1 Peter 5
1 Therefore, I—a fellow elder and person who reports the sufferings of Christ and a participant in the praiseworthiness that’s going to be revealed—urge the elders among you: 2 Take care ofa the portion of God’s flockb that’s with you, supervisingc people not by forced but instead having it be voluntary based on the way God does, not shamefully eager for profit but, instead, wholeheartedly, 3 not lording over those who are entrusted to you but instead becoming examples for the flock. 4 After the lead Shepherd is made visible, you will receive the laurel wreath,e which never withers, for praiseworthiness.
5 Similarly, younger people, cooperate with the elders, but everyone bind yourselves with humility toward each other since “God resists those who place themselves over others but provides generosity to the humble.”f 6 Therefore, be humbled by God’s strong hand so that he will lift you up when the time is right,g 7 unloading all your anxiety on him because he cares about you.
8 Be level-headed. Be vigilant. Your adversary,h the False Accuser,i roams like a roaring lionj looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand against him, stable with faithful trust, having seen the same kinds of suffering being brought to an endk by your Family throughout the world. 10 The God of every generosity, who called you through Christ for his agelong praiseworthiness, will restore, stabilize, strengthen, and establish you after a short time of suffering. 11 Power to him for the Age. Amen.
12 I have written to you about a few things, through Silvanus whom I consider a faithful brother, encouraging and telling you that this is the true generosity of God. Stand up for it. 13 The co-chosen in Babylon greets you warmly, as well as my son Mark. 14 Greet each other warmly with a loving kiss. May peace be among you, between all who are with Jesus.
FOOTNOTES:
a This word is specific to caring for a flock of livestock, usually sheep.
b Of livestock, such as sheep. This passage has a connection to John 21:16.
c The Greek word is episkopeo, the verb form of the word for ‘supervisor’ that is part of the compound word of ‘who assert control over others’ in 1 Peter 4:15.
d Anankastos means ‘forcibly’ or ‘by coercion,’ such as joining the military by a draft, involuntarily. The adverb used in this way has traditionally been translated as applying to why the elders supervise, whether involuntarily or voluntarily. However, the context is 1 Peter 4:15 and the word for “someone who asserts control over others” (literally, ‘being an other-supervisor’) and the remainder of 1 Peter 5:2 where it talks about not doing it for profit but enthusiastically—because they care about it—and 5:3 about not lording over people. With that context, it seems more appropriate to translate anankostos as referring to those being supervised, that they should not be forced to listen to the elders but must be allowed to do so voluntarily.
e Traditionally, ‘crown.’ The word for ‘crown’ here is not a royal crown. It is the laurel wreath, or garland, awarded to the winning runner of a race or triumphant commander of a battle.
f Quotation of Proverbs 3:34. Parallel to James 4:6.
g This may be a reference to Luke 1:41-52 (or they may both refer to a common source or tradition).
h This word means ‘someone bringing charges against you in court.’
i Traditionally, ‘the Devil,’ but ‘Devil’ isn’t a translation, it’s simply taking the Greek word and transferring it to English letters.
j Reference to Psalm 22:13
k Traditionally ‘endured by’ or ‘experienced by’ or ‘undergoing.’ The KJV is actually the closest to the definitions listed in The Cambridge Greek Lexicon (2021) with ‘accomplished in.’ The definitions listed are 1) bring to an end or its goal, 2) put into effect, 3) perform (rituals) or celebrate (rites/festivals/games), and 4) pay (tax/tribute/penalties).