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<h2><a onclick="return mV('1Pe',5,'all');">1Pe 5</a> - For Shepherds and Sheep</h2>
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<p>A. Elders should be faithful shepherds.</p>
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<p class="c1">1. (<a onclick="return mV('1Pe',5,1);">1</a>) A call to elders.</p>
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<p class="c2"><span>The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed:</span></p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">The elders who are among you I exhort</span></b><span>: </span>Peter will give a word of exhortation to <b><span class="c3">the elders who are among</span></b> the Christians reading this letter. These elders have special responsibilities that Peter will address.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. The idea of the <b><span class="c3">elder</span></b> came into church life from Jewish culture (<a onclick="return mV('Exd',3,16);">Exd 3:16</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Exd',12,21);">12:21</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Exd',19,7);">19:7</a>). The word "<b><span class="c3">elder</span></b>" simply speaks of the maturity and wisdom that an older person should have, making them qualified for leadership. In its application, it is more about wisdom and maturity than age.</p>
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<p class="c5">ii. It was the practice of Paul and Barnabas to appoint elders in the churches they had founded (<a onclick="return mV('Act',14,23);">Act 14:23</a>). There was also the development of the office of pastor, who was essentially a teaching elder (<a onclick="return mV('1Ti',5,17);">1Ti 5:17</a>) who appointed and guided elders and other leaders (<a onclick="return mV('1Ti',3,'1-13');">1Ti 3:1-13</a>; <a onclick="return mV('2Ti',2,2);">2Ti 2:2</a>;, <a onclick="return mV('Tts',1,'5-9');">Tts 1:5-9</a>).</p>
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<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">I who am a fellow elder</span></b>: Peter is qualified to speak because he is <b><span class="c3">a fellow elder</span></b>. Though Peter was clearly the prominent disciple among the twelve, he claims no special privilege or position, such as the "Pope" of the early church. Instead, Peter sees himself only as one <b><span class="c3">fellow elder</span></b> among all the elders in the church.</p>
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<p class="c4">c. <b><span class="c3">A witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed</span></b><span>: </span>Peter is qualified to speak because he is a <b><span class="c3">witness</span></b> of Jesus' sufferings, when he saw Jesus' torture and crucifixion, and he was a <b><span class="c3">partaker</span></b> of Jesus' glory, probably when he saw Jesus' transfiguration.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. Peter wrote about suffering and glory in the Christian life (<a onclick="return mV('1Pe',4,'12-13');">1Pe 4:12-13</a>). Because Peter saw both suffering and glory in the life of Jesus, he can speak with the authority of an eyewitness.</p>
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<p class="c1">2. (<a onclick="return mV('1Pe',5,'2-3');">2-3</a>) What leaders in the church must do.</p>
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<p class="c2"><span>Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;</span></p>
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<p class="c4">a. They must <b><span class="c3">shepherd the flock of God</span></b>. Peter seems to be remembering Jesus' three-part commission to him in <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',21,'15-17');">Jhn 21:15-17</a>. In that passage, Jesus told Peter to show his love for Jesus by feeding and tending Jesus' sheep.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. How does a spiritual <b><span class="c3">shepherd</span></b> do his job? The first job is to <i>feed</i> the sheep. Jesus emphasized this to Peter in <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',21,'15-17');">Jhn 21:15-17</a>. Another aspect of the job is to <i>tend</i> the sheep, which means protecting, guiding, nurturing, and caring for the sheep.</p>
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<p class="c5">ii. The most important "tool" to <b><span class="c3">shepherd the flock of God</span></b> is a heart like Jesus', that is willing to give one's life for the sheep, and who genuinely cares about and is interested in them (<a onclick="return mV('Jhn',10,'11-14');">Jhn 10:11-14</a>).</p>
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<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">Serving as overseers</span></b>: For Peter, the job of being a shepherd can also be understood as being an <b><span class="c3">overseer</span></b>. This word for leadership comes to the church from Greek culture, and it means someone who watches over, a manager, or a supervisor (<a onclick="return mV('Act',20,28);">Act 20:28</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Ti',3,'1-2');">1Ti 3:1-2</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Tts',1,7);">Tts 1:7</a>).</p>
