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Join Peter Englert, a pastor, and Dr. Ron Hall, professor and pastor, as they delve into the book of 1 Peter. This book helps readers cope with suffering in an antagonistic world by offering hope in Jesus. Whether you're exploring faith or a long-time follower of Jesus, read through the book of 1 Peter on your own or with a group of friends with insights to better understand this book of the Bible.
1 Peter 5:1-11
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[00:00:00]
Peter Englert: Welcome to the Reading First Peter podcast. I am here with, uh, my co-host and friend, professor and Pastor Ron Hall. My name is Peter Englert and today we are actually going through my favorite passage in first Peter, and that's first Peter five, one through 11. So Ron, are you ready to go? We'll jump right
Ron Hall: Let's go for it.
Peter Englert: All right. It says this in the new international version, uh, one Peter five, one. the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ's suffering who will share in the glory to be revealed, be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, watching over them. Not because you must, but because you are willing as God wants you to be.
Not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve, not lording over. Not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief shepherd appears, you'll receive the crown of glory that will never fade [00:01:00] away the same way you who are younger, submit yourself to your elders. of you cloth yourselves with humility toward one another because God opposes the proud, but shows favor to the humble. Humble yourselves. Therefore, under God's mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time, cast all your anxieties on him because he cares for you. Be alert and and of sober mind.
Your enemy, the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him standing firm in the faith because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to be his eternal glory in Christ after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast to him, be the power forever and ever.
Amen.
Ron Hall: Amen.
Peter Englert: Yeah. Ron, I, I think where I wanna start here is before we hit record, um, talked about [00:02:00] there, there's a lot of Jesus sermon on the Mount here, and I, I think it's, as we kinda start big picture to understanding this passage, there's just so much to say about how much Peter was influenced by Jesus's teaching.
Ron Hall: Well, it, it comes through of his years of walking with Christ and his attitude is transferred over to how he communicates with other people. Remember, by the time you get to second Peter, I want to put you in remembrance of these things while he's doing this. Pre two Peter. That whole attitude of the how we conduct ourselves, the imagery of Shepherd that comes from John 10 of Jesus being the Chief Shepherd.
It's reinforced in the book of Acts that we are shepherds of God's flock. So here he has that imagery. It's a sense of of, of tenderness, you know, humility on his part. And so the parallels with the [00:03:00] Sermon on the Mount are significant with the beatitudes of the attitude that we have of casting our cares upon him, where we're not supposed to worry.
And so if you put them side by side, you'd see a lot of those parallels.
Peter Englert: I think that that's a good way to frame the big picture. So, uh, when we talk about structure, you know, Peter first of all, addresses the elders. Then he addresses, uh, the, those that are younger and then he addresses everyone. So how do you see this kind of big structure before we dive in? Playing out in what Peter's saying with the larger theme of the book.
Ron Hall: Well, first of all, that term elder is used interchangeably. And in other places of the New Testament, you're reading and you'll see the term overseer or you'll see pastor, even the idea of teacher. So the term elder is used interchangeably. And then we're talking about younger people. We assume he is referring specifically to people that are coming up in the [00:04:00] faith that are gonna be serving the Lord in specialized ministry.
And then humility for them. Yes, but humility for everyone. It's the idea of submission that we already addressed in previous episodes from starting in chapter two.
Peter Englert: You know, one of the things that I'm thinking about, just to help our listeners is Titus. Um, actually has some clear parallels. And Titus uh, Paul in Titus goes really deeper and he actually says, the God that does not lie, which is a hint to the cre, uh, the cretins who lie. And in here it's almost the message is so entwined with Paul, Peter, and Jesus. That, you know, he's talking with the elders and he is saying, you're not supposed to pursue dishonest gain. That connects back to don't be like the Gentiles, that Lord over you. Don't be like the Romans, even though you're called to submit to them and then be eager to serve. I, I [00:05:00] just think it's so powerful that the New Testament is in lock step with elders and we'll get to the younger men, but I, I think that that's the biggest part that's standing out to me about verses one to four.
Ron Hall: Well, and also you refer to tit as chapter one. You have the list in one Peter chapter three. When we look at those lists, they deal with character, lifestyle, and then the ability to teach is what separates out an elder. Then compared to a deacon, a deacon, that terminology is not one that's happen to be given to teaching.
So here, elder, the idea in, uh, an overseer. One, Peter chapter three, I mean, uh, one Timothy chapter three, as well as the Titus Chapter one, give the same type of ideas where it's about character, it's about lifestyle, and that's what you want in a minister. You want someone who demonstrates the [00:06:00] character of their life.
That speaks far louder. You know, the most powerful form of teaching is by what we model, what we live out. Here Peter picks up on these distinctives of what's going on within your attitude and not being a domineering controlling leader, but instead one that seeks to bring people together. But it's a delicate balance 'cause you want a leader who is strong, but yet you want someone who's humble.
