Instructions to Elders 1 Peter 5:1

After telling the “scattered” Christians “the righteous scarcely be saved”, Peter the apostle wondered “where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear”? He concluded that the Christians who “suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls” to “a faithful Creator”, and in chapter five and verse one of his letter, Peter directed his instructions to “the elders” who were among the Christians where we read:

The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:

The verse begins, “The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder,...” Peter began with the words, “The elders” which in Greek is the word “presbyteros” and were the “advanced in life, seniors, forefathers and among the Christians those who presided over the assemblies (or churches). The New Testament uses the term bishop, elders, and presbyters interchangeably” “which are among you” or “by and with the Christians” “I exhort” which means “call to one's side, summon, address, speak to, admonish, beg, entreat and beseech”, “who am also an elder” or “fellow elder and presbyter”. Peter was able to “admonish and entreat” “the elders” who were “among” the “scattered” Christians because he was also a “fellow-elder” with them.

The verse goes on to say, “...and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:” Peter went on to add, “and a witness” which is the Greek word “martys” or “one who is a spectator of anything or of a contest and those who after his example have proved the strength and genuineness of their faith in Christ by undergoing a violent death” “of the sufferings” which means “that which one suffers or has suffered, misfortune, calamity and evil affliction” “of Christ” who is “the anointed one, Messiah and the Son of God”, “and also” or “even and indeed” “a partaker” which means “partner, associate, comrade and companion” “of the glory” or “opinion, judgment, view, splendor and brightness” “that shall” which means “to be about, on point of doing, intend, have in mind and think to” “be revealed” or “uncovered, laid open what has been veiled, disclosed, made bare and manifest”. Peter was also “a witness” of the “sufferings” of Jesus which enabled him to be a “comrade and companion” of the “glory” which shall be “disclosed and unveiled”.

When we think about Peter's words, we understand his position of authority and identification with these “elders”. The “elders” were to be the authorities in the church, and they were to be responsible before not only the church and the Christians within it, but also before God Almighty. It was Jesus who set up His church, and those who lead over others were not only to have experienced a relationship with Him, but also be very careful how they “ruled” over them. As we look into these instructions from Peter, may the Lord Jesus help us to know the importance of following His ways whether we are leading others or are under their leadership.

Next time Peter tells the “elders” to “feed the flock of God” and “take the oversight” of them, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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