So 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. 2 Tend the flock of God in your midst, [overseeing] not by constraint but willingly, as God would have it, not for shameful profit but eagerly. 3 Do not lord it over those assigned to you, but be examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 5 Likewise, you younger members, be subject to the presbyters. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for: “God opposes the proud but bestows favor on the humble.” 6 So humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. 7 Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you. 8 Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for [someone] to devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that your fellow believers throughout the world undergo the same sufferings. 10 The God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory through Christ [Jesus] will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you after you have suffered a little. 11 To him be dominion forever. Amen.
Peter addressed the Jewish Christians living outside of Palestine. The presbyters were the appointed leaders and teachers of the early Christian communities. The presbyters were also to pray for and anoint the sick so they may be healed, and their sins forgiven (Jas. 5:14-15). At this early stage of the Church, the presbyters were using a pastoral leadership model from contemporary Judaism. Peter identified with the Presbyters because he, like them, had no model to follow after Christ ascended. He encouraged the elders not to be domineering but to willingly feed their flock (Jn. 21:15-17) and exhibit exemplary leadership and love that will sustain the flock through persecution. As a witness to the sufferings of Christ which opened the door to eternal life for Christians, he acknowledged their shared participation in Christ’s suffering as well as in the glory that is to be revealed (1 Pt. 4:13). He witnessed the glory to be revealed in Jesus’ transfiguration (Mt. 17:1-8). Presbyters were paid so Peter warned them against focusing on the money instead of tending the flock. They must be examples to the flock and faithfully shepherd them and when Christ returns they will receive “the unfading crown of glory.”
The younger church leaders should obey the Presbyters and be humble when dealing with each other because God favors the lowly (Prov. 3:34). They must rely totally on God and accept God’s discipline so that in due time he can exalt them (Jas. 4:6-10). They must cast all their worries upon the Lord (Ps. 55:23) and stay alert and sober (1 Thess. 5:6) so they can escape the snares of the devil who prowls around like a lion (Ps. 22:14). Christians everywhere were being persecuted. Peter exhorted them to persevere in the faith because God’s grace will strengthen them through their trials which will perfect them (Rom. 8:18). God has called them to his eternal dominion and glory through Christ.
Almighty God, strengthen us so that we may hold fast to your message in all humility and keep the precepts you have given us. Help us to cast our worries upon you, and let no trials disturb us as we await your eternal glory. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen!
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References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
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