The Word Made Fresh
1Now, as an elder myself, and as a witness to the suffering of Christ, and as one who will share in the glory yet to be seen, I charge all the elders among you 2to tend God’s flock that has been placed under your leadership. Don’t do this as though you are under compulsion, but do it willingly for God. Don’t do it to gain anything for yourselves, but do it eagerly. 3Don’t boss around those over whom you are in charge; be an example to them 4so that you might receive the crown of glory that will never fade when the chief shepherd appears. 5Those of you who are younger should accept the authority of the elders, and all of you must wear the cloak of humility when you deal with one another. After all, “God scorns the scornful, but blesses those who are humble.”
6So, lower yourselves under God’s strong hand so that he might raise you up when the time is right. 7Give him all your worries because he cares for you. 8Train yourselves to stay alert. The devil is your enemy, and prowls like a roaring lion searching for someone to devour. 9Remain steadfast in faith and resist him, for all your fellow believers around the world are suffering the same troubles. 10But after you have suffered for a little while the God of grace, who has summoned you to everlasting glory in Christ, will personally restore, support, strengthen, and hold you securely. 11Everlasting power is with him. Amen.
12Silas, a faithful brother, has helped me write this short letter to encourage you and to attest that this is God’s true grace. Stand fast in it. 13She who is in Babylon, who has been chosen with you, greets you. And so does my son Mark. Greet one another with a loving kiss.
Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
Commentary
1-5: The metaphor of the church as a flock of sheep and the elder or leader as the shepherd goes back to the sayings of Jesus (see especially John 10:11), but also dates to the Old Testament where Israel is the flock and God or God’s chosen leader is the shepherd (as early as Numbers 27:17). In that vein the author urges the other elders to “tend God’s flock that has been placed under your leadership.” For that arrangement to work, though, it is imperative that those in the “flock” deal with each other humbly and not lord it over one another. It is also important that elders be respected by younger members of the community. Humility is an especially important attitude, particularly in light of Old Testament teachings about God’s relationship with the proud as contrasted with God’s relationship with the humble (the quote in verse 5 is a direct quote from James 4:6 — one of the few places in the New Testament that quotes other New Testament writers).
6-11: Humility is all important. Anxiety must be discarded, of course; faith cannot admit such a thing. Discipline is essential. Alertness — not just for Christ’s return but also for the devil’s machinations — is also essential. The devil is embodied as a roaring lion prowling about for unsuspecting souls. There is solidarity in suffering. The readers of this letter are not the only ones being persecuted — he’s telling them to trust that they are not alone in that. Persevere; Christ will come and save.
12-14: Silas would seem to be the one to whom the letter is dictated, reminding us of Paul’s use of secretaries. The mention of Babylon here is certainly a reference to Rome, which leads many to the conclusion that the letter was written from there.
Takeaway
Too often the church is threatened by disagreements; disagreements which are often over things that really make little difference. Faith in Christ and respect for one another are basic ingredients for love and fellowship.