1 Pedro 5:1-11

Exhortación a los ancianos y a los jóvenes

1 A los ancianos que están entre ustedes, yo, que soy anciano como ellos, testigo de los sufrimientos de Cristo y partícipe con ellos de la gloria que se ha de revelar, les ruego esto:

2 cuiden como pastores el rebaño de Dios que está a su cargo, no por obligación ni por ambición de dinero, sino con afán de servir, como Dios quiere.

3 No sean tiranos con los que están a su cuidado, sino sean ejemplos para el rebaño.

4 Así, cuando aparezca el Pastor supremo, ustedes recibirán la inmarcesible corona de gloria.

5 Así mismo, jóvenes, sométanse a los ancianos. Revístanse todos de humildad en su trato mutuo, porque«Dios se opone a los orgullosos,pero da gracia a los humildes».^[a]

6 Humíllense, pues, bajo la poderosa mano de Dios, para que él los exalte a su debido tiempo.

7 Depositen en él toda ansiedad, porque él cuida de ustedes.

8 Practiquen el dominio propio y manténganse alerta. Su enemigo el diablo ronda como león rugiente, buscando a quién devorar.

9 Resístanlo, manteniéndose firmes en la fe, sabiendo que sus hermanos en todo el mundo están soportando la misma clase de sufrimientos.

10 Y después de que ustedes hayan sufrido un poco de tiempo, Dios mismo, el Dios de toda gracia que los llamó a su gloria eterna en Cristo, los restaurará y los hará fuertes, firmes y estables.

11 A él sea el poder por los siglos de los siglos. Amén.

1 Pedro 5:1-11 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 PETER 5

In this chapter the apostle first exhorts pastors and members of churches to their respective duties as such; and then to those which were common to them all, as Christians; and closes the epistle with prayers for them, salutations of them, and with his apostolic benediction. He begins with the pastors or elders, and describes himself as a fellow elder, an eyewitness of Christ's sufferings, and a partaker of his glory, 1Pe 5:1, and these he exhorts to feed the flock of God, where they were; to take the charge and oversight of them, freely, readily, and willingly, and not through force or covetousness; and not to exercise a tyrannical dominion over them, but to be examples to them, 1Pe 5:2,3, and the argument made use of to encourage them to all this is, that at the appearance of Christ, the chief Shepherd, they should receive a never fading crown of glory, 1Pe 5:4 and next, the members of the churches are exhorted to submit to the rule and government of their pastors, being according to the word of God; and to be subject to one another; and particularly to put on humility, as a garment very ornamental to them; and the rather, since God opposes himself to men that are proud, but gives more grace to the humble, 1Pe 5:5 and especially he exhorts them to be humble under the hand of God, since that is a mighty one, and this is the way to be exalted in due time; and also to cast their care upon him, seeing he cared for them, 1Pe 5:6,7 and then the apostle proceeds to the common duties of Christians, and to exhort them to sobriety and watchfulness, since Satan their adversary was a cruel and indefatigable one, and ever seeking the ruin of men; and to resist him in the steadfast exercise of faith, and patiently bear all afflictions, seeing the same were accomplished in their brethren in the world, 1Pe 5:8,9 and then he puts up some petitions for them, that they might be perfected, stablished, strengthened, and settled, 1Pe 5:10 and ascribes glory and dominion for ever to the God of grace, to whom he prays, 1Pe 5:11 after which he names the person by whom he sends this epistle, giving a summary of it; that it was an exhortation and a testimony to the true doctrine of grace wherein they stood, 1Pe 5:12, and next follow the salutations of the church at Babylon, and of his son Marcus, to them, 1Pe 5:13, and lastly, he desires they would salute one another with a kiss of love, and gives them his benedictory wish, 1Pe 5:14.

Footnotes

• [a]. Pr 3:34