Be ye truly humble and let your outward garb and conduct be a proof of the humility of your hearts. In this sense our Lord, it appears, uses the word, Luke 22:26.īe subject one to another - Strive all to serve each other let the pastors strive to serve the people, and the people the pastors and let there be no contention, but who shall do most to oblige and profit all the rest.īe clothed with humility - To be clothed with a thing or person is a Greek mode of speech for being that thing or person with which a man is said to be clothed. Likewise, ye younger - νεωτεροι probably means here inferiors, or those not in sacred offices and may be understood as referring to the people at large who are called to obey them that have the rule over them in the Lord. Perhaps this is the same Mark mentioned as Barnabas’s cousin in Col 4:10, a co-worker with Paul in Phlm 24 (see also 2 Tm 4:11).ī. Mark, my son: traditionally a prominent disciple of Peter and co-worker at the church in Rome, perhaps the John Mark referred to in Acts 12:12, 25 13:5, 13 and in Acts 15:37– 39, a companion of Barnabas.
* The chosen one: feminine, referring to the Christian community ( ekklēsia) at Babylon, the code name for Rome in Rev 14:8 17:5 18:2. On Silvanus’s possible role as amanuensis, see Introduction. Jews and Jewish Christians, like Paul, often had a Hebrew name (Saoul, Silas) and a Greek or Latin name (Paul, Silvanus). * Silvanus: the companion of Paul (see 2 Cor 1:19 1 Thes 1:1 2 Thes 1:1). * Younger members: this may be a designation for office-holders of lesser rank. They will be strengthened and called to eternal glory ( 1 Pt 5:10– 11).
With sobriety, alertness, and steadfast faith they must resist the evil one their sufferings are shared with Christians everywhere ( 1 Pt 5:8– 9). * The community is to be subject to the presbyters and to show humility toward one another and trust in God’s love and care ( 1 Pt 5:5– 7). * Presbyters: the officially appointed leaders and teachers of the Christian community (cf. * In imitation of Christ, the chief shepherd, those entrusted with a pastoral office are to tend the flock by their care and example. Remain firm in it.ġ3The chosen one * at Babylon sends you greeting, as does Mark, my son.ġ4Greet one another with a loving kiss. Amen.ġ2I write you this briefly through Silvanus, * whom I consider a faithful brother, exhorting you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. f 9Resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that your fellow believers throughout the world undergo the same sufferings.ġ0The God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory through Christ will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you after you have suffered a little. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for to devour. d 7Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for:ĦSo humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. * 5Likewise, you younger members, * be subject to the presbyters. a 3Do not lord it over those assigned to you, but be examples to the flock.Ĥ b And when the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. * 1So I exhort the presbyters * among you, as a fellow presbyter and witness to the sufferings of Christ and one who has a share in the glory to be revealed.ĢTend the flock of God in your midst, not by constraint but willingly, as God would have it, not for shameful profit but eagerly.