1 Peter 5:5 Study Bible: Likewise, you younger ones, be subject to the elder. Yes, all of you clothe yourselves with humility, towards one another; for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

◄ 1 Peter 5:5 ►

Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

Study Bible

In the same way
This phrase connects the instructions given to the younger members of the church with the preceding exhortations to the elders. The Greek phrase "Ὁμοίως" (homoiōs) suggests a continuation of thought, emphasizing that the principles of humility and submission apply universally within the Christian community. It reflects a consistent theme in Peter's epistle, where mutual respect and order are vital for maintaining harmony and spiritual growth.

you who are younger
The Greek word "νεώτεροι" (neōteroi) refers to those who are younger in age or perhaps in faith. In the early church, age often correlated with spiritual maturity and leadership. This call to the younger members is a reminder of the importance of respecting and learning from those with more experience, fostering a culture of discipleship and growth.

submit yourselves to your elders
The term "submit" comes from the Greek "ὑποτάσσω" (hypotassō), meaning to arrange under or to subordinate. This submission is not about inferiority but about recognizing and honoring the God-given roles within the church. Elders, or "πρεσβύτεροι" (presbyteroi), were leaders responsible for guiding the congregation. This submission is an act of humility and trust in God's ordained structure.

And all of you
This phrase broadens the scope of the instruction to include every member of the community, emphasizing that the following exhortation is not limited to a specific group but is a universal Christian virtue.

clothe yourselves with humility
The imagery of clothing oneself with humility is powerful. The Greek word "ἐγκομβόομαι" (egkomboomai) suggests tying on a garment, indicating that humility should be an integral and visible part of a believer's life. Humility, or "ταπεινοφροσύνη" (tapeinophrosynē), is a foundational Christian virtue, reflecting Christ's own example and fostering unity and love within the body of Christ.

toward one another
This phrase underscores the relational aspect of humility. It is not merely an internal attitude but one that manifests in interactions with others. The Christian community is called to mutual respect and service, reflecting the love of Christ in their relationships.

because, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'
This quotation, likely drawn from Proverbs 3:34, highlights a divine principle. The Greek word for "opposes" is "ἀντιτάσσομαι" (antitassomai), meaning to set oneself against. Pride, or "ὑπερήφανος" (hyperēphanos), is a barrier to God's grace, while humility opens the door to His favor. This principle serves as both a warning and an encouragement, reminding believers of the spiritual reality that God honors those who walk in humility.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Peter
The apostle who authored this epistle, providing guidance and encouragement to the early Christian communities.

2. Younger Believers
Refers to those who are younger in age or perhaps in faith, instructed to submit to their elders.

3. Elders
Leaders within the church community, responsible for guiding and shepherding the flock.

4. God
The ultimate authority who opposes pride and bestows grace upon the humble.

5. Early Christian Communities
The recipients of Peter's letter, facing various trials and needing encouragement in their faith journey.

Teaching Points

The Importance of Submission
Submission is a key aspect of Christian living, reflecting a heart that is willing to learn and grow under the guidance of those more mature in faith.

Clothing Ourselves with Humility
Just as clothing is essential for daily life, humility should be an integral part of our spiritual attire, influencing our interactions with others.

The Danger of Pride
Pride sets us against God, as it elevates self above others and even above God’s authority. Recognizing and repenting of pride is crucial for spiritual growth.

Receiving God’s Grace
Humility opens the door to God’s grace, enabling us to receive His blessings and strength in our weaknesses.

Community and Accountability
Living in humility fosters a healthy community where believers support and hold each other accountable, reflecting Christ’s love.

Bible Study Questions

1. How can you practically submit to the elders or leaders in your church community today?

2. In what ways can you "clothe yourself with humility" in your daily interactions with others?

3. Reflect on a time when pride may have hindered your relationship with God or others. How can you address this moving forward?

4. How does understanding God’s opposition to pride and His grace to the humble influence your personal walk with Christ?

5. What steps can you take to foster a spirit of humility and submission within your family or small group?

Connections to Other Scriptures

James 4:6
This verse also emphasizes that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble, reinforcing the importance of humility.

Proverbs 3:34
The Old Testament foundation for the principle that God mocks the proud but shows favor to the humble.

Ephesians 5:21
Encourages mutual submission among believers, aligning with the call for humility in 1 Peter 5:5.