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<p class="c4">c. <b><span class="c3">Not by compulsion but willingly</span></b><span>: </span>Shepherds should not do their job by <b><span class="c3">compulsion</span></b>, as if they were being forced into a task they really hated. Instead, they should serve God and His people <b><span class="c3">willingly</span></b>, from a heart that loves sheep and wants to serve.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. "None of God's soldiers are mercenaries or pressed men: they are all volunteers. We must have a shepherd's heart if we would do a shepherd's work." (Meyer)</p>
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<p class="c4">d. <b><span class="c3">Not for dishonest gain but eagerly</span></b><span>: </span>Shepherds should not do their job for <b><span class="c3">dishonest gain</span></b>. The gain is <b><span class="c3">dishonest</span></b> because it was their motive for serving as shepherds. Instead, they should serve <b><span class="c3">eagerly</span></b>, willing to serve apart from financial compensation.</p>
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<p class="c4">e. <b><span class="c3">Nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock</span></b><span>:</span> Shepherds should not do their job as <b><span class="c3">lords</span></b>, because the sheep do not belong to them. The sheep are <b><span class="c3">entrusted</span></b> to them. Instead, shepherds are to serve by being <b><span class="c3">examples</span></b>, not dictators.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. <b><span class="c3">Nor as being lords</span></b> shows that in the mind of Peter, shepherds had significant authority in the early church. If the office of shepherd was so powerless that a shepherd didn't rule and lead, then there was little potential for <b><span class="c3">being lords</span></b>. But because Peter gives this warning, it shows there was the potential for lording over.</p>
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<p class="c5">ii. The sobering fact is that pastors <i>are</i> <b><span class="c3">examples to the flock</span></b>, whether they intend to be or not. It is interesting to see how a congregation takes on the personality of its pastor in good ways and bad ways.</p>
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<p class="c1">3. (<a onclick="return mV('1Pe',5,4);">4</a>) The reward for leaders in the church.</p>
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<p class="c2"><span>And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.</span></p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">When the Chief Shepherd appears</span></b>: Peter reminds shepherds in the church that they will answer one day to their <b><span class="c3">Chief Shepherd</span></b>, who will want to know what they did with His flock!</p>
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<p class="c5">i. It is important for shepherds - pastors - to realize that they lead <i>Jesus'</i> sheep. <i>He</i> is the Shepherd, <i>He</i> is the Overseer (<a onclick="return mV('1Pe',2,25);">1Pe 2:25</a>). In this sense, the Christian shepherd doesn't work for the sheep, he works for the <b><span class="c3">Chief Shepherd</span></b>.</p>
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<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">You will receive a crown of glory</span></b>: Faithful shepherds are promised a <b><span class="c3">crown of glory</span></b>, but not like the crown of leaves given to ancient Olympic champions. This crown will <b><span class="c3">not fade away</span></b>.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. Crowns are not only for shepherds, but for everyone who was faithful to Jesus and who did what He called them to do (<a onclick="return mV('1Cr',9,25);">1Cr 9:25</a>; <a onclick="return mV('2Ti',4,8);">2Ti 4:8</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jam',1,12);">Jam 1:12</a>).</p>
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<p>B. Everyone should be humble and watchful.</p>
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<p class="c1">1. (<a onclick="return mV('1Pe',5,'5-7');">5-7</a>) A promise for the humble.</p>
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<p class="c2"><span>Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to <i>your </i>elders. Yes, all of <i>you </i>be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.</span></p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">Likewise you younger people</span></b>: Peter begins this word of humility to <b><span class="c3">you younger people</span></b>, in contrast to the elders he has just addressed. But he soon realizes that it is of application to <b><span class="c3">all of you</span></b>. This word to <b><span class="c3">be submissive to one another and be clothed with humility</span></b> applies to everyone, but perhaps <i>especially</i> to the young.</p>
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<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">Clothed with humility</span></b>: <b><span class="c3">Humility</span></b> is demonstrated by submission. It is the ability to cheerfully put away our own agenda for God's, even if God's agenda is expressed through another person.</p>
