1 Pietro 5:1-11

1 IO esorto gli anziani d’infra voi, io che sono anziano con loro, e testimonio delle sofferenze di Cristo, ed insieme ancora partecipe della gloria che dev’esser manifestata,

2 che voi pasciate la greggia di Dio che è fra voi, avendone la cura, non isforzatamente, ma volontariamente; non per disonesta cupidità del guadagno, ma di animo franco.

3 E non come signoreggiando le eredità, ma essendo gli esempi della greggia.

4 E, quando sarà apparito il sommo Pastore, voi otterrete la corona della gloria che non si appassa.

5 Parimente voi giovani, siate soggetti a’ più vecchi; e sottomettetevi tutti gli uni agli altri; siate adorni d’umiltà; perciocchè Iddio resiste a’ superbi, e dà grazia agli umili.

6 Umiliatevi adunque sotto alla potente mano di Dio, acciocchè egli v’innalzi, quando sarà il tempo;

7 gettando sopra lui tutta la vostra sollecitudine; perciocchè egli ha cura di voi.

8 Siate sobri; vegliate; perciocchè il vostro avversario, il diavolo, a guisa di leon ruggente, va attorno, cercando chi egli possa divorare.

9 Al quale resistete, essendo fermi nella fede; sapendo che le medesime sofferenze si compiono nella vostra fratellanza, che è per lo mondo.

10 OR l’Iddio di ogni grazia, il quale vi ha chiamati alla sua eterna gloria in Cristo Gesù, dopo che avrete sofferto per poco tempo; esso vi renda compiuti, vi raffermi, vi fortifichi, vi fondi.

11 A lui sia la gloria, e l’imperio, ne’ secoli de’ secoli. Amen.

1 Pietro 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.