Philippians 2:3-4
Paul’s exhortation to consider others better than oneself, which complements Peter’s call to humility.

Hebrews 13:17
Instructs believers to obey their leaders, similar to the submission Peter advises.

Sermons

The Rightful Authority of Experience	J.R. Thomson	1 Peter 5:5
The Slave's Dress	A. Maclaren	1 Peter 5:5
The Slave's Girdle	Alexander Maclaren	1 Peter 5:5
Concluding Exhortations	R. Finlayson	1 Peter 5:1-11
True Office-Bearers in the Church (No. 2)	U.R. Thomas	1 Peter 5:2-5
Christian Humility	J.R. Thomson	1 Peter 5:5, 6
A Cure for Care	W. Halliday.	1 Peter 5:5-7
A Cure for Care	C. H. Spurgeon.	1 Peter 5:5-7
A Sermon to Ministers and Other Tried Believers	C. H. Spurgeon.	1 Peter 5:5-7
Be Clothed with Humility	James Bolton.	1 Peter 5:5-7
Bending Without Breaking	T. De Witt Talmage.	1 Peter 5:5-7
Cared For	M. Guy Pearse.	1 Peter 5:5-7
Cast Care on God	R. Walker.	1 Peter 5:5-7
Casting All Your Cares Upon Him	W. M. Statham, M. A.	1 Peter 5:5-7
Casting Care	The Weekly Pulpit	1 Peter 5:5-7
Christ the Care Bearer	J. L. Fyfe.	1 Peter 5:5-7
Christian Humility	S. Summers.	1 Peter 5:5-7
Christian Humility	G. T. Shedd, D. D.	1 Peter 5:5-7
Clothed with Humility	J. Vaughan, M. A.	1 Peter 5:5-7
Clothed with Humility	T. Brooks.	1 Peter 5:5-7
Confidence in God Lubricates Life	H. W. Beecher.	1 Peter 5:5-7
Counsels to the Younger	Thornley Smith.	1 Peter 5:5-7
Divine Care	D. Thomas, D. D.	1 Peter 5:5-7
Earthly and Heavenly Care	Bp. Huntington.	1 Peter 5:5-7
God not an Abstraction	E. White.	1 Peter 5:5-7
God's Care	Homilist	1 Peter 5:5-7
God's Care for Us	F. B. Meyer, B. A.	1 Peter 5:5-7
God's Regard for Individuals	A. Reed, B. A.	1 Peter 5:5-7
He Careth for You	H. E. Partridge.	1 Peter 5:5-7
He Careth for You	W. Birch.	1 Peter 5:5-7
How to Dispose of Care	W. Nevins, D. D.	1 Peter 5:5-7
Human Cares and the Divine Care	G. S. Barrett, B. A.	1 Peter 5:5-7
Humble Yourselves Under the Mighty Hand of God	J. Slade, M. A.	1 Peter 5:5-7
Humbling of the Spirit, in Humbling Circumstances		1 Peter 5:5-7
Humiliation of Soul Under God's Mighty Hand	James Sherman.	1 Peter 5:5-7
Humility	J. Jortin, D. D.	1 Peter 5:5-7
Humility	Bp. Phillips Brooks.	1 Peter 5:5-7
Humility	C. Moinet, M. A.	1 Peter 5:5-7
Humility a Beautiful Dress		1 Peter 5:5-7
Humility a Preparation for Heaven	Robert Herrick.	1 Peter 5:5-7
Humility and its Greatness	E. Garbett, M. A.	1 Peter 5:5-7
Humility Explained and Enforced	T. Gibson, M. A.	1 Peter 5:5-7
Humility Illustrated and Enforced	R. Hall, M. A.	1 Peter 5:5-7
Humility with the Fruits of It	D. Jennings.	1 Peter 5:5-7
Invented Worries	W. M. Statham, M. A.	1 Peter 5:5-7
Mutual Respect	F. D. Maurice, M. A.	1 Peter 5:5-7
Nursing Cares	H. W. Beecher.	1 Peter 5:5-7
Obj. 2		1 Peter 5:5-7
Obj. 3		1 Peter 5:5-7
Objection 1		1 Peter 5:5-7
On Humbling Ourselves Before God	C. H. Spurgeon.	1 Peter 5:5-7
On Humility	Robert Foote.	1 Peter 5:5-7
On Solicitude	John Main, D. D.	1 Peter 5:5-7
Self-Abasement and Divine Exaltation	S. Martin.	1 Peter 5:5-7
Seniors Should not be Over-Exacting	J. A. Bengel.	1 Peter 5:5-7
Submission to Divine Dispensation	S. J. Davis.	1 Peter 5:5-7
The Benefit of Afflictions	W. C. Wilson, M. A.	1 Peter 5:5-7
The Conduct Becoming Church Members Towards the Elders of the Church	C. New	1 Peter 5:5-7
The Course of Things Against Pride	A. K. H. Boyd, D. D.	1 Peter 5:5-7
The Divine Oversight		1 Peter 5:5-7
The Garment of Humility	Harvey Phillips, B. A.	1 Peter 5:5-7
The Loftiness of Humility	C. Kingsley, M. A.	1 Peter 5:5-7
The Lord Careth for You	M. Guy Pearse.	1 Peter 5:5-7
The Mighty Hand of God	J. Vaughan, M. A.	1 Peter 5:5-7
The Pride of Care	M. R. Vincent, D. D.	1 Peter 5:5-7
The Proud Abased and the Humble Exalted	J. Summerfield, M. A.	1 Peter 5:5-7
The Shadow Shortens	Dean Young.	1 Peter 5:5-7
The Wisdom of God in His Providence	Abp. Tillotson.	1 Peter 5:5-7
Trust in God	A. Bonar.	1 Peter 5:5-7
Two Kinds of Clothing	H. J. Wilmot-Buxton, M. A.	1 Peter 5:5-7
Vanity	D. Thomas, D. D.	1 Peter 5:5-7
What to Do with Care	C. M. Birrell.	1 Peter 5:5-7
Work Tends to Humility	Bp. Phillips Brooks.	1 Peter 5:5-7

