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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE FIRST LETTER OF PETER

CHAPTER FIVE:
“HUMBLE SHEPHERDS TRAINED AND STEADFAST”

[“Shepherds in Training”]
Key Word: Shepherds
Theme Verse: 1

1 Peter 5:1-5 – Elders, Shepherd Flock as Examples

1PE5:1 Therefore, I am encouraging the elders among you as a fellow elder 242 – and a witness of the Christ’s sufferings, 243 also a sharer in the Glory that shall be revealed 244 –

242	I am encouraging the elders among you as a fellow elder: Peter has indirectly referred to these in previous verses. On the subject of overseers and elders see the work Nazarene Community in Nazarene Commentary 2000©. [1 Timothy 3:1; Titus 1:5; Acts 20:28]

243	A witness of the Christ’s sufferings: Peter was there during that long night.

244	A sharer in the Glory that shall be revealed: Or, KJV: glory that shall be revealed; TCN: is to be revealed. Peter does not know “the day and hour” [Matthew 24:36], nor even the season. [Acts 1:7] He has used a form of the word APOCALYPSIS several times. [Romans 8:18]

1PE5:2 shepherd the flock of The God 245 – not just out of necessity, but willingly. 246 Also, [shepherd the flock] not for disgraceful gain, but rather by your own choice. 247

245	Shepherd the flock of The God: Or, feed the flock, tend the flock. Peter has not forgotten the words of the Master at John 21:16. [Acts 20:28]

246	Not just out of necessity, but willingly: Or, KJV: not by constraint, but willingly; GDS: not as though it were forced upon you but of your own free will. The elder must be an example of the spirit of John 10:11 and the role model of Jesus. [1 John 3:16] Compare notes on Hebrews 13:7, 17.

247

Not for disgraceful gain, but rather by your own choice: Or, KJV: not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; WMS: not from the motive of personal profit but freely. Jesus taught that “the worker deserves his wages [food].” [Matthew 10:10; Luke 9:3; 10:7] On the matter of financial support see Paul’s arguments in 1 Corinthians chapter 9 where he quotes the Nazarene’s words above. Though “double honor” might be given to hard-working elders, the role models of Jesus and Paul indicated this was merely food, drink, and cover. [Galatians 6:6; 1 Timothy 5:17] However, it is clear that the first apostates began to take advantage of this. [1 Timothy 6:3-5]

1PE5:3 Also, [shepherd the flock] not as lording it over [your] lot, 248 but rather becoming examples to the flock. 249

248

Not as lording it over [your] lot: Or, KJV: neither as being lords over God’s heritage; TCN: not as lords of your charges. Jesus had warned against such “lording.” [Matthew 20:25, 26; 23:8-12] The interesting thing in this phrase is that “lot” comes from the Greek CLERON from which “clergy” and “cleric” is drawn. So that here it is the flock who are the “clergy.” [Acts 20:28] Though early Christianity started this way, it was not long before the Apostate “sat down in God’s Temple claiming to be a god.” [2 Thessalonians 2:3-9] By the Dark Ages the “clergy” had changed to those who did “lord it over the flock” and took titles like Reverend, Father, Lord, Vice-God. Corrupt men are characterized by either their desire for “dishonest gain” or “honor.” It is worthy of note that “extortion” may involve the misuse of power to materially gain from the use of authority. [1 Corinthians 5:11] To this day virtually every sect has “clergy” who live better than the flock in general.

249	Examples to the flock: Or, models. The Greek is TYPOI or “types.” [Philippians 3:17; Hebrews 13:17] Elders have no great example than Jesus and Paul. [1 Corinthians 11:1]

1PE5:4 So when the Chief Shepherd is made visible, 250 you will carry off for yourselves the unfading crown of glory. 251

250	When the Chief Shepherd is made visible: Or, appear, become manifest. Compare Daniel 12:1 in the JPS Tanakh. [Matthew 24:30] Christ is the Great Shepherd in Hebrews 13:20. [Hebrews 9:28; 1 John 2:28]

251	You will carry off for yourselves the unfading crown of glory: Or, receive; eternal crown of glory. [1 Corinthians 9:25; 2 Timothy 4:8] Peter has used similar language in 1 Peter 1:4.

1PE5:5 Likewise, you younger men remain in subjection to the elders. 252 Also, all of you, tie lowliness of mind on yourselves as though by tight knots, 253 because “The God opposes those superior appearing persons, 254 but to the lowly person He continues to give unmerited favor.” [Proverbs 3:24 LXX]

252	You younger men remain in subjection to the elders: Or, MOF: you younger men must also submit to the presbyters; TCN: show deference to the older. Compare also 1 Timothy 5:1 and Titus 2:6

253

Tie lowliness of mind on yourselves as though by tight knots: Or, KJV: be clothed with humility; MOF: put on the apron of humility; NEB: wrap yourselves in the garment of humility; TCN: put on the badge of humility in mutual service. [Isaiah 57:15] The apostles actually struggled with the question of who was the greatest among them. Jesus counsels them to become “lesser ones” [or, least], and now Peter gives the same entreaties.

