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| Chapter 5 |
| Bible Text | Notes and Thoughts |
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1 ¶ The elders who 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: 2 feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight of them, not by constraint but willingly, not for filthy lucre but out of a ready mind, 3 neither as being Lords over God’s heritage, but by being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. 5 ¶ Likewise, 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." 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your cares upon Him, for He careth for you. 8 ¶ Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walketh about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren who are in the world. 10 ¶ But after ye have suffered a while, may the God of all grace, who hath called us into His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you. 11 To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 12 By Silvanus, whom I account to be a faithful brother unto you, I have written briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand. 13 The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you, and so doth Mark, my son. 14 Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen. |
The church always needs good leadership, but at times of trial this becomes very important. 1 Peter 4:17 warns that ‘judgement’ is to begin at the house of God. New Testament Churches operated under the local leadership of elders and deacons. 1 Tim 3:1ff. The titles ‘Elder’ and ‘Bishop’ refer to the same position. Acts 20:17,28 ‘Elder’ refers to the spiritual maturity, ‘Bishop’ to the responsibility of the office. The word ‘Pastor’ meaning ‘shepherd’ is another title used for the same office Eph 4:11. In the New Testament church suitable people were appointed to the position by ‘being ordained’ (the raising of hands). v1 Peter introduces himself as ‘an elder’ who had witnessed the suffering of Christ. He had also experienced "the glory that shall be revealed" on the Mount of Transfiguration" Matt 17:1-5. v2 The elders must do the job willingly, without any pressure or just for payment. 1 Tim 5:17-18. v3 "Lording over" reminds us of Christ’s attitude John 13:1-17 ; Luke 22:24-30 . The Bible often uses an image of sheep or a flock for the people of God. To ‘man’ the sheep is a clean 2 Peter 2:20-22 and useful animal, supplying meat, clothing and in Bible times a sacrifice, but sheep need great care for them to be successful. They often wander away from the main herd and have no real way of defending themselves. Peter reminds the elders to care for God’s ‘sheep,’ to feed the flock, doing this with love and real care. For a shepherd feeding a flock involves searching and moving the flock to better ground as they need, making sure that there is no danger from snakes etc, so the elder needs to search, protect and teach God’s Word, to help the flock grow in Christian maturity and in number. The Elder has to always remember that the ‘flock’ really belong to God, purchase with the blood of His Son. The elders life also has to be in the Will of his Lord, showing the way by their own life, a servant of the Lord. v4 The promise of the Lord’s return and reward. If a minister does it for himself then reward could be small, for the Lord then a crown of glory. Be like Jesus the Chief Shepherd. John 10:11; Heb 13:20,21. v5-11 The way to Glory from Grace. v5-7 We must be humble: The younger respect and submit to the elders (age and spiritual maturity), yet still submit to each other. Just as Christ was willing to be the servant in that upper room. John 13:1-17; Phil 2:1-11 God does not like the proud. 1 John 2 15,16; Luke 14:11;. Give yourself, your cares, past, present and future into the hands of God, let God care for you in all things. Phil 4:13. We must let Him work through us, not sit back and not do any work. v8,9 Be on the lookout. Satan is our enemy and wants to destroy God’s people and work. Peter gives some warnings:- Respect Satan He is powerful and dangerous. Rev 12:9-11; Eph 6:10ff; Luke 13:16. Resist Him: Use the Word of God to fight him Eph 6:10-13; with prayer Eph 6:17-18; Matt 4:1-11. He can change his appearance: 2 Cor 11:13-15; John 8:44; Matt 13:24-30; Matt 13:36-43; 1 John 2:18-27. v10-11 We may suffer but God is in control. We have the grace of God, called by Him. On the way to glory. It will only last for a while but the glory is eternal. 2 Cor 4:17. These trials are making our Christian character. Rom 5:3-5. v12-14 Greetings from other Christians. |
Easy English Translation
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