People

Marcus, Mark, Peter, Silas, Silvanus

Places

Asia, Babylon, Bithynia, Cappadocia, Galatia, Pontus

Topics

Bind, Clothe, Clothed, Elder, Elders, Gird, Gives, Giveth, Grace, Hater, Humble, Humble-mindedness, Humility, Likewise, Low, Manner, Older, Ones, Opposed, Opposes, Pride, Proud, Ready, Resist, Resisteth, Resists, Ruled, Servants, Serve, Sets, Subject, Subjecting, Submit, Themselves, Towards, Yea, Yes, Younger, Yourselves

Dictionary of Bible Themes

1 Peter 5:5

     5145   clothing
     5714   men
     5727   old age, attitudes
     5746   youth
     5764   attitudes, negative to God
     5765   attitudes, to people
     5881   immaturity
     5903   maturity, physical
     5959   submission
     5961   superiority
     6671   grace, and Christian life
     6690   mercy, response to God's
     7943   ministry, in church
     8203   character
     8210   commitment, to God's people
     8305   meekness
     8308   modesty
     8356   unselfishness
     8456   obedience, to authorities
     8471   respect, for human beings
     8475   self-denial
     8786   opposition, to sin and evil
     8801   presumption
     8803   pride, evil of

1 Peter 5:1-5

7797 teaching

1 Peter 5:1-6

5959 submission

1 Peter 5:4-5

5115 Peter, preacher and teacher

1 Peter 5:5-6

     5450   poverty, spiritual
     5849   exaltation
     8276   humility

Library

Third Sunday after Trinity Humility, Trust, Watchfulness, Suffering
Text: 1 Peter 5, 5-11. 5 Likewise, ye younger, be subject unto the elder. Yea, all of you gird yourselves with humility, to serve one another: for God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; 7 casting all your anxiety upon him, because he careth for you. 8 Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 whom withstand stedfast …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

Sylvanus
'By Sylvanus, our faithful brother, as I account him, I have written unto you briefly.'--1 Peter v. 12 (R.V). I adopt the Revised Version because, in one or two small points, it brings out more clearly the Apostle's meaning. This Sylvanus is, beyond all reasonable doubt, the same man who is known to us in the Acts of the Apostles by the name of Silas. A double name was very common amongst Jews, whose avocations brought them into close connection with Gentiles. You will find other instances of it …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Ephesians, Peter,John

