Shepherding the Flock, Humility, and Standing Firm
1 Peter 5:1-11
1Pet.5.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Πρεσβυτερους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- ουν: CONJ
- εν: PREP
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- παρακαλω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- συμπρεσβυτερος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- μαρτυς: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- παθηματων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- μελλουσης: VERB,pres,act,part,gen,sg,f
- αποκαλυπτεσθαι: VERB,pres,pass,inf
- δοξης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- κοινωνος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 20:17-31 (structural): Paul summons the elders of Ephesus and gives a pastoral charge—parallels Peter’s opening exhortation to the elders and his role as a fellow elder addressing pastoral responsibilities.
- Titus 1:5-9 (thematic): Instructions about appointing and qualifying elders/overseers; parallels the focus on eldership and pastoral leadership in Peter’s address.
- 1 Timothy 5:17 (thematic): Teaching about honoring elders who labor in preaching and teaching; relates to Peter’s exhortation to those who hold eldership and leadership duties.
- Romans 8:17 (thematic): Speaks of being heirs with Christ and sharing in his sufferings so as to share in his glory—parallels Peter’s claim to be a fellow sharer in Christ’s sufferings and future glory.
- 1 Peter 4:13 (verbal): Speaks of rejoicing as participants in Christ’s sufferings that you may also rejoice at the revelation of his glory—language and theology closely mirror 5:1’s witness of Christ’s sufferings and participation in coming glory.
Alternative generated candidates
- I appeal to the elders among you: I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a sharer in the glory that is to be revealed,
- Therefore I exhort the elders among you: I who am also an elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a sharer in the glory about to be revealed,
1Pet.5.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ποιμανατε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- εν: PREP
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- ποιμνιον: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- επισκοπουντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- μη: PART
- αναγκαστως: ADV
- αλλα: CONJ
- εκουσιως: ADV
- κατα: PREP
- θεον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- μηδε: CONJ
- αισχροκερδως: ADV
- αλλα: CONJ
- προθυμως: ADV
Parallels
- Acts 20:28 (verbal): Paul charges the elders to 'shepherd the church of God' and 'keep watch'—language and pastoral oversight parallel Peter's ποιμανατε and ἐπισκοποῦντες.
- John 21:15-17 (thematic): Jesus' repeated command to Peter to 'feed my lambs/sheep' supplies the foundational pastoral motif (care, feeding, shepherding) behind Peter's exhortation.
- 1 Timothy 3:3 (verbal): Qualification for overseers: 'not greedy for dishonest gain' parallels Peter's μηδε αἰσχροκερδῶς—prohibiting financial motives for ministry.
- Titus 1:7 (verbal): An overseer is 'God’s steward' and must not be 'self-willed' or 'greedy'—echoes Peter's insistence on willing, God‑centered service rather than compulsion or covetousness.
- Hebrews 13:17 (thematic): Believers are urged to obey and submit to leaders who 'watch for your souls'—reflects the pastoral responsibility of oversight and care emphasized by Peter.
Alternative generated candidates
- tend the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight willingly, not under compulsion, and not for dishonest gain but eagerly;
- shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight—not under compulsion, but willingly; not for shameful gain, but eagerly;
1Pet.5.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- μηδ᾽ως: PART
- κατακυριευοντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- κληρων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- αλλα: CONJ
- τυποι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- γινομενοι: VERB,pres,mp,part,nom,pl,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- ποιμνιου·: NOUN,gen,sg,n
Parallels
- Mark 10:42-45 (thematic): Jesus contrasts those who 'lord it over' others with servant leadership—directly parallels the prohibition against domineering the flock and the call to serve.
- Matthew 20:25-28 (thematic): Jesus teaches that greatness is found in servanthood rather than lording authority—echoes the instruction not to dominate but to serve as an example.
- Acts 20:28-31 (structural): Paul charges elders to 'shepherd' the church and warns against domineering or being misled—parallels pastoral responsibility and opposition to authoritarian rule.
- John 13:12-17 (thematic): Jesus' foot-washing as an example of humble service models the kind of leadership 'by example' (τύποι) that Peter commends.
- Hebrews 13:7 (allusion): Believers are told to remember and imitate their leaders' faith and conduct—reflects the idea of leaders as examples rather than rulers.
Alternative generated candidates
- not as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but being examples to the flock.
