King James Version
1 Peter 5
14 verses with commentary
Instructions to Elders and Young Men
The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
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KJV Study Commentary
Peter addresses elders as fellow elder. Peter witnessed Christ's suffering and will share His glory. Present suffering yields future glory.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
V.
(1-11) FURTHER EXHORTATIONS SUGGESTED BY THE CRISIS.—The officers of the community are not to flinch from the duties imposed upon them, nor yet to perform them in any spirit of self-assertion. The laity, on the other hand, are to observe discipline. Indeed, mutual submission is the only safe-guard in the face of a common danger. An unbroken front must be presented, and the sense of brotherhood ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**17. afterwards--**Greek, "even afterward." He despised his birthright, accordingly also he was despised and rejected when he wished to have the blessing. As in the believer's case, so in the unbeliever's, there is an "afterwards" coming, when the believer shall look on his past griefs, and the unbeliever on his past joys, in a very different light from that in which they were respectively viewed...
Read full commentary →Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; which: or, as much as in you is
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KJV Study Commentary
Peter commands faithful shepherding. Serve willingly, sacrificially, humbly. Elders are under-shepherds accountable to Chief Shepherd.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2) **Feed the flock of God which is among you.**—By the word “feed” here is meant, not merely the giving of pasture, but the whole government. It is the verb used in John 21:16, not that in the 15th and 17th verses. There can be hardly any doubt that St. Peter was thinking of that scene when he issued these directions. Our Lord had committed into his hands all His sheep and lambs, without restric...
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**18. For--**The fact that we are not under the law, but under a higher, and that the last dispensation, the Gospel, with its glorious privileges, is the reason why especially the Hebrew Christians should "look diligently," &c. (He 12:15, 16).
**are not come--**Greek, "have not come near to." Alluding to De 4:11, "Ye came near and stood under the mountain; and the mountain burned with fire ....
Read full commentary →Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. being lords over: or, overruling
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KJV Study Commentary
Peter continues: don't domineer, but be examples. Lead by character not coercion. Most influential leaders lead through character.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) **Neither as being lords.**—Rather, *nor yet as lording it.* The English version is somewhat too strict for the Greek and for the sense. There is a sense in which the heads of the Church are, and ought to be, lords and princes over the rest; but this is very different from “lording it,” acting tyrannically, forgetting the constitutional rights of their subjects.
**Over God’s heritage.**—Quite ...
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**19. trumpet--**to rouse attention, and herald God's approach (Ex 19:16).
**entreated that the word should not be spoken--**literally, "that speech should not be added to them"; not that they refused to hear the word of God, but they wished that God should not Himself speak, but employ Moses as His mediating spokesman. "The voice of words" was the Decalogue, spoken by God Himself, a voice issui...
Read full commentary →And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
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KJV Study Commentary
Peter promises reward: unfading crown of glory when Chief Shepherd appears. Faithful service yields future glory. Accountability to Chief Shepherd restrains abuse.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **And when the chief Shepherd shall appear.**—Or, *And at the chief Shepherd’s appearing.* The “and” treats it as a simple natural consequence of acting as just indicated. The beautiful word for “chief Shepherd” seems to have been invented by St. Peter, and it has been apparently imitated in Hebrews 13:20. How could an office be more honoured than by speaking of Christ as the chief bearer of t...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**20. that which was commanded--**"the interdict" [Tittmann]. A stern interdictory mandate is meant.
**And--**rather, "Even if a beast (much more a man) touch," &c.
**or thrust through with a dart--**omitted in the oldest manuscripts. The full interdict in Ex 19:12, 13 is abbreviated here; the beast alone, being put for "whether man or beast"; the stoning, which applies to the human offend...
Read full commentary →Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
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KJV Study Commentary
Peter addresses intergenerational church dynamics and universal Christian virtue. "Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder" (<em>homoiōs neoteroi hypotagēte presbyterois</em>, ὁμοίως νεώτεροι ὑποτάγητε πρεσβυτέροις) commands younger members (possibly newer believers or younger in age) to submit to elders' spiritual oversight and wisdom. The adverb "likewise" connects to previous ins...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(5) **Likewise, ye younger.**—Self-submission has been, at least tacitly, inculcated upon the pastors in 1Peter 5:3; so the writer can say “likewise” in turning to the rest. In comparison with the presbyters or elders, the lay people are styled “younger,” or “juniors;” although in point of natural age, or of baptismal seniority, they might be the older. So our Lord addresses His disciples (accordi...
