This Isn't A Game

1 Peter 5:1-11 (NIV)
To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers — not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

"God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble."
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.




Though believers should place their confidence in God, they should not be careless. Christians in conflict are to be on the alert, made strong and steadfast by Christ Himself.

Christians should be constantly alert because the enemy ("adversary"), the devil (diabolos) ("slanderer"), is always actively seeking an opportunity for a vicious attack. This verse could also be a veiled allusion to the horrors of the Neronian persecution in the Roman Coliseum, in which lions mauled and devoured Christians. Satan desired to do the same thing spiritually, to defeat believers" testimonies.


The devil can be and should be resisted. Resist
means "withstand," used also in James 4:7
It is a term of defense rather than attack. Christians may stand firm against Satan only if they depend wholly on Christ, standing firm in the faith (Col 2:5). Peter also encouraged his readers by reminding them that they were not alone in their suffering. The knowledge that other Christians, your brothers throughout the world, were suffering, would strengthen their resolve to continue to stand firm.


Peter had encouraged his readers to endure suffering in such a way that the grace of God would be made manifest in their lives. Now in a closing word of benediction he committed them to the God of all grace. The benediction briefly summarizes Peter's message of encouragement. Christians' suffering will last only a little while, while their glory in Christ, to which they were called, will be eternal (Rom 8:17-18; 2 Cor 4:16-18). God Himself would restore them and make them strong
(Eph 3:17; Col 1:23).


To Him be the power forever and ever. Amen. In this benediction, similar to the one in 4:11, Peter praised Christ who has all power for all time (Rom 11:36; 1 Tim 6:16). Certainly He has the power to strengthen His own as they undergo persecution.