- nor as lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
1Pet.5.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- φανερωθεντος: VERB,aor,pass,part,gen,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- αρχιποιμενος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- κομιεισθε: VERB,fut,mid,ind,2,pl
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- αμαραντινον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- δοξης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- στεφανον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 9:25 (verbal): Uses the image of a crown (stephanos) that is imperishable/unfading—parallels 1 Pet 5:4’s 'amaranthine crown' language and contrast with perishable rewards.
- 2 Timothy 4:8 (thematic): Speaks of a crown of righteousness reserved 'for me...and for all who have loved his appearing'—connects the reward (crown) with the Lord’s appearing (cf. 'when the Chief Shepherd is revealed').
- James 1:12 (thematic): Promises a 'crown of life' to those who persevere under trial—thematises endurance and a future crowning reward like 1 Pet 5:4’s crown given at the revelation of the Shepherd.
- 1 Peter 1:4 (structural): Earlier in the same epistle the writer describes an inheritance 'imperishable, undefiled, and unfading'—the language and eschatological hope echo the 'amaranthine crown of glory' of 1 Pet 5:4.
Alternative generated candidates
- And when the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
- And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the imperishable crown of glory.
1Pet.5.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ομοιως: ADV
- νεωτεροι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- υποταγητε: VERB,aor,pass,imp,2,pl
- πρεσβυτεροις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- παντες: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- αλληλοις: PRON,dat,pl,m
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- ταπεινοφροσυνην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εγκομβωσασθε: VERB,aor,mid,imp,2,pl
- οτι: CONJ
- Ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- θεος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- υπερηφανοις: ADJ,dat,pl,m
- αντιτασσεται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,sg
- ταπεινοις: ADJ,dat,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- διδωσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- χαριν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- James 4:6 (verbal): Uses essentially the same wording—'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble'—showing a near-verbal NT parallel that echoes the same proverbal saying.
- Proverbs 3:34 (quotation): The underlying proverb cited in the NT: the wisdom tradition states God scorns the proud but gives grace to the humble, which 1 Pet 5:5 alludes to.
- Colossians 3:12 (verbal): Both passages employ clothing imagery ('put on/clothe yourselves') to exhort believers to adopt humility as an ethical garment among other virtues.
- Philippians 2:3 (thematic): Shares the same ethical demand for humility toward others—'do nothing from selfish ambition... but in humility count others more significant than yourselves'—resonating with 1 Pet's call to mutual humility.
Alternative generated candidates
- Likewise, all of you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another; for God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.
- Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.
1Pet.5.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Ταπεινωθητε: VERB,aor,pass,imp,2,pl
- ουν: CONJ
- υπο: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- κραταιαν: ADJ,gen,sg,f
- χειρα: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ινα: CONJ
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
- υψωση: VERB,aor,act,sub,3,sg
- εν: PREP
- καιρω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- 1 Peter 5:5 (verbal): Same epistle: echoes the contrast between pride and humility and God’s favor toward the humble (‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble’).
- James 4:10 (verbal): Directly parallels the exhortation and promise—‘Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.’
- Luke 18:14 (quotation): Jesus’ teaching in the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector: ‘Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.’
- Matthew 23:12 (quotation): A closely related saying of Jesus: whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted—same exaltation-by-God motif.
- Philippians 2:8-9 (structural): Christ’s self-humbling and subsequent divine exaltation exemplify the pattern underlying the exhortation that God will exalt the humble in due time.
Alternative generated candidates
- Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time,
- Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.
1Pet.5.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- πασαν: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- μεριμναν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- επιριψαντες: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,pl,m
- επ᾽αυτον: PREP+PRON,acc,sg,3,m
- οτι: CONJ
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- μελει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- περι: PREP
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
Parallels
- Psalm 55:22 (verbal): Direct verbal parallel—'Cast your burden on the LORD' closely mirrors 'cast all your anxieties on him'; both promise God's sustaining/caring response.
- Matthew 6:25-34 (thematic): Jesus' teaching 'Do not be anxious' about life and God's provision parallels Peter's command to relinquish worries to God's care.
- Philippians 4:6-7 (thematic): Paul's injunction 'Do not be anxious about anything' and the promise of God's peace resonates with Peter's call to cast anxieties on God because he cares.