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**21. the sight--**the vision of God's majesty.
**quake--**Greek, "I am in trembling"; "fear" affected his mind: "trembling," his body. Moses is not recorded in Exodus to have used these words. But Paul, by inspiration, supplies (compare Ac 20:35; 2Ti 3:8) this detail. We read in De 9:19, Septuagint, of similar words used by Moses after breaking the two tables, through fear of God's anger at the...
Read full commentary →Humble Yourselves
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
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KJV Study Commentary
This command calls for active, voluntary humility before God's sovereign authority. 'Humble yourselves' (ταπεινώθητε, tapeinōthēte) is an aorist imperative—a decisive, urgent command. The reflexive nature indicates self-humbling is required, not passive waiting for God to humble us. The sphere is specified: 'under the mighty hand of God' (ὑπὸ τὴν κρα ταιὰν χεῖρα τοῦ θεοῦ, hypo tēn krataian cheira ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) **Humble yourselves therefore**.—This, too, looks an amplification of a proverb, when we compare it with James 4:10. The humility here recommended is not merely a submissive bearing of the strokes which it pleased God to let fall upon them, but it was to be shown, as we see in the former verse, in their bearing toward one another. And “the mighty hand of God” is not to be regarded as that whic...
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**22. are come--**Greek, "have come near unto" (compare De 4:11). Not merely, ye shall come, but, ye have already come.
**Mount Sion--**antitypical Sion, the heavenly Jerusalem, of which the spiritual invisible Church (of which the first foundation was laid in literal Zion, Joh 12:15; 1Pe 2:6) is now the earnest; and of which the restored literal Jerusalem hereafter shall be the earthly represen...
Read full commentary →Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.</strong> This tender command, embedded within Peter's instructions to church elders and the congregation, presents one of Scripture's most comforting invitations regarding anxiety and divine care. The verse addresses the universal human experience of worry while revealing God's personal concern for His people.<br><br>"Casting" (ἐπιρίψα...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(7) **Casting all your care upon him.**—An adaptation of Psalm 55:22, according to the LXX. Anxiety implies not only some distrust of God’s providence, but also some kind of belief that we may be able to manage better for ourselves; therefore here, as in the Sermon on the Mount, we are exhorted, especially in time of danger, simply to do what we know we ought to do, and to be unheeding about the r...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**22. are come--**Greek, "have come near unto" (compare De 4:11). Not merely, ye shall come, but, ye have already come.
**Mount Sion--**antitypical Sion, the heavenly Jerusalem, of which the spiritual invisible Church (of which the first foundation was laid in literal Zion, Joh 12:15; 1Pe 2:6) is now the earnest; and of which the restored literal Jerusalem hereafter shall be the earthly represen...
Read full commentary →Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
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KJV Study Commentary
This urgent warning against spiritual complacency uses vivid imagery to alert believers to Satan's predatory nature. The dual command "be sober, be vigilant" (<em>nēpsate, grēgorēsate</em>) employs two complementary verbs: <em>nēpsate</em> means to be free from intoxication, mentally alert, self-controlled, while <em>grēgorēsate</em> means to watch, stay awake, remain vigilant. Together they deman...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(8) **Be sober, be vigilant.**—Single words in the Greek, and in the tense which bespeaks *immediate* attention. The best text omits the following “because.” These are the sudden cries of warning of a shepherd who spies the lion prowling round the flock in the darkness, while the guardians of the flock lie drowsy and secure.
**As a roaring lion.**—The epithet is not only added to lend terror to th...
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**24. new--**not the usual term (kaine) applied to the Christian covenant (He 9:15), which would mean new as different from, and superseding the old; but Greek, "nea," "recent," "lately established," having the "freshness of youth," as opposed to age. The mention of Jesus, the Perfecter of our faith (He 12:2), and Himself perfected through sufferings and death, in His resurrection and ascension (H...
Read full commentary →Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
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KJV Study Commentary
Peter commands: resist Satan steadfast in faith. Believers globally face identical sufferings. You're not alone.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(9) **Whom resist stedfast in the faith.**—The expression is somewhat more picturesque in the Greek than in the English. “Stand and face him,” instead of running away from posts of duty (1Peter 5:2), or lying still and letting things take their course (1Peter 5:8). And the words for “stedfast in the faith” seem to mean not only that each individual is to stand firm, but that they are to present al...
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**25. refuse not--**through unbelief.
