Feed the Flock
1 Pet 5:1 The elders which 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:
Peter who was the first to call Jesus the Christ, the beloved elder of the church. He who has witnessed first hand the sufferings of Christ and has felt the shame of denying him, now restored and commissioned, speaks with urgency to the elders in the church.
1 Pet 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
If you dislike teaching the word, allow another to teach. No one enjoys the teaching if the teacher is not excited about the word. It's not just a living, the focus is not to be on the financial reward. The Lord will be the reward, he will provide.
1 Pet 5:3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
The Pharisees and the legaliizers keep the flock in bondage, often feeding them poorly, whipping and driving them. A good shepherd leads his flock, knowing what is good for them to eat and he keeps them safe from the enemies of God.
The first duty of an elder and shepherd is to feed the flock. No, that doesn't mean potlucks and dinners, but rather feeding the milk of the word. For so was Peter called, chosen by Jesus, that he would feed the sheep. Jesus made a point to speak to Peter personally of this responsibility. Peter having not yet the Holy Spirit was unsure of his calling. The Lord addressed him by his natural name, Simon, rather then his spiritual name, Peter, the rock.
John 21:15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
John 21:16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
John 21:17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
1 Pet 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
Jesus wore a crown of thorns, suffering for our troubled minds. His blood heals our mind. He will come in glory and reward those who serve him faithfully with crowns. Those who faithfully preach the word will receive a crown of glory. The word is glorious, the mind of God, his letter to only be understood by His Spiritual children.
1 Cor 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
It is an honor to share and hear the word. God places much value in the preaching of His word, even to giving a crown to the faithful. His gospel word is the power of God, bringing new children to God's family. The elders are responsible to feed them so they will mature in faith.
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
1Pet 5:5 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.
1Pet 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
Be clothed with humility. A humble person is submissive to authority and is submissive to one another, not seeking self glory, but as a servant of our Lord.
Resisting the devil
1 Pet 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Unload your cares and problems, we were not meant to carry them alone. Jesus is yoked with you, give him ALL your care, not some, but all.
1 Pet 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
He must be given permission to devour you, let him starve, don't give any part of yourself to him.
A very important warning from Peter. One way satan comes to us is in our thoughts and words. Sometimes we speak words that are harmful, even when we are unaware. One example is Peter with Jesus. Jesus had just complemented Peter because he had received a thought and spoken a revelation from God:
Mat 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of
the living God.
Mat 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon
Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father
which is in heaven.
The very next thought in his head came from satan and Jesus rebuked him.
Mat 16:23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me:
When we are not speaking the word of God, BEWARE.
...because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
A word from a clouded mind, may well be from satan to come as a fiery dart into another's heart. BE SOBER, watch in your spirit, satan is sneaky.
Sometimes he brings afflictions to our bodies, yet I see the most harm in our minds. The thoughts we speak, the fear, the negative thoughts about yourself or another, the more severe things as depression and suicide, BE SOBER, it is the devil.
1 Pet 5:9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
We are commanded to resist, not lay down and give up. The same afflictions come to your brothers and sisters. How about comforting them in the spirit?
Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual,
restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou
also be tempted.
Gal 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
For our greatest strength is the power of God through ministry to others. Sometimes being unconnected is the hardest burden, not having opportunities to help others in word or deed. Yet the greatest help we have is the Lord, Pray, pray for others, this moves the hand of God. Prayer is a most important ministry.
1 Pet 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
Enduring patiently performs a great work in us, making us more perfect in our Lord. He will build you up, he will strengthen you, he will settle you in giving you peace and a sound mind.
1 Pet 5:11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Let us all give him the glory, for great and mighty is the Lord. He loves us praise God!
Ending with a Kiss
1 Pet 5:12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.
Silvanus and Timothy were ministers with Paul. Probably he was also called Silas.
2 Cor 1:18 But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.
2 Cor 1:19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea.
2 Cor 1:20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.
2 Cor 1:21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
2 Cor 1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
1 Pet 5:13 The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.
The elect chosen of God, even in Babylon, greet you. It is interesting to see that Peter has taken in Mark as his son. Paul had sons, close disciples, but Mark he rejected. In Acts, Paul and Barnabas split because of Mark. Some think that Peter was the main source for Mark's gospel. In truth the source was the Holy Spirit.
1 Pet 5:14 Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Here is the Eastern greeting of a kiss. A kiss was a sign of love in the Lord.
Paul in many Epistles, used the exhortation to kiss.
Rom 16:16 Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.
1 Cor 16:20 All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss.
2 Cor 13:12 Greet one another with an holy kiss.
Is this just for the cute ones?
1 Th 5:26 Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.
No, lol, all the brethren. This is a friendly way to end the epistle, but please note, don't kiss everyone, save that for close family. This is not accepted as normal behaviour in our churches.
Peace to all who are in Christ Jesus, he is our peace.
1Peter Chapters
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1Peter 5
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