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<p class="c4">c. <b><span class="c3">Be clothed with humility</span></b>: "<b><span class="c3">Be clothed</span></b>" translates a rare word that refers to a slave putting on an apron before serving, even as Jesus did before washing the disciple's feet (<a onclick="return mV('Jhn',13,4);">Jhn 13:4</a>).</p>
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<p class="c4">d. <b><span class="c3">For "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."</span></b> Humility is essential to our relationship with God. If we want to walk in God's <b><span class="c3">grace</span></b> (His unmerited favor) then we must lay aside our pride and be <b><span class="c3">humble</span></b> - not only to Him but also to one another.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. Grace and pride are eternal enemies. Pride demands that God bless me in light of what I think I deserve. Grace will only deal with me on the basis what is in God (love), not on the basis of anything in me.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. "Pride is one of the most detestable of sins; yet does it find lodgment in earnest souls, though we often speak of it by some lighter name. We call it - independence, self-reliance. We do not always discern it in the hurt feeling, which retires into itself, and nurses its sorrows in a sulk...We are proud of our humility, vain of our meekness; and, putting on the saintliest look, we wonder whether all around are not admiring us for our lowliness." (Meyer)</p>
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<p class="c4">e. <b><span class="c3">That He may exalt you in due time</span></b>: If God has us in a humble place at the present time, we must submit to God's plan. He knows the <b><span class="c3">due time</span></b> to exalt us, though we often think we know that time better than God does.</p>
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<p class="c4">f. <b><span class="c3">Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you</span></b><span>: </span>True humility is shown by our ability to cast our <b><span class="c3">care upon</span></b> God. It is proud presumption to take things into our own worry and care about things that God has promised to take care of (<a onclick="return mV('Mat',5,'31-34');">Mat 5:31-34</a>).</p>
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<p class="c5">i. Sometimes we need to call worry and inappropriate care exactly what it is: pride and unbelief, and a desire to usurp God's place as our providing, caring Father.</p>
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<p class="c5">ii. <b><span class="c3">He cares for you</span></b>: At their best moments, the religions of Greek culture could imagine a God who was good. Yet they never came to the place where they believed in a God who <i>cared</i>. The God of the Bible - the God who is really there - is a God who <b><span class="c3">cares for you</span></b>.</p>
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<p class="c5">iii. We often judge the parents by the children. When a child of God is full of worry and fear, doesn't the world have reason to believe that their Father in heaven doesn't care for them? Our worry and fear reflects poorly - in an unfair way - upon God.</p>
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<p class="c1">2. (<a onclick="return mV('1Pe',5,'8-9');">8-9</a>) Be watchful for the devil.</p>
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<p class="c2"><span>Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.</span></p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">Your adversary the devil walks about</span></b>: We must remain clear-headed (<b><span class="c3">sober</span></b>) and watchful (<b><span class="c3">vigilant</span></b>), because Satan has not yet been bound and restrained for 1,000 years as <a onclick="return mV('Rev',20,'1-2');">Rev 20:1-2</a> says he will be. At the present time, <b><span class="c3">the devil walks about</span></b>.</p>
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<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">Like a roaring lion</span></b>: For Christians, Satan is a <b><span class="c3">lion</span></b> who may roar but who has been de-fanged at the cross (<a onclick="return mV('Col',2,15);">Col 2:15</a>). Yet the sound of his roar - his deceptive lies - are still potent and he has the power to <b><span class="c3">devour</span></b> souls and rob Christians of effectiveness.</p>
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<p class="c4">c. <b><span class="c3">Resist him, steadfast in the faith</span></b>: The secret of spiritual warfare is simple, <b><span class="c3">steadfast</span></b>, <i>resistance</i>. As we are <b><span class="c3">steadfast in the faith</span></b>, we resist the devil lies and threats and intimidation.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. Significantly, Peter doesn't tell us to cast demons out of other Christians. He simply challenges individual Christians to deal with Satan as a conquered foe who can and must be personally resisted.</p>
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<p class="c5">ii. <b><span class="c3">Resist</span></b> comes from two Greek words: <i>stand</i> and <i>against</i>. Peter tells us to <i>stand against</i> the devil. Satan can be set running by the resistance of the lowliest believer who comes in the authority of what Jesus did on the cross.</p>
