1 Peter 5:1-5

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 5:3

Verse 3 3Neither as being lords, or, as exercising dominion. The preposition κατὰ in Greek is taken, for the most part, in a bad sense: then Peter here condemns unreasonable exercise of power, as the case is with those who consider not themselves to be the ministers of Christ and his Church, but seek something higher. And he calls particular churches “lots,” (cleros ;) for as the whole body of the Church is the Lord’s heritage, so the churches, scattered through towns and villages, were as so... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 5:4

Verse 4 4When the chief Shepherd shall appear Except pastors retain this end in view, it can by no means be that they will in good earnest proceed in the course of their calling, but will, on the contrary, become often faint; for there are innumerable hindrances which are sufficient to discourage the most prudent. They have often to do with ungrateful men, from whom they receive an unworthy reward; long and great labors are often in vain; Satan sometimes prevails in his wicked devices. Lest,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 5:5

Verse 5 5Likewise, ye younger The word elder is put here in a sense different from what it had before; for it is necessary, when a contrast is made between them and the younger, that the two clauses should correspond. Then he refers to the elders in age, having before spoken of the office; and thus he comes from the particular to the general. And in short, he bids every one that is inferior in age to obey the counsels of the elders, and to be teachable and humble; for the age of youth is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 5:1

Expositions The elders which are among you I exhort. The Vatican and Alexandrine Manuscripts omit the article, and insert "therefore" (the Sinaitic gives both), reading, "Elders, therefore, among you I exhort." The solemn thoughts of the last chapter, the coming judgment, the approach of persecution, the necessity of perseverance in well-doing, suggest the exhortation; hence the "therefore." The context shows that the apostle is using the word "elder" ( πρεσβύτερος , presbyter)... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 5:1

(Artc. 1). "The elders therefore among you I exhort, who am a fellow-elder," etc. With the word "well-doing" in the last sentence of the preceding chapter ringing in our ears, we easily understand why the apostle thus proceeds to exhort men to their duties as office-bearers in the Christian Church. We notice, as here indicated— I. THE SPIRIT OF OFFICE - BEARERS IN THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH . The word "elders," according to Dean Alford, simply here means" leaders" in the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 5:1-4

I. WHAT HE IS WHO ADDRESSES THEM . 1. " Also an elder ." St. Peter is a beautiful example of that humility which should especially mark those who are called to high orifice in the Church, without which high office is a most dangerous temptation. He assumes no superiority; he does not remind them of the great trust committed to him by Christ ( Matthew 16:18 , Matthew 16:19 ); he does not even insist on his apostleship. He identifies himself with those whom he exhorts,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 5:1-4

The work of the pastoral office is to be fulfilled also by the private members of the Church, according to their respective gifts and opportunities. So there are practical lessons here for them, as well as for the minister, it is to them the words are addressed, "Exhort one another daily," and "Bishoping, lest any man fail of the grace of God." I. THE ELDERS OF THE CHURCH AND THEIR WORK . Church system is in itself worth nothing; its sole value consists in that it is a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 5:1-11

I. EXHORTATION TO ELDERS . 1. In what character Peter exhorts . "The elders therefore among you I exhort, who am a fellow-elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, who am also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed." The link of connection is "well-doing," which is here given in detail. The first who are exhorted to do well are the elders , to be understood officially. These elders are referred to as among them, i . e . in the Churches in the various... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 5:2

Feed the flock of God which is among you ; rather, tend , as a shepherd tends his flock. The verb ποιμάνατε is aorist, as if St. Peter wished to concentrate into one point of view all the labors of the ministerial life. He is echoing the word so solemnly addressed to himself by the risen Lord, "Feed my sheep ποίμαινε τὰ πρόβατά μου ." The word covers all the various duties of the pastoral office: "Pasce mente, pasce ore, pasce operc, pasce animi oratione, verbi exhortatione,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 5:2-4

The office of the Christian pastor—the bishop, the presbyter, the deacon—was something new in the history of mankind. The functions of the Christian pastor differ widely and radically from those of the heathen priest or philosopher; and they differ decidedly from those of the Jewish prophet or priest. The bonds uniting pastor and people together are more sacred, more tender, and more morally powerful than the official bonds which owe their efficacy merely to superior power or superior wisdom.... read more

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