1 Peter 5:1-6, Submission in the Body of Christ

We need to be sure we understand how this passage fits the message of the entire epistle.  First, in v1 Peter ties these words to the life of Christ he wants them to embrace.  Peter is one with them, seeking to live as he has encouraged them to live.

Second, Peter is calling both the elders and the flock to live, not doing the will of the Gentiles but the will of God.  Elders are called to servant-leadership which, as Jesus pointed out, was not the style adopted by the world (Mark 10:42-45).  The flock is called to the same attitude of submission he has stressed throughout the letter (2:13,18; 3:1). We can learn submission in the Church where encouragement and forgiveness abound so we can practice it in the world where we are constantly tested.

Concerning the leadership of the Church note these thoughts.

·        Peter addresses them using three titles for himself.  As a fellow elder he identifies with them.  As a witness of the sufferings of Christ he identifies his apostolic authority.  As a partaker of the glory that will be revealed he identifies himself with all of the flock.

·        Peter uses the three titles for leaders in a local fellowship.  They are elders (v1), emphasizing their spiritual maturity and responsibility to set an example.  They are shepherds (v2, which can be translated “pastors”), a title that related them to Christ as His under-shepherds.  It also speaks of their responsibility to fee the flock with the word of God.  They are overseers (v2) because they watch over the souls of the sheep (Heb. 13:17). 

·        The primary command is shepherd the flock of God which is among you.  There is a wonderful description of what good shepherds do in Ezek. 34:1-6.  They feed the flock, strengthen the weak, heal the sick, bind up the injured, bring back those driven away and seek the lost.  This command is modified by several phrases.

o      Taking the oversight.  Again, this is not administration; it is watching over the flock (Ac. 20:29-31).

o      With a willing attitude, cheerfully and not out of mere duty (1 Tim. 3:1).

o      With a voluntary attitude rather than doing it for the money (Ac. 20:19,33).

o      Not leading by being the boss but by setting the example (1 Tim. 4:15-16).

The primary encouragement for elders is that they should desire to please Christ.  What they may give up in terms of earthly glory will be far exceeded by the glory bestowed by Christ when He appears.

The sheep are called to submission, not only to the leadership (the elders) but a general attitude of submission to all their brothers and sisters (Eph. 5:21 where Paul calls for the same thing).  Humility is the fundamental trait of submission and is tied to one of those universal principles of Scripture.  God exalts the humble and humbles the exalted.  Another way to say this is to quote Prov. 3:34: God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.  There is no way to receive grace from God to live our lives from moment to moment if we do not humble ourselves before Him.  But if we do then we know He will exalt us in His time in the way that glorifies Him the most.  We know this, because that is what God always does!