Think about how the Apostle Peter had to be confronted by the Apostle Paul, uh, with the Galatians. Because he was separating himself, uh, to eat with the Jews and not with the Gentiles. And instead Peter humbles himself. He repents and he recognizes that the Apostle Paul has that gifted calling that he needs to honor and regard, have high regard for.
Peter Englert: Yeah, and before we get to the younger, uh, section, I think that this is pretty powerful. Um, I think we tend to, um, [00:07:00] weaken the picture of a shepherd, um, because we, we look at the staff and we look at the, the pale face, and we look at, you know, just carrying sheep in some of the pictures, but. Shepherding was a really hard job.
You know, you, I mean, we hear from the Old Testament. David fought off a bear. He fought off a lion. isn't just some rosy encouragement, but there's this idea of yes, you care for the sheep. You know, the shepherd would, you know, even pick bugs off the, you know, the fur and or, uh, the wool on the sheep.
But also like there, there is this. Powerful responsibility of the wellbeing of the sheep that I, I think sometimes we neutralize just because of our stereotypes.
Ron Hall: Yeah, and a classic book was written by the late Keller, uh, and the shepherds look at the 23rd Psalm. And if those of us listening have never read a shepherd's, look at the 23rd Psalm. It's an absolute classic. So you could get it on [00:08:00] audio or download a copy of it and the perspective of a, a shepherd. And he brings it to life.
And that's why that imagery is so important since Christ brings out that imagery to us. In the gospels reinforced in acts, and now here it's reinforced in the general letters of the New Testament. Should we not put an emphasis on it? Also, Peter, there's uh, parallels and to those listening with Ezekiel chapter 34, that deals with the servants of the Lord and how they conduct themselves.
And they were considered to be bad shepherds in Ezekiel 24, and they were rebuked because they weren't demonstrating the right attitude towards others attitudes, such as we see here in these verses.
Peter Englert: Well, we'll come back to some of the bigger thoughts on that, but let's move down, uh, to verse five, when it talks about the younger submitting to yourselves. And, um, you know, again, this, this kind of [00:09:00] reflects Peter and Paul and this actually makes me think about First John. 'cause First John does the same thing.
You know, John, the writer says to those of you that are older, to those of you that are younger. It's not just one or the other. And I think sometimes, um, we have these generational conversations, whether you're a boomer, ex, uh, millennial, or z, like it's just a one. And the writers of scripture tend to put everybody together and they're saying, Hey, as younger. We're asking the older to, to live with character, to be entrusted with leadership, but to the younger, don't be prideful. Use humility. Um, and as you pointed out, that's not just for the younger, that's for everybody.
Ron Hall: Yeah.
Peter Englert: But what else would you pull out from that
Ron Hall: Such?
Peter Englert: I.
Ron Hall: Well, I think another parallel, 'cause we're doing parallels with other, uh, letters in the New Testament. In one Timothy chapter four, Paul said to Timothy, let no person despise your youth,
Peter Englert: Hmm.
Ron Hall: [00:10:00] but instead be an example of the believer and then it's about his conduct, his character. That would be soundness of doctrine.
You can't say that you have the right doctrine theologically. But not have the complimenting character that goes along with it. Otherwise, you are a hypocrite. You can state all the great reform theology that you want, but are you living out the life? And that's where the parallels come with the sermon at the Mount.
We're not just, uh, talking about the word, but we're actually living it out and we're digging down deep and we're allowing it to grow within us. I like the parallel with this of one Timothy four. Don't let anyone despise your youth. Instead be an example of the believer and what is their example. You know, in the same way you'd be submissive, you know, to those who are older.
All of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another. And then Peter quotes out of Proverbs, chapter three, verse [00:11:00] 34. God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble. There's a great parallel with this also in James chapter four, the same idea about the need for, uh, humility and, and that was Christ who set us a better, an example of humility than Christ, the Fort Washington of John chapter 13, where he is willing to humble himself.
Uh, the idea in Matthew chapter 11, coming to me, all you labor heavy lady, and I'll give you rest, take my yoke upon you, learn from me. It's a matter of a disposition of humility.
Peter Englert: Hmm. and it even reminds me of Jesus's parable, um, when he says, when you're at a dinner party, don't go sit in the seat of honor, sit back. I mean, it, it just, it's so, it's almost like Peter, I wouldn't say Peter's finishing Jesus's sentence, but in some ways he's saying God will lift you up at the right time. So, maybe for some of our listeners. [00:12:00] Humility is this beautiful, um, characteristic. To some it might be weak. What do you think is the connection though from humility in verses five and six to verse seven? Cast your anxiety on him 'cause he cares
Ron Hall: Um, one point on humility before we respond to that, and that's that humility was a derogatory term in the first century. So the Romans shunned that terminology because it was a mark of weakness. But, but Christ put it up. He was a humble servant among us. So I think that what Peter's doing is you're functioning with other people, can create anxiety within you, uh, but instead you bring those cares to the Lord.
