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Read 1 Peter Chapter 5

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1The 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:

2Feed 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;

3Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

4And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

5Likewise, 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.

6Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

7Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

9Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

10But 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.

11To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

12By 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.

13The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.

14Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

You are readingKing James Version

Explanation

1 Peter 5

In short

Peter writes to church leaders and members about how to live well together. He tells leaders to care for their people faithfully and humbly, and tells everyone to trust God with their worries and to stand firm when facing hardship.

What the text says

Verses 1-4 address church elders. Peter calls himself an elder too and a witness to Christ's suffering. He tells them to feed and oversee the flock willingly, not for money or power, but as willing examples. When Christ appears as the Chief Shepherd, they will receive a crown of glory that does not fade.

Verses 5-7 speak to the whole church. Younger members should respect elders. Everyone must submit to one another and wear humility, because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. They should humble themselves under God's hand and cast all their cares on him, since he cares for them.

Verses 8-10 warn of danger ahead. Be alert, because the devil like a roaring lion hunts for someone to devour. Resist him steady in faith, knowing other believers worldwide suffer the same. After they have suffered a while, God of all grace will perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle them.

Verses 11-14 close with a blessing, Peter's note about writing through Silvanus, greetings from the church at Babylon and Marcus, and a final greeting of peace.

Takeaways

  • Church leaders must serve their people with willing hearts and humble lives, not demanding power or payment.
  • God gives strength to those who trust him with their troubles and stand firm when troubles come.
  • Humility toward one another and toward God is what allows his grace to work in a community.

Explanation written with the help of AI. The Bible text above is not changed. Context and interpretation are flagged as such; always come back to the text itself.