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1 Peter 5

14 verses

TL;DR

Peter urges church elders to shepherd willingly, calls all to humility, warns against Satan, promises God’s grace after suffering, and sends friendly greetings.

Summary

Peter opens by addressing elders as fellow witnesses of Christ’s sufferings, asking them to feed the flock voluntarily and with a willing spirit. He exhorts younger members to submit to elders and for all to live in humility, noting God opposes the proud. The letter warns of the devil as a roaring lion who seeks to devour, urging steadfast faith and vigilance. Peter reminds believers that after suffering, God will make them perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle them. The passage ends with a personal greeting from Silvanus, a blessing to the church in Babylon, and a friendly sign of peace to all in Christ.

Outline
  1. Exhortation to elders: stewardship and example (vv. 1‑4)
  2. Call to humility for younger and all (vv. 5‑6)
  3. Warning against Satan and the need for vigilance (vv. 7‑9)
  4. Promise of God’s grace after suffering (vv. 10‑11)
  5. Personal greetings and blessings (vv. 12‑14)
Themes
Stewardship and shepherdingHumility and mutual submissionVigilance against the devilEternal reward and divine strengthCommunity and mutual greetings
Keywords
elderflockhumilityvigilancesufferingsglorycrowndevilliongrace
People
PeterSilvanusMarcus
Places
Babylon
Things
flockcrownroaring liongraceeternal glorysober vigilance
Key Verses
  • 1 Peter 5:2: Stresses voluntary, willing oversight of the flock as a core pastoral duty.
  • 1 Peter 5:8: Highlights the ever-present danger of the devil, using the vivid image of a roaring lion.
  • 1 Peter 5:10: Offers hope: God will perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle those who endure.
Questions
  • How does Peter describe the responsibilities of elders in caring for the flock?
  • What does humility mean in the context of 1 Peter 5, and why is it emphasized?
  • In what ways does the image of the roaring lion convey spiritual danger?
  • What assurances does Peter give to believers who have endured suffering?
  • How do the greetings at the end reflect early Christian community practices?
Sentiment

mixed
Contains stern warnings and exhortations alongside promises of divine grace and peace.