Elders charged
1 Peter 5:1–4FocusWilling and exemplary oversight
Connection to the wholePeter instructs elders to feed the flock through willing service and example rather than compulsion, gain, or domination.
interpretation 1 Peter 5:10
KJVBut the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
Read it in context
Final Exhortations and Benediction
Start reading at 1 Peter 5:1 (1 Peter 5:1 to 1 Peter 5:14).
The entire chapter 5 forms a coherent unit of final instructions, warnings, and a concluding prayer/benediction, making verse 1 an appropriate starting point for the discourse unit.
- 5:1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
- 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
- 5:3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
- 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
- 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
- 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
- 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
- 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
- 5:9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
- 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
- 5:11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
- 5:12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.
- 5:13 The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.
- 5:14 Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Peter the apostle is the named author. Silvanus is associated with the letter's delivery or composition in the closing statement; his precise role is not fully explained. Biblical references: 1 Peter 1:1; 1 Peter 5:12. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (1 Peter 5:1–5:14): Peter first addresses elders as a fellow elder, then younger members and the whole community, ending with greetings. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? The elect strangers scattered through Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia: Christian communities facing suffering in Asia Minor. Biblical references: 1 Peter 1:1; 1 Peter 4:12. stated in the text
What
- What is the main event or theme of 1 Peter 5:10? The main theme is God's divine work of perfecting, establishing, strengthening, and settling believers after they have suffered for a while, ultimately calling them to His eternal glory through Christ Jesus.
- What is God revealing in 1 Peter 5:10? God is revealing His character as "the God of all grace," His sovereign purpose in calling believers to eternal glory, and His active, sustaining power to mature and secure them through periods of suffering.
- What is the literary style of 1 Peter 5:10? This verse functions as a prayer or a benediction, offering a blessing and expressing a desire for God's work in the lives of the recipients.
When
- When was it written? The letter was written between approximately A.D. 62 and 64. book background
- When does the event (God's work) take place? God's work of perfecting, establishing, strengthening, and settling believers takes place after they have suffered "a while" in this life, leading them to His eternal glory. This is an ongoing process that culminates in eternity.
Where
- Where did it happen (the events described)? The suffering and God's work described in the verse are experienced by believers wherever they are located, specifically those scattered throughout Asia Minor, to whom the letter was addressed. stated in the text
- Where was the author located? The author, Peter, was located in Rome, which he refers to as Babylon. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Final Exhortations and Benediction (1 Peter 5:1 to 1 Peter 5:14). Start reading at 1 Peter 5:1. The entire chapter 5 forms a coherent unit of final instructions, warnings, and a concluding prayer/benediction, making verse 1 an appropriate starting point for the discourse unit.
How
- How does it fit the broader context? This verse serves as a concluding prayer and benediction following Peter's exhortations to elders and younger believers, calls for humility, vigilance against the devil, and steadfastness in suffering. It provides assurance of God's ultimate care and restoration amidst their trials.
- How does it point to Christ? The verse explicitly states that God has called believers "unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus." Christ is the essential mediator and means through whom God's grace is extended, and through whom believers are brought into their eternal inheritance and sustained in their journey. interpretation
- How do I apply it today? Believers today can find profound comfort and assurance in God's promise to sustain them through suffering. This verse encourages endurance, humility, and trust in God's sovereign grace, knowing that He will perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle them for His eternal glory, even after temporary afflictions. interpretation
Cited: 1 Peter 5:10, 1 Peter 5:1, 1 Peter 5:12, 1 Peter 5:13, 1 Peter 1:1
Who wrote it, and how we know
Peter the apostle
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe letter names Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, and mentions Silvanus as the one who wrote it.
1 Peter 1:11 Peter 5:12
Early traditionUniform early tradition names Peter.
What is debatedSome critical scholars question the polished Greek, though the letter itself credits Silvanus.
Related passages
- the God Exod 34:6-7 Ps 86:5,15 Mic 7:18-19 Rom 5:20-21 Rom 15:5,13 2 Cor 13:11 Heb 13:20
- who 1 Pet 1:15 Rom 8:28-30 Rom 9:11,24 1 Cor 1:9 1 Thess 2:12 2 Thess 2:14 1 Tim 6:12 2 Tim 1:9
- eternal 2 Cor 4:17 2 Tim 2:10 Heb 9:15 1 John 2:25
- after 1 Pet 1:6-7 2 Cor 4:17
- make 2 Cor 13:11 2 Thess 2:17 Heb 13:21 Jude 1:24
- stablish Col 2:7 2 Thess 2:17 2 Thess 3:3
- strengthen Ps 138:7 Zech 10:6,12 Luke 22:32 Phil 4:13 Col 1:22-23
- settle 1 Pet 4:11
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
1 Peter 5
Peter addresses scattered believers in the regions named in the opening. Their hope in Jesus' resurrection is joined to holiness, honourable conduct, and endurance in suffering; the letter does not treat suffering as proof that God has abandoned them.
1 Peter 1:1 1 Peter 1:3 1 Peter 1:15
FocusCasting care and resisting the adversary
Connection to the wholeThe community is called to humility, trust, and steadfast resistance, with suffering placed alongside God's promise to establish His people.
interpretation The closing testimony
1 Peter 5:12–14FocusStand in this grace
Connection to the wholePersonal greetings and Peter's stated purpose call the readers to stand in the grace about which he has written.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
1 Peter
Peter addresses scattered believers in the regions named in the opening. Their hope in Jesus' resurrection is joined to holiness, honourable conduct, and endurance in suffering; the letter does not treat suffering as proof that God has abandoned them.
1 Peter 1:1 1 Peter 1:3 1 Peter 1:15
A living hope
1 Peter 1:1–12FocusResurrection and salvation
Connection to the wholeThanksgiving places the readers' present trials within their hope and the salvation announced to them.
interpretation A holy and built-together people
1 Peter 1:13–2:10FocusNew birth, obedience, and identity
Connection to the wholeThe hope leads into holiness, love, and the image of believers coming to Christ as living stones.
interpretation Honourable conduct
1 Peter 2:11–3:12FocusLife among others and within households
Connection to the wholePeter applies the calling to public conduct, service, marriage, and the community's manner toward one another.
interpretation Suffering with faithfulness
1 Peter 3:13–4:19FocusChrist's example and God's judgment
Connection to the wholeThe letter addresses opposition by directing believers toward Christ and toward continued doing of good under trial.
interpretation FocusHumility, vigilance, and grace
Connection to the wholeFinal instructions to elders and the church join mutual humility with watchfulness and steadfast resistance to the adversary.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.