AP

From Humility to Glory

1 Peter (12)                                                                                                        1 Peter 5:1-14

Final Instructions

In verses 1-4 Peter addresses the elders ‘as a fellow elder.’ Peter did not claim to be the most important elder, nor the ‘vicar of Christ’ as does the pope. He was a witness of Christ’s suffering: he saw Jesus’ suffering and bore witness about his suffering. He includes himself with those who ‘will share in the glory to be revealed.’

The task of the elders is to be ‘shepherds of God’s flock.’ They are to tend, feed, guide, and guard the people of God. The words ‘serving as overseers’ are not in the Greek in this letter but are used elsewhere in the apostolic writings (episkopous Titus1:7; Acts 20:28; Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:1-2 and 1 Peter 2:25) to mean ‘overseers’ (bishops), taking spiritual care of the believers, as a shepherd takes care of the flock. The task is to be done willingly, and not greedily for money (literally: not for ‘base or dishonourable gain’). The pastor is not to commercialize his ministry but is allowed to be paid for his work. As Paul wrote to Timothy: “For Scripture says, ‘Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,’ and ‘The worker deserves his wages’” (1 Timothy 5:18).

The way the elders are to execute their office is not to ‘lord it over’ the flock, but to be their example. “Jesus said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves’” (Luke 22:25-26, see also Matthew 20:25 & Mark 10:42). They are to model what it is to be a Christian and are to model themselves on the ‘Great Shepherd of the Sheep’ in caring for the flock (Hebrews 13:20-21).

When the Chief Shepherd appears, the elders will receive the unfading crown of glory. Peter uses the same word for ‘unfading’ as in 1 Peter 1:4, where it describes the ‘inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade.’ The word stephanon, translated ‘crown,’ could refer to a crown of victory in the athletic games, or one given for military valour, or as a festal garland at a wedding. The plant Stephanotis floribunda is the name of a flower that did not whither or fade, and which, when picked, revived in water. The crown given to victors in athletics or war was made of oak or ivy leaves, whereas the festal garlands at a marriage feast were made of flowers. So, Peter is anticipating the great marriage feast of the Lamb! “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” (Revelation 19:9).

Verses 5-9 Next, Peter addresses the younger men (the word is in the comparative). They are to submit themselves to the older ones, i.e., the elders of the church. Verse 5b to the end of the letter is probably directed to all the readers, not just the younger men.

The first charge to the believers is to clothe themselves with humility so that grace may be theirs. Proverbs 3:34 is also quoted by James (4:6). ‘Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.’ James has an almost identical charge to his readers (4:10). This reminds us of Mary’s Magnificat: “He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble” (Luke 1:52). Mary herself says of God that he “has been mindful of the humble state of his servant” (Luke 1:48). Jesus repeatedly told his hearers about this exaltation of the humble (Matthew 23:12, Luke 14:11 and 18:14). Peter has already told them to “be compassionate and humble” (1 Peter 3:8). Paul also stresses the importance of humility, “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2).

Paul himself was humble, “I served the Lord with great humility” (Acts 20:19). In other words, “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you” (Romans 12:3). Paul also warns against false humility (Colossians 2:23, 3:12). He advises the Philippians, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves” (2:3). Paul gave as an example, Jesus, who “humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (2:8). Jesus described himself as “gentle and humble in heart” (Matthew 11:29).

Another charge is, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” Christians undergoing persecution will have many anxieties, but we will have to commit all of them to the Lord. God cares for us; we are his concern.

Next, we are told to be self-controlled and alert, alive to the spiritual dynamics of our time and circumstances, i.e. “situationally aware.” Self-control is one of the fruits of the Spirit. The word for ‘opponent’ (or ‘adversary’) is the translation of a word used of an opponent in a lawsuit. Our opponent is the devil, the slanderer, defamer, accuser of God’s children. Peter compares him to a roaring lion! It is a different lion from the triumphant Lord: “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed” (Revelation 5:5). The devil would devour us if he could. We must resist him, standing firm in the faith, just as Paul told us in Ephesians, “Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand” (Eph. 6:13). We know that our brothers and sisters all over the world are also suffering persecutions. By standing firm, we are standing with them.

Verses 10-11 God calls us to his eternal glory, as well as for his glory, in Christ. God calls us into salvation in order that he may derive glory for himself by virtue of our being saved. The rest of verse 10 is not a wish, but a prediction. It is certain that we will suffer, as also Jesus predicted: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). After the suffering comes the restoration. The Greek word for ‘restore’ was used of James and John mending their nets, equipping them for service (Mark 1:19). Here the word refers to God mending the lives of Christians, equipping them for usefulness in his service. Then we will be strong, firm, and steadfast. God is powerful to do all that.

Verse 12 Peter likely wrote this postscript himself to commend Silas, who wrote down the letter in dictation and probably helped Peter with his Greek. Silas was likely to take the letter to various groups of the scattered believers. He is a faithful brother. Once more Peter tells us to stand fast.

Verse 13 Babylon may refer to the city on the Euphrates, where there was a considerable Jewish population. Peter wrote this letter before John used Babylon in an apocalyptic and symbolic sense of Rome (Revelation 14:8). The ‘she’ probably refers to the feminine role of the church as the bride of Christ. Mark seems to have been with Peter. An early Christian tradition deriving from Papias of Hierapolis (c.60–c.130 AD) attributes authorship of Mark’s gospel to Mark, a companion and interpreter of Peter. Not everyone agrees.

Verse 14 The word translated “kiss” (philma) occurs six other times in the New Testsment. Apart from Judas’ deceitful kiss of betrayal (Luke 22:48), it was obviously a recognised way of greeting one another with genuine brotherly affection. The mentions by the apostle Paul at the end of his letters, encouraged fellow believers to adopt such a mode of greeting (Romans 16:16, 1 Corinthians 16:20, 2 Corinthians 13 :12 and 1 Thessalonians 5:26). In each of Paul’s uses he qualifies the ‘philma’ with the word ‘holy’ (‘hagios’), so it was something very special that the early Christian believers adopted to give expression to their true feelings for one another ‘in Christ.’ In his letter, Peter qualifies it with the word ‘agape’, which clearly means the self-giving, sacrificial love that Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 13, and that was exemplified absolutely in Christ’s life and ministry, and ultimately in his death on the cross for us. Peter is obviously making a very strong appeal to us who are ‘in Christ,’ who have come to him in repentance-and-faith and submitted to him as Lord of our lives, to be sure to persevere in active pursuit of genuine, self-denying, loving relationships in all we do for him.

Questions:

The word for ‘suffer’ or ‘suffering’ is used 18 times in 1 Peter alone! How many sermons have you heard on this topic? If not many or any, why do you think that is?

Peter writes this letter to encourage the believers. Do you find it encouraging to know that you will be persecuted?

– Alida Sewell