The Book of First Peter, Chapter 5, Serve God Willingly

 

The Book of First Peter, Chapter 5

Serve God Willingly

It is unlikely that Peter has any idea that the Church, over the coming centuries, would circle the globe and influence every aspect of life where it was introduced. But Peter’s teachings laid much of the framework for the establishment of the Church, and chapter five moves us from the calling of the individual to the rudiments for the establishment of the corporate Church.

But make no mistake, Satan, the old dragon, seeing that his end is in sight, begins to rage in his death throes, creating deceptions, deploying false christs, wolves in sheep’s clothing, wars and rumors of war, an increase in famines, earthquakes. He will cause people to become lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, slanderers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power.

Jesus had warned these days would come (see Matthew 24) and Peter reminds us (chapter 4 verse 7) “the end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer:”

Serve God Willingly

1 Peter 5:1, Therefore, I urge elders among you, as your fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and one who is also a fellow partaker of the glory that is to be revealed: verse 2, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not with greed but with eagerness; verse 3, nor yet as domineering over those assigned to your care, but by proving to be examples to the flock. Verse 4. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Verse 5. You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT HE GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.

(Commentary Break): As Peter began, I reiterate, “I urge elders among you, as your fellow elder; shepherd the flock of God among you, (1) exercising oversight, not under compulsion (anagkastós – The adverb expresses an action carried out from external pressure, constraint, or a sense of unavoidable obligation. It portrays conduct that is reluctant rather than voluntary, driven by necessity rather than willing desire;

(2) “according to the will of God” is a phrase translated by some versions; however, the King James and the New King James omit the phrase, “according to the will of God”; and the English Standard version says “as God would have you”. This verse actually uses only the word “theos”, (God), and could read “as God would have you to do”. In other words, you hearers are admonished to apply the full context of that follows in the rest of verse 1 and the context of verses two and three, as such,

(2a), “not with greed but with eagerness;

(2b), nor yet as domineering over those assigned to your care, but by proving to be examples to the flock.

This is meant to be a safeguard against arrogance, self-importance, and spiritual abuse by pastors and elders, to insure humility and right cooperation among in the congregation of believers and effective unity in the Church which brings honor to God, (End Commentary Break).

Verse 6. Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, verse 7, having cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares about you.

(Commentary Break): All of us in the Church, are reminded that God alone is the Shepherd and Head of the Church. All of us are His servants with a role to be fulfilled. And there are many of those in the Church who will be called upon (exalted) to serve at the proper time. So, we are to “cast all our anxiety on Him” and live in humble unity among ourselves as we serve Him. (End Commentary Break).

Verse 8. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Verse 9. So resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brothers and sisters who are in the world. Verse 10. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. Verse 11. To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.

(Commentary Break): Peter’s letter is to the Church, although he also makes direct remarks to the elders. Now Peter’s remarks take on a serious if not ominous tone, as he turns his attention to the whole church warning us to “be of sober spirit”, or to be sober minded, for the devil is prowling like lion, seeking someone to devour. This metaphor should be taken as literally as possible. Like a traveler making his way through the forests and jungles, ‘diablo’ is always on the hunt so you must always be on the alert. Drop your guard for a minute and you and perhaps even your companions and loved ones may find yourselves eaten alive – devoured – by the schemes of the evil one. Think on this: all you have committed to, all you have prayed for, all you have sacrificed for, eaten away in one carless moment. So, endure, and after you have suffered for a while, which is your necessary preparation, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. (End Commentary Break).

Verse 12. Through Silvanus, our faithful brother (for so I regard him), I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it! Verse 13. She (the Church) who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, and so does my son, Mark. Verse 14. Greet one another with a kiss of love.

Peace be to you all who are in Christ. (End First Peter, chapter 5).

Through this entire epistle, Peter gives instructions on holy living for those suffering persecution. First Peter teaches that God can use difficulties to strengthen Christians and their witness. Knowing this can bring hope. We read First Peter to discover how faith, refined by suffering, can help us see the Lord more clearly. It gives valuable advice for holding firm in difficult times. The apostle Peter saw that increasing hardship and persecution had scattered believers, which spread their witness but caused some to wonder if God had abandoned them. Peter wrote to encourage them, offering them hope and meaning in the midst of their suffering.

Now dear friends in Christ, let’s remember that although this book was initially written to Gentile and Jewish believers in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Western Asia Minor and Bithynia, it was meant for all believers throughout all the ages. These words are for you and for me, today. This is not ‘about the Bible’ nor is it ‘about our standing in Christ’. Peter is exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God today. Let’s stand firm in it!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

PREVIOUS: The Book of First Peter, Chapter 4, Be of the Same Purpose, Share the Sufferings of Christ.

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