow humans, and this is the opposite effect of arrogance and conceit.
5:8-9 Peter warned believers to be aware of Satan’s deceitful practices and to resist him firmly. Such behavior is fitting for temporary residents of this world. Peter strengthened his readers with the knowledge that other Christians were also suffering.
hupsoo
| Greek pronunciation | [hoo PSAH oh] |
| CSB translation | exalt |
| Uses in 1 Peter | 1 |
| Uses in the NT | 20 |
| Focus passage | 1 Peter 5:6 |
Hupsoo refers to lifting something to a higher location. As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, Christ was lifted up on the cross (Jn 3:14). This concept of lifting up is figuratively extended to mean to exalt or honor (raising something to a position of higher status). In the example above, the lifting up of Jesus referred to his crucifixion (cp. Jn 8:28) but also to his exaltation (cp. Jn 12:32). The one who possesses the higher authority must be the one who exalts others to a higher status (Lk 1:52; Ac 2:33; Jms 4:10; 1Pt 5:6). He made the people of Israel prosper in Egypt (Ac 13:17), and he exalts the humble (Mt 23:12 = Lk 14:11; Lk 18:14). Elsewhere, Paul humbled himself so that those in the Corinthian church might be exalted (2Co 11:7).
5:10-11 God will strengthen and honor in heaven those who endure suffering for their faith while on earth.
5:12-14 Silvanus (or “Silas,” Ac 15:22-32; 16:19-40; 17:1-15; 18:5; 2Co 1:19; 1Th 1:1; 2Th 1:1) may have helped Peter write this letter as his secretary (cp. Rm 16:22), but more likely he was the letter carrier. Peter conveyed greetings to his readers from the church in Rome, i.e., from she who is in Babylon, and also from Mark, my son—Peter’s son in the faith, not his biological son. The kiss of love was a customary form of greeting in the first-century church. Peace is the sense of well-being and blessedness that believers have because of their relationship with Christ. This benediction is an appropriate ending to the letter because when Christians are being persecuted on earth, heaven’s peace cannot be taken from them.