A Study of I Peter
Chapter 5
Closing Exhortations
INTRODUCTION.
A. What did we learn in our study of 1 Peter 4?
1. Christians should cease from sin. v 1-4
a. Peter explained that the “end of all things is at hand. V 7-19
b. Be sober, watchful in prayers. (vs 7)
c. Have fervent love for each other. (vs 8)
d. They were to be hospitable. (vs 9)
e. Christian should have been willing to help other saints. (v 10)
2. Attitudes regarding sufferings.
a. They were not to consider the trials as being strange. (vs 12)
b. They were to rejoice when they partook of Christ's sufferings. (vs 13)
c. They were to realize that if they were reproached for the name of Christ, they would be blessed. (vs 14)
d. If Christians suffer for their service to God, then let them glorify God. (vs 15-16)
3. The Christians who suffered according to the will of God were to commit their souls to Him in doing good. (vs 17-19)
B. In this lesson, we will example Peter’s exhortations to elders and the rest of the congregation in 1 Peter 5.
I. PETER GIVES EXHORTATION TO ELDERS. (vs 1-4
A. Personal thoughts about Peter. (vs 1)
1. Peter was an elder at a local congregation probably in Jerusalem. (cf. Gal. 1:18)
2. Peter was a witness to the sufferings of Jesus Christ. According to the gospel’s account of the life of Jesus, Peter was present with Jesus throughout nearly all of His ministry. (cf. 2 Peter 1:16-18) Peter was a partaker of the glory that will be revealed. This glory, of course, is the eternal abode in heaven; an eternal abode promised to all the faithful followers of God.
3. What is an “elder”?
a. The term "elder" is translated from the Greek word "presbuteros " {pres-boo’-ter-os}. While the word does mean “of age,” there are times when the word refers to the office of the eldership, bishop, or presbyters.
b. This office is referred to in 1 Timothy 3; 5:17,19 and Titus 1:5.
c. The "elder" that Peter is referring to is the same as the bishop or presbyters; this is based upon the context of the 1 Peter 5:2-4.
B. Elders are to feed the flock of God. (vs 2-3)
1. The term "feed" is translated from the Greek word poimaino, which means "1) to feed, to tend a flock, keep sheep." (Thayer)
a. The New King James renders the term "shepherd".
b. The American Standard renders the term "tend the flock".
2. In feeding, shepherding, or tending the flock, the elders are to do so in accordance with God's holy word.
a. Elders are to serve as overseers or exercise the oversight. Oversight comes the Greek word episkopeo - {ep-ee-skp-eh'-o} which means "1) to look upon, inspect, oversee, look after, care for." (Thayer)
b. Elders should not be forced into serving; but rather, their service should come by willingness. Although a local congregation is scripturally unorganized without elders, no man should serve if he does meet the qualifications or if he does not think he can serve properly.
c. Not for "filthy lucre" (dishonest gain). Although elders can be supported by the local congregation, this support should not be the motivating force behind their service. (cf. 1 Tim. 5:17,18)
d. Do not serve as lords over God's heritage or those that have been entrusted (NKJV) or allocated (ASV) to you. The phrase "being lords over" is translated from the Greek word "katakurieuo" {kat-ak-oo-reeyoo'-o} which means "1) to bring under one's power, to subject one's self, to subdue, master 2) to hold in subjection, to be master of, exercise lordship over." (Thayer)
e. The elders should set the example for the flock to follow.
C. If elders serve in the manner so ordered by God, they will receive the crown of glory when the Lord (Chief Shepherd) comes again. (vs 4)
II. PETER GIVES EXHORTATION TO THOSE WHO ARE NOT ELDERS. (vs 5-10)
A. Younger people are to submit themselves to the elders. (vs 5a)
B. Christians, individually, are to be submissive to one another. (vs 5b)
1. The term "submissive" is translated from the Greek word "hupotasso” {hoop-ot-as'-so} which means "1) to arrange under, to subordinate 2) to subject, put in subjection 3) to subject one's self, obey 4) to submit to one's control 5) to yield to one's admonition or advice 6) to obey, be subject." (Thayer) Also "a Greek military term meaning 'to arrange [troop divisions] in a military fashion under the command of a leader'. In non-military use, it was 'a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden'."
2. The key to being submissive is possessing humility. The word "humility" is translated from the Greek word "tapeinophrosune " {tap-i-nof-ros-oo'-nay} which means "1) the having a humble opinion of one's self 2) a deep sense of one's (moral) littleness 3) modesty, humility, lowliness of mind." (Thayer)
3. This humility must first be extended towards God, casting one's cares upon Him. (vs 6-7)
C. Christians are to be sober and vigilant.
1. Sober - "nepho " {nay'-fo} - "1) to be sober, to be calm and collected in spirit 2) to be temperate, dispassionate, circumspect. " (Thayer)
2. Vigilant - "gregoreuo " {gray-gor-yoo'-o} - "1) to watch 2) metaph. give strict attention to, be cautious, active." (Thayer)
D. The reason for being sober and vigilant is so that Christians can be on watch for the devil. (8)
E. In addition to being sober and vigilant, Christians are to resist the devil and remain steadfast in the faith. (9)
F. "But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you." (vs 10, NKJV)
III. CLOSING REMARKS. (vs 11-14)
A. Peter explained that the reason for this letter was the "exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand." (vs 12, NKJV)
B. Peter sent greetings from other saints. (vs 13)
1. The term church, as some translations contain, is not in the original manuscripts. The correct word is she. There is much disagreement over to whom this she refers. Some say it was Peter’s wife while others say it was some well known Christian lady.
2. Mark is probably referring to John Mark, Peter’s son in the faith.
C. "Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen." (vs 14, NKJV)
CONCLUSION.
A. What have we learned?
1. Peter exhorted elders to shepherd the flock willing, but not for gain.
2. The elders are not to lord their position over the congregation, but to serve as examples.
3. We are submit to the elders and to one another in humility.
4. We are to be sober and vigilant (watchful.)
5. We are to resist the devil.
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1 Peter 5 -- November 16, 2003 -- File # 718
by John M. Duvall – Lawton, OK