An Apostolic Testimony and Exhortation
'... I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.'--1 Peter v. 12. 'I have written briefly,' says Peter. But his letter, in comparison with the other epistles of the New Testament, is not remarkably short; in fact, is longer than many of them. He regards it as short when measured by the greatness of its theme. For all words which are devoted to witnessing to the glory of God revealed in Jesus Christ, must be narrow and insufficient as compared …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Ephesians, Peter,John

The Church in Babylon
'The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you ...'--1 Peter v. 13. We have drawn lessons in previous addresses from the former parts of the closing salutations of this letter. And now I turn to this one to see what it may yield us. The Revised Version omits 'the church,' and substitutes 'she'; explaining in a marginal note that there is a difference of opinion as to whether the sender of the letter is a community or an individual. All the old MSS., with one weighty exception, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Ephesians, Peter,John

Marcus, My Son
'... So doth Marcus, my son.'--1 Peter v. 13. The outlines of Mark's life, so far as recorded in Scripture, are familiar. He was the son of Mary, a woman of some wealth and position, as is implied by the fact that her house was large enough to accommodate the 'many' who were gathered together to pray for Peter's release. He was a relative, probably a cousin (Col. iv. 10, Revised Version), of Barnabas, and possibly, like him, a native of Cyprus. The designation of him by Peter as 'my son' naturally …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Ephesians, Peter,John

The Slave's Girdle
'... Be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.'--1 Peter v. 5. The Apostle uses here an expression of a remarkable kind, and which never occurs again in Scripture. The word rendered in the Authorised Version 'be clothed,' or better in the Revised Version, 'gird yourselves with,' really implies a little more than either of those renderings suggests. It describes a kind of garment as well as the act of putting it on, and the sort of garment which it describes …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Ephesians, Peter,John

A New Year's Benediction
I have this morning taken this text as a new year's blessing. You are aware that a minister of the Church of England always supplies me with the motto for the new year. He prays much before he selects the text, and I know that it is his prayer for you all to-day. He constantly favors me with this motto, and I always think it my duty to preach from it, and then desire my people to remember it through the year as a staff of support in their time of trouble, as some sweet morsel, a wafer made with honey, …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 6: 1860

30TH DAY. A Crown of Life.
"He is Faithful that Promised." "When the Chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away."--1 PETER v. 4. A Crown of Life. What! is the beggar to be "raised from the dunghill, set among princes, and made to inherit a throne of glory?" is dust and ashes, a puny rebel, a guilty traitor, to be pitied, pardoned, loved, exalted from the depths of despair, raised to the heights of Heaven--gifted with kingly honour--royally fed--royally clothed--royally attended--and, …
John Ross Macduff—The Faithful Promiser

The Millennium in Relation to Satan.
In our last chapter we saw that Christ descends from Heaven to find an organized effort to prevent him coming back to the earth. Under the leadership of Anti-christ, the kings of the earth with their armies assemble together at Armageddon with the express purpose of making war upon the Lamb (Rev. 17:14). It is in connection with this impious revolt that we read, "He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh" (Ps. 2:4), laugh at their folly and madness, "The Lord shall have them in derision." As well …
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return

A Preliminary Discourse to Catechising
'If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled.' - Col 1:23. Intending next Lord's day to enter upon the work of catechising, it will not be amiss to give you a preliminary discourse, to show you how needful it is for Christians to be well instructed in the grounds of religion. If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled.' I. It is the duty of Christians to be settled in the doctrine of faith. II. The best way for Christians to be settled is to be well grounded. I. It is the duty of Christians …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Royal Marriage Feast.
PART I.--THE WEDDING GUESTS. "And Jesus answered, and spake unto them again by parables, and said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, and sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. But they made light of …
William Arnot—The Parables of Our Lord

