1 Peter 5:1 Study Bible: Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and who will also share in the glory that will be revealed.

◄ 1 Peter 5:1 ►

As a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings, and a partaker of the glory to be revealed, I appeal to the elders among you:

Study Bible

As a fellow elder,

Peter addresses the church leaders as one who shares their pastoral calling and accountability before God. Though he was an apostle chosen by Christ, he does not use his authority to distance himself from them. The churches were ordinarily cared for by a plurality of elders, men entrusted with guarding sound doctrine, directing the congregation, and tending believers through hardship.

Act 20:17 From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders…
Tit 1:5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you would…
Jas 5:14 Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders…

a witness of Christ’s sufferings,

Peter had walked with Jesus throughout His earthly ministry and had seen the sorrow, rejection, arrest, and humiliation that led to the cross. His earlier failure in denying the Lord had also shown him the seriousness of fear and the restoring grace of Christ. The sufferings of Jesus accomplished redemption, and they remain the pattern for believers who endure injustice while entrusting themselves to God.

Act 10:39-41 We are witnesses of all that He did,…
Jhn 19:35 The one who saw it has testified to this, and his testimony……
Luk 24:48 You are witnesses of these things.

and a partaker of the glory to be revealed,

Peter looks beyond present affliction to the certain return of Christ, when His glory will be openly displayed. All who belong to Christ will share in that glory, having been united with Him in both suffering and salvation. The promise gives elders courage to serve faithfully when ministry brings opposition, weariness, or personal cost.

Rom 8:17-18 And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God…
1Pe 4:13 But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ,…
Col 3:4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then……

I appeal to the elders among you:

Peter urges these shepherds as a fellow servant who knows the weight of their responsibility. Their leadership would be especially necessary for congregations facing hostility and pressure to compromise. The following instructions call them to care for God’s people in the manner of the Chief Shepherd, whose authority is expressed through sacrificial service.

Act 20:28 Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock…
1Th 5:12-13 But we ask you, brothers, to acknowledge…
Heb 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over…

Persons / Places / Events

1. Peter
The author of the letter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, who identifies himself as a fellow elder and a witness to Christ's sufferings.

2. Elders
Leaders within the early Christian communities to whom Peter is addressing his exhortation.

3. Christ’s Sufferings
Refers to the events of Jesus' passion, crucifixion, and the trials He endured, which Peter witnessed.

4. Glory to be Revealed
The future hope and promise of eternal glory with Christ, which Peter and all believers anticipate.

5. Early Christian Communities
The recipients of Peter's letter, likely scattered across Asia Minor, facing various trials and persecutions.

Teaching Points

Leadership in Humility
Peter identifies himself as a "fellow elder," emphasizing humility and equality among church leaders. Leaders today should serve with humility, recognizing their shared humanity and dependence on Christ.

Witnessing Christ’s Sufferings
As Peter witnessed Christ's sufferings, leaders are called to bear witness to the gospel, even in the face of trials. This involves a commitment to truth and perseverance.

Hope in Future Glory
The promise of future glory should motivate and sustain leaders and believers through present challenges. This hope is a source of strength and encouragement.

Elders’ Responsibility
Elders are tasked with shepherding the flock, which involves teaching, guiding, and protecting the community of believers. This responsibility requires diligence and faithfulness.

Community and Accountability
The appeal to elders highlights the importance of community and accountability within the church. Leaders should work together, supporting and holding each other accountable in their roles.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does Peter’s identification as a "fellow elder" influence our understanding of leadership within the church?

2. In what ways can witnessing Christ’s sufferings inspire and strengthen us in our own trials?

3. How does the promise of "the glory to be revealed" impact our daily lives and decisions as believers?

4. What are some practical ways elders can fulfill their responsibilities in shepherding the church today?

5. How can we, as members of the church, support and hold our leaders accountable in their roles?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Acts 2
Peter's role as a leader and preacher in the early church, demonstrating his authority and experience as an elder.

John 21
Jesus' reinstatement of Peter, emphasizing his pastoral role and responsibility to "feed my sheep."

Hebrews 13
The role and responsibilities of church leaders, paralleling Peter's exhortation to the elders.

1 Timothy 3
Qualifications for church leaders, providing a broader context for understanding the role of elders.

Romans 8
The future glory that believers will share with Christ, connecting to the "glory to be revealed."

Sermons

Third Sunday After Trinity Humility, Trust, Watchfulness, Suffering	Martin Luther	1 Peter 5:1
True Office-Bearers in the Church	U.R. Thomas	1 Peter 5:1
A Witness and a Partaker	C. H. Spurgeon.	1 Peter 5:1-4
Address to the Young Elders	Dean Vaughan.	1 Peter 5:1-4
Elders Exhorted	John Rogers.	1 Peter 5:1-4
Feed the Sheep	Emily S. Holt.	1 Peter 5:1-4
God's Servants -- Their Ruling Motive	John Ruskin.	1 Peter 5:1-4
Gold a Contemptible Motive for Service	C. Kingsley.	1 Peter 5:1-4
Ministerial Authority	John Rogers.	1 Peter 5:1-4
Ministerial Oversight	John Rogers.	1 Peter 5:1-4
Not Lords		1 Peter 5:1-4
Partaking as Well as Preaching	Ralph Venning.	1 Peter 5:1-4
Peter Exhorting the Elders	J. J. S. Bird, B. A.	1 Peter 5:1-4
Power of Example		1 Peter 5:1-4
The Chief Shepherd	J. Stratten.	1 Peter 5:1-4
The Chief Shepherd's Appearance	G. Clayton.	1 Peter 5:1-4
The Conduct Becoming the Elders of the Church	C. New	1 Peter 5:1-4
The Discharge of the Ministry	Abp. Leighton.	1 Peter 5:1-4
The Faithful Minister	J. A. James.	1 Peter 5:1-4
The Office, Spirit, and Reward of a Faithful Ministry	J. Packard, D. D.	1 Peter 5:1-4
Too Much Money for a Clergyman		1 Peter 5:1-4
True Office Bearers in the Church	U. R. Thomas.	1 Peter 5:1-4
Concluding Exhortations	R. Finlayson	1 Peter 5:1-11

People

Marcus, Mark, Peter, Silas, Silvanus

Places

Asia, Babylon, Bithynia, Cappadocia, Galatia, Pontus

Topics

Appeal, Chief, Christ, Christ's, Church, Death, Elder, Elders, Exhort, Eye-witness, Fellow, Fellow-elder, Glory, Myself, Partaker, Request, Revealed, Rulers, Serious, Share, Sharer, Sufferings, Witness

Dictionary of Bible Themes

1 Peter 5:1

     2422   gospel, confirmation
     2427   gospel, transmission
     4945   history
     5624   witnesses, to Christ
     6214   participation, in Christ
     6730   reinstatement
     7025   church, unity
     7923   fellowship, in gospel
     8105   assurance, basis of
     9414   heaven, community of redeemed

1 Peter 5:1-2

5727 old age, attitudes
5942 security

1 Peter 5:1-3

     4065   orderliness
     5700   headship
     7026   church, leadership
     7708   apostles, function
     8210   commitment, to God's people
     8313   nurture

1 Peter 5:1-4

7720 elders, in the church
7748 overseers

1 Peter 5:1-5

7797 teaching

1 Peter 5:1-6

5959 submission

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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