CHAPTER V
(vs 1) "Therefore" -- Connected with preceding thoughts. Elders are
to be an encouragement to suffering Christians and
to prepare them for the judgment.
"elder" -- Those serving the congregations as overseers:
Acts 20:28; 1 Thess. 5:12; Heb. 13:17, etc.
"bishops," "pastors,"
"exhort" -- persuade. NOTE: This does not sound like the
first pope speaking.
"fellow-elder" -- Here was an apostle speaking, but he made
his remarks rather as a fellow-elder.
"witness" -- cf. 2 Pet. 1:16-18. Peter had witnessed the
glory of the transfiguration. He also had seen the
risen Lord, "the crucifixion." Also, the ascension
into heaven.
(vs 2) "Tend" (K.J. "feed") Yet, more than simply teaching.
"Flock of God" -- not the flock of the shepherds.
"among you" -- Elders are limited to those over which they
have the oversight; the local congregation.
NOTE: one eldership may not oversee the work of
another congregation.
"oversight" -- this is more than just as examples, as some
teach. It involves decisions, direction, etc.
Heb. 13:17.
"not of constraint" -- not forced into the position.
"willingly" -- a joyful service, by choice; this is not to be
a burdensome task; cheerfully.
"filthy lucre" -- The work is not for material rewards as
gain. This does suggest that elders were sometimes
supported by the congregation. 1 Tim. 5:17. Yet, be
careful.
(vs 3) "lording over" -- This word suggests the kind of jurisdiction
which evil rulers exercise. That of exercising
authority simply because one has that authority.
This oversight must be motivated by love and
concern; by truth. How often this warning has been
rejected by religious leaders.
"charge allotted" -- Again, their oversight is to only the
congregation over which they have the oversight.
NOTE: This comes from Greek word "kleron, plural of
kleros" from which our word "clergy" is
derived. But, once again, the religious world
has misused the application of it; made it to
apply to preachers.
"examples" -- taken from "tupos," type. Print made by type;
pattern or mold. The elder is surely to be a
pattern for members to follow. But, the elder is
not only to be an example, he is to oversee.
(vs 4) The reward of service:
"Chief Shepherd" cf. 2:25 -- Refers to Christ. Heb. 13:20.
Elders serve under Christ, the "Chief Shepherd."
"crown" -- never ending; eternal (1:4).
This crown ("stephanos") is one worn by heroes or
conquerors; not the one ("diadema") worn by royalty
or rulers.
(vs 5) "Likewise"-- Each has a responsibility. The older, younger.
"Ye younger" -- Some think this refers to all who are not
elders. The word "younger" sometimes meant those
inferior in position.
"be subject" -- There is oversight and their is submission.
NOTE" Both "younger" and "elder" are plural.
NOTE: Though the word "elder" carries the reference to
"age" it would be strange for the same word to be
used with different meanings in the same context.
"all of you" -- Peter now addresses each and all together.
"grid yourselves" -- clothe yourself with humility. We do not
serve God by accident. We are to "tie" or wrap
ourselves securely with humility.
"to serve one another"-- Each of us has a responsibility to
each member. Our life is to be a life of service.
We are not in a vacuum.
"resiseth the proud" -- Pride has always been a deterrent to
serving God. Prov. 16:18, "Pride goeth before
destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall."
"grace...humble" - favor upon those who submit to God and His
will. Those who do His commandments.
(vs 6) "yourselves" -- an individual matter. None of us can afford
to exalt ourselves over another.
"mighty hand" -- No way to measure the power of God. If we
are to be exalted, allow God to do it.
(vs 7) "Be sober" -- Not contrasted with "drunk," but calmness of
mind, self control.
"be watchful" -- We must ever be on guard; we can never
forget that pitfalls and dangers are ever present.
May we never become complacent. Many passages that
remind us to WATCH, be vigilant.
"adversary" -- We have a constant enemy.
"roaring lion" -- Suggests a lion who is hungry; active.
"walketh about" -- not content to wait for you to come to
him, but, is actively pursuing you. He seeks your
destruction, your eternal loss.
"devour" -- His desire is to destroy you.
(vs 9) "withstand" -- Can we withstand, resist, Satan. YES!!!
Jas. 4:7 - "Resist the devil and he will flee from you."
Be steadfast, unbinding (cf. Noah, Gen. 6:8). Be
rigid, righteous.
"faith" -- A complete trust in God. Your trials are not
peculiar to you alone, Others have like
difficulties. We all have a common problem-- The
decision to serve the Lord in the face of trials
and disappointments.
(vs 10) "Grace" -- Unmerited favor. He bestows all grace.
Here Peter offers a prayer in their behalf.
"Called you" -- All Christians have been called. 2 Thess.
2:13,14; Eph. 4:1. Being a child of God by choice.
"suffer" -- Part of life. Suffering can be beneficial. Jas.
1:2-4; 2 Cor. 4:17; Rom. 8:18, etc.
"Perfect..." -- All are verbs in the future tense. Yet to
come. Mature, full grown. Used to repair nets.
(Mark 1:19) Bringing one to full usefulness.
"establish" -- To set fast, to be firmly fixed.
"strengthen" -- to supply strength.
(K.J. adds, "settle you" give you a good foundation.
(vs 11) Cf. 4:11 -- Our very purpose of existence is to bring honor
and glory to the Father.
"ever and ever" -- indicates eternity. "unto the ages of the
ages."
(vs 12) "By Silvanus" (Silas) Acts. 15:22; 32:40; 1 Thess. 1:1;
2 Cor. 1:19. Silas was one who accompanied Paul on
his second journey. He was respected by the church
in Jerusalem (Acts 15:22,23). A faithful brother.
Either Silas carried the letter or Peter dictated
it by Silas, or both.
"briefly" -- The letter is not a long one.
"exhorting" -- encouraging them
"testifying" -- bearing witness to the truth.
"stand ye fast" -- You are in the grace of God. Be firm,
stand, hold your position; be unswerving;
unmovable; cf. 1 Cor. 15:58.
(vs 13) "Babylon" -- We discussed this in our introduction when we
determined the place from which the letter was
written. Probably the Babylon on the Eyphrates.
"She" -- The church. "elect together"
Some suppose this was an actual woman; perhaps even
the wife of Peter. (1 Cor. 9:5).
"Mark" -- the cousin of Barnabas (Col. 4:10); who traveled
with Paul and Barnabas on Paul's first journey.
"son"-- in the same sense that Timothy was the "child" of
Paul (Phil. 2:22; 1 Tim. 1:2)
(vs 14) "kiss" -- A common practice in the early church (Rom. 16:16;
1 Cor. 16:20; 2 Cor. 13:12; 1 Thess. 5:26). "Holy
kiss," "of love," nothing sensual about this.
A greeting, same as a handshake.
"Peace..." "in Christ" -- The only place to find true peace.
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