OHBC Bible Study: 1 Peter 5:1-7

In the final chapter, Peter begins with a personal message to the church’s elders and ministers.  The church needs Spirit-led leadership more than when it is being persecuted, which explains why Peter wrote this special message to encourage them to do their work faithfully. Peter concluded the body of his epistle (1:3—5:11) and this section on encouragement in suffering (4:12—5:11) with specific commands so that his readers would understand how to live and suffer for Christ in difficult days.

BIBLE STUDY OUTLINE:

I. The Eligibility of Faithful Elders (1 Peter 5:1)

A. In verse 1, Peter addresses the leaders of the church. He calls them “elders.” The term “elders” is used in the New Testament to refer to chronological age and the office of church leadership. According to the context of verse 1, Peter refers to church leaders.

B. The New Testament church has two offices: elders and deacons. While their qualifications often overlap, their roles as servant-leaders are distinct. Elders serve by leading, and deacons lead by serving. We typically refer to the office of an elder as “pastor,” derived from the Latin word for “shepherd.” However, pastor or shepherd is only used to refer to the office in Ephesians 4:11.
 
C. Again, verse 1 teaches the essential nature of biblical eldership: gender-specific, godly-focused, and plural.

1. Elders are gender-specific. The term “elders” literally refers to older men. When used for the church office, the term generally refers to leaders with spiritual maturity. However, the reference to men remains literal. In verse 1, the term “elders” is masculine in Greek.
2. Elders are godly. The term “elders” became a term for leadership because of the assumption that older men were mature men. Of course, this assumption does not always ring true. Peter does not restrict the office of elders based on age but on spiritual maturity (refer to 1 Tim 3:2-7). The focus is on the godly character of those called to the elder’s office.
3. Elders are plural. Peter addressed the church's spiritual leadership, but this leadership does not revolve around one man. The exhortation was to “the elders.” The term is only used in a singular form four times in the New Testament (1 Pet 1b - “a fellow elder”; 1 Tim 5:19; 2 John 1 and 3 John 1). The New Testament models and assumes a plurality of elders in the local church, with one elder being the primary leader.

D. Peter adds another source of strength: confidence in knowing that we are fighting alone (v. 9b). There is strength in being a part of a caring and praying community.

II. The Duty of Faithful Elders (1 Peter 5:2)

A. New Testament passages have more to say about the character of elders than their work. It is about who they are, not merely what they do. Verse 2 provides fundamental functions for elders in the church. Elders are called upon to “shepherd the flock of God” and oversee the church.  Peter records the closing benediction and doxology in 1 Peter 5:10-11. He makes it clear that Christian suffering is not a conflict with Satan because we have a divine ally—God’s grace is sufficient for faithful Christians in a hostile world.

B. Elders shepherd the flock of God (v. 2a). The New Testament describes Christians as sheep and the church as God’s flock. God’s flock needs godly shepherds.
 
C. Elders oversee the flock of God (v. 2b). How are elders to shepherd the flock of God—by “exercising oversight.” The work of the elder is pastoral. They are to feed and lead the sheep. They oversee the work of the church. They watch over your souls (Heb 13:17). The church needs wise and godly elders to oversee the flock of God.

III. The Practical Attitudes of Faithful Elders (1 Peter 5:2-3)

A. After exhorting the elders to faithfully adhere to their ministry duties, Peter gives three practical attitudes for which elders should exercise oversight.

B. The first attitude for elders is one of willingness—“not under compulsion, but willing, as God would have you” (v. 2c). An elder must have a heart for the Lord’s work and His people. A sense of divine call should compel church leaders to faithful service.

C. The second attitude for elders is eagerness—“not for shameful gain, but eagerly” (v. 2d). The term “shameful gain” (ESV), “sordid gain” (NASB), or “filthy lucre” (KJV) implies a motivation of greed. One qualification for elders is to be free from the love of money (1 Tim 3:3; 6:10).

D. The third attitude for elders is meekness—“not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock” (v. 3). With the phrase “domineering over” or “lording over,” Peter echoes Jesus’s warning against authoritarian leadership style (Matt 20:25-28). Faithful elders lead effectively by their moral authority of a godly example.

IV. The Reward for Faithful Elders (1 Peter 5:4)

A. First Peter provides hope to persecuted Christians. This hope is rooted in the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. In verse 4, Peter affirms this hope to motivate the elders to be faithful: “And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.”

B. Pastors are only under-shepherds. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Chief Shepherd of the church.

C. When Christ returns, faithful shepherds will receive an unfading crown of glory. It is the victor’s crown. This reward should motivate elders to faithful service.

V. A Formula that Brings Relief (1 Peter 5:5-7)

A. Peter turns his reader’s attention from the shepherds to the sheep. Good leaders deserve good followers. In verses 5-7, Peter gives at least three exhortations:

1. Submit to those who are wise. 
2. Humble yourself under God’s mighty hand.
3. Cast your cares onto the mercy and care of God.

B. All Christians, regardless of age and status, should put on “humility” like a garment (i.e., let it be what others see as we serve; cf. 1 Pet 3:8). The Greek word “clothe yourselves” comes from a phrase referring to the apron that servants put on over their regular clothes. Peter quotes Proverbs 3:34 and then expounds the ideas in the following verses.

C. Verse 7 does not introduce a new command but explains how to humble oneself by entrusting oneself and one’s troubles to God (Ps 55:22; cf. Matt 6:24-34; Phil 4:6). “Having cast” is the translation of a word (epiripsantes) that means “having deposited with.” “Casting” means to put on something or someone else, but it is also used for making a deposit. We can cast all our anxieties on the Lord (deposit it with Him) because we have confidence that God cares for our welfare.When Christ returns, faithful shepherds will receive an unfading crown of glory. It is the victor’s crown. This reward should motivate elders to faithful service.

Conclusion:

Only God can bring a “peace that surpasses all understanding” to those who face anxieties. Through submission to mature believers, humility toward God, and turning our anxieties over to Him, we can experience lasting relief. Direction, discipline, and discernment are essential to enduring life’s difficulties with a “living hope” in Christ Jesus. Looking back at Peter’s letter, we see connecting themes of love, unity, peace, faith, grace, and living hope. Peter ends his letter with words of unity, love, and peace, which marks Christ’s presence and power in the church. Peter discovers that God’s grace is sufficient for him, and he wants all believers to know that God’s grace will also sustain them.