Consolations against Impatience in Sickness.
If in thy sickness by extremity of pain thou be driven to impatience, meditate-- 1. That thy sins have deserved the pains of hell; therefore thou mayest with greater patience endure these fatherly corrections. 2. That these are the scourges of thy heavenly Father, and the rod is in his hand. If thou didst suffer with reverence, being a child, the corrections of thy earthly parents, how much rather shouldst thou now subject thyself, being the child of God, to the chastisement of thy heavenly Father, …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Exhortations to Christians as they are Children of God
1 There is a bill of indictment against those who declare to the world they are not the children of God: all profane persons. These have damnation written upon their forehead. Scoffers at religion. It were blasphemy to call these the children of God. Will a true child jeer at his Father's picture? Drunkards, who drown reason and stupefy conscience. These declare their sin as Sodom. They are children indeed, but cursed children' (2 Peter 2:14). 2 Exhortation, which consists of two branches. (i) Let …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Some Other Writers of the New Testament
[Illustration: (drop cap L) Ancient engraving of man reading scroll] Let us now look at the rest of the books which make up the New Testament. In the days when Paul preached at Athens, the old capital of Greece, much of the ancient splendour and power of the Greek people had passed away, for the Romans had conquered their country, and they were no longer a free nation. Yet, although the Greeks had been forced to yield to Rome, their conquerors knew that the Grecian scholars and artists were far …
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making

Its Source
Let us here review, briefly, the ground which we have already covered. We have seen, first, that "to justify" means to pronounce righteous. It is not a Divine work, but a Divine verdict, the sentence of the Supreme Court, declaring that the one justified stands perfectly conformed to all the requirements of the law. Justification assures the believer that the Judge of all the earth is for him, and not against him: that justice itself is on his side. Second, we dwelt upon the great and seemingly insoluable …
Arthur W. Pink—The Doctrine of Justification

The Scriptures
apo blefouV ta iera grammata oidaV Many Allusions to Scripture In the year 1729,' wrote John Wesley, I began not only to read but to study the Bible.' The results of that devoted study of the Word of God are to be seen in every page that he wrote. Both the brothers must have had a most profound, exact, and extensive acquaintance with the Scriptures. Indeed, it is only a close study of the Bible on our own part that can reveal to us the extent of their intimacy with it. There can hardly be a single …
Charles H. Kelly—The Hymns of Methodism in their Literary Relations

How the Gospels came to be Written
[Illustration: (drop cap B) Early Christian Lamp] But how did the story of the Saviour's life on earth come to be written? We have seen that many years passed before any one thought of writing it down at all. The men and women who had really seen Him, who had listened to His voice, looked into His face, and who knew that He had conquered death and sin for evermore, could not sit down to write, for their hearts were all on fire to speak. But as the years passed, the number of those who had seen Christ …
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making

Some Gospel Truths Opened, According to the Scriptures; Or, the Divine and Human Nature of Christ Jesus;
HIS COMING INTO THE WORLD; HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, DEATH, RESURRECTION, ASCENSION, INTERCESSION, AND SECOND COMING TO JUDGMENT, PLAINLY DEMONSTRATED AND PROVED. AND ALSO, Answers to several Questions, with profitable Directions to stand fast in the Doctrine of Jesus the Son of MARY, against those blustering Storms of the Devil's Temptations, which do at this Day, like so many Scorpions, break loose from the bottomless Pit, to bite and torment those that have not tasted the Vertue of Jesus, by the Revelation …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

In the Dungeon of Giant Discourager
IN THE DUNGEON OF GIANT DISCOURAGER I feel very discouraged at times, and sometimes the spells of discouragement hang on for a long while. I wonder if I am sanctified. From unaccountable sources, bad feelings of every description depress my soul, and along with these bad feelings come doubts that cast gloom over me. I have prayed and prayed that these feelings of discouragement might leave me; but they have not done so. I despair of prayer bringing me the help I need. Really, I know not what to do. …
Robert Lee Berry—Adventures in the Land of Canaan

The Poor in Spirit are Enriched with a Kingdom
Theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3 Here is high preferment for the saints. They shall be advanced to a kingdom. There are some who, aspiring after earthly greatness, talk of a temporal reign here, but then God's church on earth would not be militant but triumphant. But sure it is the saints shall reign in a glorious manner: Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.' A kingdom is held the acme and top of all worldly felicity, and this honour have all the saints'; so says our Saviour, Theirs is the …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

The Providence of God
Q-11: WHAT ARE GOD'S WORKS OF PROVIDENCE? A: God's works of providence are the acts of his most holy, wise, and powerful government of his creatures, and of their actions. Of the work of God's providence Christ says, My Father worketh hitherto and I work.' John 5:17. God has rested from the works of creation, he does not create any new species of things. He rested from all his works;' Gen 2:2; and therefore it must needs be meant of his works of providence: My Father worketh and I work.' His kingdom …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

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