1 Peter 5 Studies

For those who may wish to ‘study’ this chapter, the following simple resources are provided for you. Each chapter is divided into a number of studies and each study or passage has a simple four-Part, verse-by-verse approach, to help you take in and think further about what you have read.

Passage: 1 Peter 5:1-7

1 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them – not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility towards one another, because,

‘God opposes the proud
    but shows favour to the humble.’

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

A. Find Out:

1. To whom does Peter appeal and on what grounds? v.1
2. What does he encourage them to do, and how? v.2,3
3. What will happen, when? v.4
4. Who else does he exhort to do what? v.5a
5. What does he tell all to do, and why? v.5b,6
6. What further are they to do? v.7

B. Think:

1. How does Peter identify with his readers at this point?
2. What guidelines does he give leaders?
3. What instruction does he give to the flock in general?

C. Comment:

      Reverting back to the subject of submission, Peter now picks up on the roles of leaders and followers. Leaders first. He appeals to them as one in the same role, one who is a witness to Christ’s death, and also as one who, like them, will share in God’s glory in eternity.

      Let’s observe the ROLE descriptions he gives these men:

•  first elders, those who are mature and go ahead of the others,
•  second shepherds, those who care for the needs of the flock, and
• third overseers, those who watch over, guard, protect and exercise authority     in respect of the flock.

      Then observe the ROLE ATTITUDES he calls for: willingness, eagerness to serve, being examples. These are things that should be found in leaders.

      Next, he addresses young men, those in the flock who normally have the greatest problem with authority: submit to those who are older is his simple instruction.

    Then he extends his instructions to cover the whole flock: put on humility! Why? Well obviously, because a humble people will be a people who are submissive one to another, but more than that, because God is against the proud and you don’t want Him against you, do you? Yet even more, trust in God and in due season He will lift you up, so rest in Him and let Him do it His way.

D. Application:

1. Leaders have specific requirements from God. Have we them?
2. The flock has specific requirements from God. Have we them?

Passage: 1 Peter 5:8-14

8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

12 With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.

13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love.

Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

A. Find Out:

1. What are we to be and why? v.8
2. What are we to do and how and why? v.9
3. What will God do and when? v.10
4. Who helped Peter write and what was their purpose? v.12
5. Who sent greetings? v.13

B. Think:

1. What appears to be the link between Satan and sufferings here?
2. What does Peter indicate about suffering in God’s purposes?
3. What will help us stand in the suffering?

C. Comment:

      In verse 12,  Peter reveals his purpose in writing: to encourage, and to confirm that, even in the face of suffering, the life they were living was truly all the grace of God.

      Why would they have needed his encouragement? Because of the things they were going through, the persecution that Satan was seeking to stir up against them. If you read the book of Acts you will see how, after every great evangelistic thrust, the enemy stirred up major opposition.

      When that comes, the enemy also seeks to sow doubt or fear in our lives, questioning the very reality of our salvation. That’s all right, says Peter, simply hold onto your faith, keep declaring the truth, and stand firm. Remember you’re not in this alone; it’s common to many of God’s children around the world. We aren’t promised it will be easy, in fact quite the contrary.

      Fear not, says Peter, God is the God of all grace and He has the power to hold you. It may be that He allows persecution to come for a season but He will keep you through it or deliver you out of it, so one way or another you will come through strong and secure.

      Finally Peter sends greeting from those with him. “She in Babylon” may be an oblique way of referring to the church in Rome from where it is believed he wrote this letter. Mark is probably the co-author of the Gospel that goes under his name.

D. Application:  

1. Satan is limited. Stand firm in God’s unlimited grace.
2. Trials come for a limited period of time. Hold on until the end.