Peter concludes his letter here, beginning with an appeal to the elders in the various congregations throughout Asia. He then urges everyone under the elders to submit to them, humbling themselves before God and resisting the devil, knowing that God will exalt his children in due time. He wraps up with doxology and benediction, commending Silas as the deliverer of his letter, and greetings from Rome, most notably Mark. Let’s take a look.
1) V1-4 – 1To 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: 2Be 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; 3not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
Peter addresses the elders of the various Asian congregations. He reminds them that he shares their role of elder, and furthermore that he is a witness of the sufferings of Christ. In other words, Peter knows firsthand what is it to be an elder, and he knows from seeing Jesus what it is to be righteous and yet to suffer persecution. And to encourage his audience further, Peter says they “will share in the glory to be revealed” (v1). All of these reminders and encouraging words are to make his instruction all the more meaningful: “Be shepherds of God’s flock” (v2). God’s people are like sheep, and God has established the roles of pastors and elders to be as shepherds to watch over His sheep, to protect them and lead them into safe pastures, guiding them to growth in their sanctification.
This simple instruction Peter gives to the elders is crucial and must not be taken lightly. Peter elaborates on it in v2-3, and gives a valuable motive for obeying his instruction in v4. First, elders should be shepherds and watch over God’s people willingly and not out of compulsion. Though they are compelled to do so, they should want to do it. There’s a sense in which I’m compelled to be faithful to my wife, but it’s certainly better if I want to be faithful to her and don’t simple obey begrudgingly. Second, elders should be eager to serve and not simply to earn money. Now it’s true that elders (teaching elders, or preachers) deserve to be paid, but in this context, Peter is concerned with elders out to make a quick buck as a result of their status and authority. Paul’s ministry was marked by his eagerness to serve, not by his greed for money or material possessions; and that’s what Peter wants for the elders of the churches of Asia. Third, elders should not lord their authority over God’s people, but they should be examples of servant leadership. Elders are not to be taskmasters who say, “Go there!” and “Do this!” but they should go there and do this and in so doing show God’s people how to serve. Finally, the motive for serving as elder in this kind of humility is to “receive the crown of glory that will never fade away” (v4), when Jesus – “the Chief Shepherd” – appears. There is a reward for service that might not be gained in this life. But God rewards us based on the attitude of our hearts as we serve.
2) V5-10 – 5In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble’ [Proverbs 3:34]. 6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. 8Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 10And 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.
Just as Peter has instructed his fellow elders, so he instructs the younger people of God (implying that elders are to be somewhat older; 1 Timothy 3:4,6) to submit to their elders. There should be mutual submission, attitudes of humility (v5-6), among all believers, but God has devised distinct roles for His people to play as different parts of the Body of Christ. When elders lead by serving, it’s easy to submit to them. Peter closes out his letter in the context of suffering, reminding all believers to remain humble, cast their cares on God, and resist the devil. It’s the idea of taking your burdens to the cross and leaving them there. God not only is able to deal with them, but He wants to deal with them; He doesn’t do it begrudgingly. He is the ideal elder, the Good Shepherd, the Chief Shepherd, and “He cares for you” (v7). But He has also set a period for the testing of our faith, a time that requires us to “be alert and of sober mind” (v8). The devil is active in our world, and he wants nothing more than to make the people of God ineffective in their witness and service to God. He wants us to suffer and to give up in the process of suffering, but we must stand firm, knowing that God is sovereign over our suffering. He is gracious, having called us to eternal glory, and He will restore us, make us strong, firm, and steadfast in His perfect timing (v10).
3) V11-14 – 11To Him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. 12With 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. 13She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. 14Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
Peter wraps up his letter with doxology, praising God because of His eternal power. Peter acknowledges the assistance of Silas in writing about the grace of God. Likely the deliverer of this letter, Silas, who worked with Paul on his second missionary trip, was now helping Peter in ministry. Peter forwards greetings from the faithful believers in Babylon (likely the city of Rome), most notably John Mark, whom Peter refers to as his son. Mark partnered with Paul and Barnabas until deserting them; then he worked with Barnabas when Paul refused to take him back. Mark must have eventually been picked up by Peter in ministry work, though Paul later referred to Mark as a valuable helper in his ministry as well. Peter refers once more to the fact that all believers everywhere are “chosen” by God. This valuable teaching, the doctrine of election, is rightfully meant to encourage steadfastness in the faith. Finally, Peter asks his Asian audience to greet one another, maintaining peace and enjoying the peace that passes understanding in Christ.
Footnotes
Bible text from Gospelcom.net. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.