Conflicts that you have. Difficulties that you have. So as a younger, you're called to serve. But what will be your response? And that casting all your anxiety on him, it's a powerful parallel [00:13:00] with the Sermon on the Mount that we're not supposed to be worrying about tomorrow. Not taking anxious thought for tomorrow for sufficient unto the day Jesus said is the evil thereof.
So it's really how is the younger person going to respond? And then not only the younger person, but all of us. All of us are called the humility. Or as we've been learning in this letter submission, so how? How will we respond? Take all those anxieties we have that happen in functioning in life and with each other, and you bring those to the Lord.
Now, that's not easy. The great parallel would be Philippians chapter four of the idea. Not be anxious for anything, but by everything with prayer and supplication with Thanksgiving. Let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God that passes all understanding will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus.
Peter Englert: Hmm. Well, and I just kinda look at all the connections and all the things that you're saying. [00:14:00] Um, you know, with humility. Um, I'm gonna sound like a heretic here. I'm, I'm not, I'm not a huge fan of CS Lewis's. Quote, humility isn't thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less. And the only reason I critique it is if you ask me to think of myself less, I actually think of myself more.
So what do we di? What are we directed towards? And I think what Peter is showing with humility, when you're humble, you're actually looking to Jesus and to others first. of having this anxiety on yourself. I think Peter, even before we had the mental health revolution, is kind of pointing at under God's mighty hand, like God is taking care of things.
And that's what he's been saying through this whole book about suffering is might look like. Things are outta control. It might look like things are terrible, but God is watching over you and God didn't call you to live a [00:15:00] comfortable life. That's not what Jesus did. He died on a cross. And so I think when we see the humility and anxiety together, it ultimately leads to trust.
Ron Hall: Well, that's it because when we're anxious we have a tendency to wanna take control. And, uh, you know, I mean the, as you were speaking, I was thinking of the imagery. Uh, where you don't say to someone, don't think about a pink elephant in a room. Well, the mere fact that I said it in counseling, they train people.
What? That's all you're gonna be thinking about. And that is the idea of the imagery that you are bringing up. You know? So humility should be something that naturally flows out of us. And imagine if we spent more time thinking about that, how could I demonstrate, manifest, uh, the fruit of the spirit so that I'm not full of pride?
Thinking, uh, my life is my own, but rather my life is surrendered to the Lord and then give it to other people.
Peter Englert: No, I think that that's beautiful. Let's, um, [00:16:00] let's jump, um, because that's what Peter does. he, probably as modern readers, we probably read first Peter five, one through seven. It's beautiful and encouraging, but I, I think what we're pointing out is there's a little bit more weight, a little bit more power, because he shifts in verse eight. He shifts back to something that he's repeated. And again, the reason why we wanna bring these scriptural connections, especially within the book of one Peter, is sometimes we read this and we sometimes forget, he's said before, be sober, uh, be alert and be sober
Ron Hall: Chapter one.
Peter Englert: and talks about the devil and. Again, I, I think what Peter is doing is he's bringing you back, and we've said this a lot, what does it look like to follow Jesus in an antagonistic context? And he is reminding them, Hey, well because it reflects the shepherd. Submit. Well follow well because it reflects what Jesus did in serving. But also [00:17:00] remember, be sober. Be alert to how the devil is working around you.
Ron Hall: Yeah. And great parallels with chapter one of that Sober mindedness and Not sober and not being drunk. It's the idea of having a quick mind, having your mind be alert, being attuned. Um, I was reflecting earlier this week about the idea of discernment and how so many in the Christian Church today, uh, lack discernment.
The need for us to be exercised in the word so that we can be discerning. And that's the way we keep our minds alert. There's gotta be a regular exposure to the things of Jesus. So as you're bringing up, what does it really look like to walk with Jesus? Well, it's gotta be a matter of submission. And Peter goes on then to deal with why?
Because the devil is out to destroy every single one of us. You know, there was the old line, uh, the devil behind every bush. And you're not supposed to believe that. But there is the [00:18:00] reality that the devil is lurking and he is out to destroy every one of us. And so the imagery is so graphic. Well, how are we gonna counteract the attacks of the devil?
Since he goes about, Peter used the imagery as a roaring line. In other words, it's, it's vicious, the attacks. You do it by resisting him firm, standing firm in the faith. And this imagery is found in Ephesians chapter six, dealing with the fruit of the Spirit. And we take up the whole armor of God so we can stand against all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
So the, the devil's a reality, and if you don't believe in the devil, all you have to do is look at his footprints and realize, uh, that it's there. So it's how are we going to respond? And Peter drills down on this.