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<p class="c4">d. <b><span class="c3">Knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world</span></b>: We also take comfort in knowing that we are never alone in our spiritual warfare. Our brothers and sisters in Jesus have fought, and are fighting, the same battles.</p>
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<p class="c1">3. (<a onclick="return mV('1Pe',5,'10-11');">10-11</a>) A prayer for their spiritual strengthening.</p>
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<p class="c2"><span>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 <i>you</i>. To Him <i>be </i>the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.</span></p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">May the God of all grace...perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you</span></b>: Peter, knowing the suffering and danger Christians face, can only conclude with <i>prayer</i>. He asks God to do His work of perfecting, establishing, strengthening, and settling.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. These things are God's work in us and through us. Peter personally knew the futility of trying to face suffering and danger in one's own strength. His own failure taught him the need for constant reliance on God's work in our lives, so he prays for his dear Christian friends.</p>
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<p class="c5">ii. <b><span class="c3">After you have suffered a while</span></b>: We almost want to ask Peter, "Why did you say that?" But the truth remains. We are only <b><span class="c3">called...to His eternal glory...after you have suffered a while</span></b>. We wish we were called to His eternal glory on the "no suffering" plan. But God uses suffering to <b><span class="c3">perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle</span></b> us.</p>
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<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever</span></b>: The God who can do this great work in our lives is worthy of our praise!</p>
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<p class="c1">4. (<a onclick="return mV('1Pe',5,'12-14');">12-14</a>) Conclusion to the letter.</p>
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<p class="c2"><span>By Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand. She who is in Babylon, elect together with <i>you, </i>greets you; and <i>so does </i>Mar my son. Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.</span></p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">By Silvanus...I have written to you</span></b>: This portion was probably written by Peter's own hand, after he (according to the custom of the day) had dictated the bulk of the letter to <b><span class="c3">Silvanus</span></b>. This man <b><span class="c3">Silvanus</span></b> is probably the same one known as Silas in many of Paul's letters.</p>
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<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">This is the true grace of God in which you stand</span></b>: Peter sums up his message as an exhortation to understand and recognize <b><span class="c3">the true grace of God in which you stand</span></b>. We must understand not only what God's grace is, but that grace is our place of present standing before Him.</p>
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<p class="c4">c. <b><span class="c3">She who is in Babylon...greets you</span></b>: <b><span class="c3">She</span></b> probably refers to the church, which in Greek is in the feminine. Peter apparently writes from <b><span class="c3">Babylon</span></b>. This may be the literal city of Babylon (which still existed in Peter's day), or it may be a symbolic way of referring to either Rome or Jerusalem. These were two cities that in Peter's day were famous for their wickedness and spiritual rebellion, just like ancient <b><span class="c3">Babylon</span></b>. In any regard, this is one church greeting another.</p>
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<p class="c4">d. <b><span class="c3">So does Mark my son</span></b>: This verse connects <b><span class="c3">Mar</span></b> with Peter, apparently the same Mark of <a onclick="return mV('Act',12,12);">Act 12:12</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Act',12,25);">12:25</a>, and <a onclick="return mV('Act',15,'37-39');">15:37-39</a>. When the style and perspective of the Gospel of Mark are taken into account, many are led to believe that Peter was Mark's primary source of information for his gospel.</p>
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<p class="c4">e. <b><span class="c3">Greet one another with a kiss of love</span></b><span>: </span>Peter concludes with a command to greet and display God's love to one another, and by pronouncing a blessing of <b><span class="c3">peace</span></b>. These two things - <b><span class="c3">love</span></b> for each other and <b><span class="c3">peace</span></b> - are especially necessary for those who suffer and live in dangerous times.</p>
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