**him that speaketh--**God in Christ. As the blood of sprinkling is represented as speaking to God for us, He 12:24; so here God is represented as speaking to us (He 1:1, 2). His word now is the prelude of the last "shaking" of all things (He 12:27). The same word which is heard in the Gospel from heaven, will shake heaven and earth (He 12:26).
**who refus...
Read full commentary →But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
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KJV Study Commentary
This magnificent benediction encapsulates the gospel's hope and God's faithfulness to suffering believers. "But the God of all grace" (<em>ho de theos pasēs charitos</em>, ὁ δὲ θεὸς πάσης χάριτος) identifies God by His characteristic attribute—unlimited, unmerited favor. Every blessing flows from grace, not merit. The relative clause "who hath called us unto his eternal glory" (<em>ho kalesas hyma...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(10) **Who hath called us unto his eternal glory.**—The true reading is, *who called you, *not “us.” The moment of the call was that when St. Paul and the others first preached there. (See 1Peter 1:12; 1Peter 1:25, and Notes.) The God who *now* bestows all *grace, *by the giving of that grace calls us into glory.
“The men of grace have found
Glory begun below.”
**By Christ Jesus.**—On the whole it...
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**26. then shook--**when He gave the law on Sinai.
**now--**under the Gospel.
**promised--**The announcement of His coming to break up the present order of things, is to the ungodly a terror, to the godly a promise, the fulfilment of which they look for with joyful hope.
**Yet once more--**Compare Notes, see on Hag 2:6; Hag 2:21, 22, both of which passages are condensed into one here. The sh...
Read full commentary →To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
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KJV Study Commentary
Peter prays: To God be glory and dominion forever. All power belongs to God eternally. Final doxology concludes letter with worship.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(11) **To him toe glory.**—“The Apostle,” says Leighton, “having added prayer to his doctrine, adds here, you see, praise to his prayer.” This is the true consolation in trouble, to extol the power of God. If His be the dominion, and He have called us to His glory, then what can we fear?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**27. this word, Yet once more--**So Paul, by the Spirit, sanctions the Septuagint rendering of Hag 2:6, giving an additional feature to the prophecy in the Hebrew, as rendered in English Version, not merely that it shall be in a little while, but that it is to be "once more" as the final act. The stress of his argument is on the "ONCE." Once for all; once and for ever. "In saying 'once more,' the...
Read full commentary →Final Greetings
By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly , exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.
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KJV Study Commentary
Peter identifies Silvanus as scribe. This is the true grace of God - stand fast in it. Letter's purpose: encourage and testify to God's grace.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(12-14) CONCLUDING GREETING.—You will trust the bearer of this Letter, and abide steadfastly in the faith which he has taught you. The exiled Israel in this wicked capital feels for you. Love and peace be among you.
(12) **By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose.**—There is not any reason for doubting that this is the same as the Silas of the Acts and the Silvanus of 2Corinthians 1:...
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**28. receiving--**as we do, in prospect and sure hope, also in the possession of the Spirit the first-fruits. This is our privilege as Christians.
**let us have grace--**"let us have thankfulness" [Alford after Chrysostom]. But (1) this translation is according to classical Greek, not Paul's phraseology for "to be thankful." (2) "To God" would have been in that case added. (3) "Whereby we may s...
Read full commentary →The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.
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Peter sends greetings from Babylon (Rome) and Mark. Chosen together with you refers to church. Mark's inclusion shows reconciliation.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(13) **The church. . . . elected together with you.**—In the original it simply stands “the co-elect one [fern. sing.] in Babylon.” Some, therefore, seeing immediately after, “Marcus, my son,” and knowing that St. Peter was a married man (Matthew 8:14, 1Corinthians 9:5), have thought that this “co-elect one” was St. Peter’s wife. But (1) it is highly improbable that St. Mark was in that sense “son...
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29. Greek, "For even": "for also"; introducing an additional solemn incentive to diligence. Quoted from De 4:24.
**our God--**in whom we hope, is also to be feared. He is love (1Jo 4:8, 16); yet there is another side of His character; God has wrath against sin (He 10:27, 31).
Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
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KJV Study Commentary
Peter commands: Greet one another with kiss of love. Peace be with all in Christ Jesus. Final blessing pronounces shalom.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(14) **Kiss of charity.**—Not only does he wish them to receive the greetings of the Roman Church, but to display their brotherly love to each other as well. On the kiss of charity, see 1Thessalonians 5:26. The “peace” which he wishes to them includes, though it is not limited to, peace amongst themselves.
**Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
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