Peter Englert: Hmm. Well, and, and Peter drills down on it. But, uh, there, there is a comparison because verses 10 and 11, which is a prayer, Peter actually counteracts it [00:19:00] and he says, Hey, remember the God that's called you and though you've suffered for a little bit. Uh, he will restore you, make you strong and steadfast, uh, to him be the power forever and ever. And so it's, it's as if I think we forget, this is not an individualistic passage. This is a church context passage of saying, Hey, I'm preaching this sermon, this, this letter was read aloud, uh, to the churches. So, you know, we grew up in the Assemblies of God. We, we know about altar calls. It's almost as if the altar call, if you're from a tradition that's a benediction.
You know, Peter is coming to the close of this letter and he is saying, here's the God of all grace. Um, and I think that that's a pretty powerful, it's not the closing, we're gonna do that next episode, but it's a pretty powerful reminder that God is stronger
Ron Hall: So, yeah, and this is what we call a doxology. And the scripture is full of doxology, [00:20:00] uh, used repeatedly. It's the idea of pausing and giving praise, uh, to God, but Peter is trying to instill confidence in them that the Lord is going to be there for you. That you're not left alone in the midst of your suffering, and that is something we have to keep in focus.
Peter Englert: Hmm. Well, we're coming to a close and I, I think hopefully you all have seen the richness of this text. As you think about applying this passage, you know, what are some thoughts about what does this look like Monday through Saturday of our
Ron Hall: Yeah. Well, character and lifestyle. We have to drill down on those. We talked about drilling down on the reality of the Lord in the midst of the attacks of the enemy, but we have to deal with our character of our own life. What does that look like? The best way to lead is out of the character of our life and not lead out of the dominance of our [00:21:00] personality.
We have too much of that within our culture of personalities that are the strong ones. So what does it look like? It's the character in my life. It's the fruit of the spirit being manifest. It's realizing that I am not alone. The verse refers to other people that are facing the same types of sufferings that we are.
That's why we need community, and Peter's driving that home. Others are suffering, but here we are. We can trust in the Lord to work through all of that.
Peter Englert: Hmm. Yeah. My application, and this actually comes from, uh, my counselor and the work I've done on anxiety in my own life is this idea of naming it. And, you know, I think about. The more that we name things. So you look at the first section, um. Am I, am I naming that I'm lording over people? That I really just want to be right and I'm gonna use my authority to do that? I naming [00:22:00] the pride or the hubris of being younger than someone and thinking I know more than them? Am I naming that? Maybe, um, maybe my character, I'm following the ways of the devil in, you know, any simplistic of way. I mean, you think about, you know, taking things that aren't yours, taking that extra sugar packet all the way to, not fully gonna tell the truth and kind of, Hey, you know, that, that was lying there.
And then lastly, but just naming, naming Christ being Lord over my life. And
Ron Hall: Yeah.
Peter Englert: I think as powerful as this is for community, it's powerful for us as individuals because to have the humility name the sin, to name God's work, to name, dare I even say, the darkness in our lives, it doesn't have power over us, but our, you know, to not be sober is to talk ourselves into things like sin that directly [00:23:00] oppose God.
Ron Hall: Yeah, that's good. And that's the reality that we tie into. But it's then making the practical application that you talked about. And the only way that we can reinforce that is by regularly exposing ourselves. To scripture. That's why a daily devotional life matters. Reading through books like this,
Peter Englert: Hmm. Absolutely. Absolutely. Ron, we're almost there. You wanna say a prayer to let us out and, uh, we'll, next episode we'll hit 12 through 14.
Ron Hall: uh, Lord, we pray that we'd have the attitude Peter talks about, that we would be humble, willing, servant. Rather than seeking to be domineering over people, lording over them. Instead, we would surrender ourselves, first of all, to you as we learned back in one Peter chapter two, but then we would also work cooperatively with one another as we learned in chapter three.[00:24:00]
As is being reinforced here in chapter five for us, help us to have an attitude that honors you. We pray for anyone who's going through an especially difficult time with anxiety. They feel like they're under spiritual attack like the enemy is having a fanfare with them. They'd be able to resist the enemy strong, uh, through faith in you as Paul told us to put on the whole armor of God, that we can stand against all the wiles of the devil and we'd be able to find that place of peace and comfort with you.
'cause we cast all our carrots upon you knowing that you care for us. We pray for those who are suffering in the world that Peter refers to, that happened back in the first century and is happening now. We pray that your arms of love would be there to embrace them with what they're facing. In Jesus' name, amen.
Peter Englert: Amen. Thank you so much for joining us.