1 Peter 5:1-7

Rachel Workman: 5 And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: 2 Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. 3 Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. 4 And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor. Verse 2 hits home with me, not for what you get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. I am guilty of having the mindset of if I serve God I'll be blessed. And I will but that's not why I am to serve God. I am to serve God because he is my Lord and my Savior and nothing I can ever do here will repay what he has already done for me and mine. But get this, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor. Can you imagine? Never ending, as in it never ends, forever. WOW

5 In the same way, you younger men must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, serve each other in humility, for

“God opposes the proud
    but favors the humble.” My pride is something I need to work on. Humility does not always come easily for me.

6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. I love this verse. How am I to humble myself? Under the mighty power of God. It's though his power that I am able to overcome and humble myself. I most certainly need to work on giving all my worries to God. I fail with that a lot. I pray about my situation and no sooner is it out my mouth it's back in my mind and I'm trying to fix it again. Shame on me.

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John Burnett:  5 Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, I am by no means an elder but I am a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed because I am an adopted son and co-heir with Jesus Christ. ² shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God Not because you need to do good for the sake of your salvation but out of obedience to the one the saved us; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; ³ nor yet as lording it over ^[a]those allotted to your charge, but ^[b]proving to be examples to the flock. ⁴ And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading ^[c]crown of glory. ⁵ You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.  It is by grace you are saved.  God gives grace to the humble, those who repent of their sins and confess their need for Jesus to pay for their sins.  One can infer that God does not give grace to those who ask Jesus into their heart and keep on living like they were before.  In this day and age of seeker sensitivity, the part of the gospel that speaks of humility and repentance is often watered down or left off completely, which is a travesty when people think they are saved but because they never humbled themselves they have no grace.  

⁶ Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, ⁷ casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.  No worries but I am anxious to see him.  Come quickly, Lord Jesus.

I love this book.  I have not read it enough.

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Krista Cook:  5 And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: ² Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. ³ Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. ⁴ And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.

- what a blessing it is to have godly men to watch over us.

⁵ In the same way, you younger men must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, serve each other in humility, for

“God opposes the proud
    but favors the humble.”^[a]

⁶ So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. ⁷ Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

- these 2 verses are quoted often b/c they say a lot!

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Mike Grimm:  5 And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: ² Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. The believers, in the various towns and cities of Asia Minor to whom Peter’s letter had been sent, belonged to God, for they had been purchased with the priceless blood of his unique Son. This called for the elders to treat fellow believers as persons who were precious to God.  ³ Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. ⁴ And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor. The “Great Shepherd” is Jesus Christ. At the time he appears or returns as the highly exalted King and Judge, elders who had faithfully served in looking after the welfare of fellow believers would receive the “crown of never-ending glory.” This “crown” would denote Christ’s approval for their having discharged their responsibilities in faithfulness. They, like other devoted believers, would be rewarded with the enjoyment of life in the sinless state and share in all the divinely promised benefits and blessings.

⁵ In the same way, you younger men must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, serve each other in humility, for

“God opposes the proud
    but favors the humble.”

God turns his attention to the lowly who seek his help and who are willing to serve others. He stands in opposition to all who arrogantly lift themselves above others and want to dominate and to be served.

⁶ So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. ⁷ Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. When faced with affliction or hardships, believers need to cast their “anxiety,” care, or concern on God, not giving in to unsettling worry but trusting in his loving concern and the strengthening aid he provides by means of his spirit. Never will our heavenly Father fail to sustain and strengthen us in our times of difficulty, for he cares for us.