1 Peter 5:1

7. Exhortations to the elders, and also to the Church, 1 Peter 5:1-9.

1. The elders Officially so, having pastoral charge in the local churches. In times of persecution, much depended on their prudence and fidelity. Tregelles and Alford insert here a therefore.

Also an elder Better, a fellow elder, holding a common office with them.

Witness To testify to the sufferings of Christ, as in 1 Peter 4:1. The word does not mean eye-witness, as Alford puts it, although St. Peter doubtless did see his suffering Lord on the cross. Luke 23:49.

A partaker of the glory By virtue of the condition of his joint-heirship with Christ, “if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” Romans 8:17.

Be revealed In heaven. Thus solemnly and tenderly does the apostle prepare the way for his exhortation.