1 Pet 5.1-14 tells us that Peter exhorts the elders (zekanim) to shepherd the flock voluntarily and instructs them about their duties; a reward is promised for faithful service by the Chief Shepherd; instruction to the younger people to submit to their elders and to one another; be on guard against Ha Satan and resist his lies in spiritual warfare; a prayer for strength and a conclusion to the letter.
v 1…Therefore, I exhort the elders (zekanim) among you, as a fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Messiah, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed (he had a glimpse into the Olam Haba at the transfiguration in Matt 17.1-8; Luke 9.28-36),
v 2…shepherd (feed) the flock of God among you, not under compulsion (by force-1 Tim 3.1-7; Titus.1.5-9; Acts 20.17-30) but voluntarily according to God (his calling on you and purposes) and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;
v 3…nor yet as lording it over (exercise dominion over-Matt 20.25-28; intimidate like a dictator) those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.
v 4…And when the Chief Shepherd appears you will receive the unfading crown of glory (unlike the crowns given in worldly pursuits like the Olympics, conquering armies which were olive or some other tree).
v 5…You younger men (of the assembly; the elders were seen as “fathers” and the others “children”), likewise be subject to your elders (in the function of a zekan – has nothing to do with age), and all of you (in the assembly), clothe yourselves (gird yourself) with humility (a mind of subjection) toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud (scoffer) but gives grace to the humble (Prov 3.34).
v 6…Humble yourselves (not with some outward show of denying the flesh, fasting, sackcloth, etc, but with true inward mourning and weeping over the plague of the heart and impure nature, our sins) therefore; under the mighty hand of God (the “critical” hand of God who blesses or chastises), that he may exalt you at the proper time (*Luke 14.11; 18.14),
v 7…casting all your anxiety upon him, because he cares for you.
v 8…Be sober (well-balanced in emotions) and vigilant (watchful). Your adversary (Hebrew (“satan”) the devil (“diabolos” in Greek), prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (it has been known that lions eat their own cubs).
v 9…But resist him (stand against him), firm in the faith (the body of doctrinal truth found in their Torah-based faith in Yeshua), knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.
v 10…And after you have suffered for a little while (in comparison to eternity), the God of all grace (the source of all blessings), who called you to his eternal glory in Messiah Yeshua (in the Olam Haba), will himself perfect you (reconstruct you), confirm (assure the certainty of it), strengthen, establish (to set firmly with a strong foundation) you.
v 11…To him (Yehovah) be glory and dominion (the kingdom-Dan 7.13-14; 1 Chr 2911-13; Matt 6.13) forever and ever (L’Olam Vaed). Amen (so be it; to be trusted).
v 12…Through Silvanus our faithful brother, for so I regard him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.
v 13…She (the kahal; bride) who is in Babylon (Babylon was a Torah center for 500 years and had the largest Jewish population in the world; Pater was sent to the “circumcision” in Gal 2.9), chosen together with you, sends you greetings (Peter was writing from there), and so does my son Mark (John Mark possibly or some other Mark; John Mark was an interpreter of Peter and it is said that he wrote his book based on what he had heard from Peter).
v 14…Greet one another with a kiss of love (a common expression of affection even today), Peace be to you all who are in Messiah (called by him and who represent him, reflecting his life, teachings, purposes, and under his control).
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