254	God opposes those superior appearing persons: Or, proud, haughty, arrogant. Peter quotes Proverbs 3:24.

1 Peter 5:6-11 – Humility and a Solid Stance

1PE5:6 Therefore, continue to make yourselves lowly 255 under the mighty hand of The God, so that all of you may be exalted in [the] appointed time. 256

255	Continue to make yourselves lowly: Or, humble yourselves.

256	So that all of you may be exalted in [the] appointed time: Or, due time. This would surely include that exaltation to glory at the revelation and parousia of Christ. See the early notes on revelation.

1PE5:7 Throw all of your anxiety on Him 257 [Psalm 55:22] because He cares about all of you. 258

257	Throw all of your anxiety on Him: Or, KJV: cast all your care; MOF: let all your anxieties fall upon him; WMS: every worry; KNX: burden of all your anxiety. Peter paraphrases Psalm 55:22. The Nazarene taught not to let tomorrow’s anxiety become a burden. [Matthew 6:33, 34]

258	Because He cares about all of you: Or, PME: you are his personal concern; MOF: his greatest interest is in you. This is an echo of the Nazarene at Matthew 6:26, 32

1PE5:8 Remain sober. 259 Remain awake. 260 Accusing you at court, your Adversary the Slanderer 261 is walking about like a roaring lion 262 [Psalm 22:13] seeking to swallow you down. 263

259	Remain sober: Or, be calm, exercise self-control. Peter has encouraged this before. [1 Peter 1:13]

260	Remain awake: Or, be watchful, vigilant, on the alert. Could Peter write this without remembering Matthew 26:40, 41, 45? [Luke 22:46]

261	Accusing you at court, your Adversary the Slanderer: Or, your plaintiff, slanderous adversary. The Greek points to a prosecutor bring a charge in court and lying in the process. Compare Job 2:1ff with Revelation 12:10.

262	Walking about like a roaring lion: Or, prowling, roaming. Peter may allude Psalm 22:13 and Messiah’s own experience.

263	Seeking to swallow you down: Or, devour. Peter must remember Luke 22:31.

1PE5:9 So, resist him, solid in the Faith, 264 knowing your spiritual community continues to suffer in the world order of humanity. 265

264	Resist him, solid in the Faith: Or, MOF: keep your foothold in the faith. Compare Ephesians 6:11; James 4:7.

265	Knowing your spiritual community continues to suffer in the world order of humanity: Or, KJV: knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world; BAS: same troubles; GDS: brotherhood; NEB: brother Christians. See notes on 1 Peter 2:17.

1PE5:10 However, having suffered yourselves for a brief period, The God of every unmerited favor – the One who invited all of you to His endless Glory incorporate in Christ 266 – He will train all of you, 267 He will fix all of you firmly, 268 He will make all of you strong. 269

266	Invited all of you to His endless Glory incorporate in Christ: Or, KJV: called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus; MOF: to share in his eternal glory. [1 Thessalonians 2:12]

267	He will train all of you: Or, make you perfect, give you mastery, restore, adjust. The Greek is KATARTISEI [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #2675, to complete thoroughly]. The life of the Saint is a process of perfecting and training.

268	He will fix all of you firmly: Or, steadfast, establish, steadiness. [2 Thessalonians 2:17]

269	He will make all of you strong: Or, NEB: strengthen you on a firm foundation. [Ephesians 6:10]

1PE5:11 To [The God] be the Dominion throughout all future periods of time. 270 Amen.

270	To [The God] be the Dominion throughout all future periods of time: Or, glory and dominion, the power forever. [Jude 25]

1 Peter 5:12-14 – Why this Letter Was Written

1PE5:12 By means of Silvanus 271 – a faithful brother by my own reckoning – I wrote you in a few words to encourage 272 and testify regarding the truly unmerited favor of The God in which all of you now stand.

271

By means of Silvanus: Possibly the same Silas who traveled with Paul. Likely Silvanus was the recorder of a dictated message, or in some other way helped Peter write the epistle. This would explain the differences between 1 and 2 Peter. Compare 2 Corinthians 1:19; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1.

272	I wrote you in a few words to encourage: Or, briefly, few lines, short letter. [Hebrews 13:22]

1PE5:13 She in Babylon 273 – jointly invited like all of you – greets all of you. Also Mark my son. 274

273	She in Babylon: Or, KJV: the church that is in Babylon. Catholic scholars understand this to be Rome. [NJB ftn] Others take it literally to mean Babylon.

274

Also Mark my son: Likely the same Mark to whom Paul mentions. [Acts 12:12, 25; 15:37, 39; Colossians 4:10; 2 Timothy 4:11; Philemon 24] Some scholars believe Mark was a secretary of Peter. Thus the Gospel by the name of Mark was really that of Peter. By “my son” it would seem Peter had something to do with the spiritual birth of Mark. Some think Mark is the young man of Mark 14:51, 52.

1PE5:14 All of you greet one another with the kiss of compassionate affection. 275 Peace to all of you who are in union with Christ. 276 [[Amen.]]

275	All of you greet one another with the kiss of compassionate affection: Or, a kiss of charity, kiss of fellowship. [Romans 16:16; Acts 20:37]

276	Peace to all of you who are in union with Christ: Or, in, incorporate in.

Review Questions on Chapter Five