- Matthew 11:28-30 (thematic): Jesus' invitation to the weary to come to him for rest echoes the pastoral assurance that believers can transfer burdens to God and find care/relief.
- Psalm 37:5 (thematic): 'Commit your way to the LORD' shares the theme of entrusting one's cares to God and relying on his faithful care and action on behalf of the righteous.
Alternative generated candidates
- casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
- Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares for you.
1Pet.5.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- νηψατε: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,pl
- γρηγορησατε: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,pl
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- αντιδικος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- διαβολος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ως: ADV
- λεων: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ωρυομενος: PART,pres,mp,nom,sg,m
- περιπατει: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,sg
- ζητων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- τινα: PRON,acc,sg,m
- καταπιειν·: VERB,pres,act,inf
Parallels
- 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8 (verbal): Uses the same exhortation to 'watch' and 'be sober' (νήψατε/γρηγορεῖτε), calling for vigilance and sober-mindedness in the face of spiritual danger.
- Ephesians 6:11-12 (thematic): Frames the Christian life as spiritual warfare against invisible hostile powers; like 1 Pet 5:8 it identifies a non‑human adversary and calls for preparedness.
- James 4:7 (thematic): Directs believers to 'resist the devil'—complementary instruction to 1 Peter's warning about the devil prowling and seeking to devour.
- Psalm 22:13 (MT/LXX 22:13) (allusion): Employs similar imagery of a 'roaring, ravening lion' threatening to devour its prey; an Old Testament background for the lion metaphor in 1 Peter.
- Revelation 12:9-10 (thematic): Identifies the Devil as a cosmic, deceptive adversary (dragon/serpent/accuser) whose presence threatens the community—paralleling Peter's depiction of the devil as an active, predatory opponent.
Alternative generated candidates
- Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
- Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
1Pet.5.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- αντιστητε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- στερεοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- πιστει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- ειδοτες: PTCP,perf,act,nom,pl,m
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- αυτα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- παθηματων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- κοσμω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- αδελφοτητι: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- επιτελεισθαι: VERB,pres,mid/pass,inf
Parallels
- James 4:7 (verbal): Both exhort believers to 'resist' the devil; James explicitly commands resistance as the means to overcome the evil one, matching the immediate context of 1 Pet 5:8–9.
- Ephesians 6:13-14 (thematic): Calls believers to 'stand firm' and take up spiritual armor in the face of spiritual hostility—parallels 1 Pet 5:9's call to stand firm in the faith against the adversary.
- 1 Peter 4:12-13 (structural): Same author and letter: both passages frame suffering as the expected experience of the Christian community and encourage perseverance and rejoicing in participation in Christ's sufferings.
- Philippians 1:29 (thematic): Affirms that suffering for Christ is a grace granted to believers, echoing 1 Pet 5:9's affirmation that the community shares in sufferings in the world.
- Romans 8:17-18 (thematic): Speaks of believers sharing in Christ's sufferings as co-heirs and places present suffering in the context of future glory, resonating with 1 Pet 5:9's portrayal of communal suffering as part of the Christian vocation.
Alternative generated candidates
- Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that your fellow believers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.
- Resist him, standing firm in the faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being fulfilled among your brothers throughout the world.
1Pet.5.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- θεος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- πασης: ADJ,gen,sg,f
- χαριτος: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- καλεσας: VERB,aor,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
- εις: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- αιωνιον: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- δοξαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- Χριστω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- ολιγον: ADV
- παθοντας: PART,aor,act,acc,pl,m
- αυτος: PRON,nom,sg,3,m
- καταρτισει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- στηριξει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- σθενωσει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- θεμελιωσει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Romans 8:18 (thematic): Contrasts present suffering with future glory — present affliction is temporary compared with the eternal glory to be revealed, paralleling 'called you to his eternal glory... after you have suffered a little while.'
- Philippians 1:6 (thematic): Affirms God's ongoing work in believers — 'he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion,' echoing the promise that God himself will restore, strengthen, and establish his people.
- James 1:2-4 (thematic): Links trials to spiritual maturation — encountering trials produces perseverance and leads to completeness, resonating with suffering a little while leading to restoration and establishment by God.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:24 (verbal): Similar language of calling and God's faithfulness — 'He who calls you is faithful, and he will do it' parallels the assertion that the God who called you will himself restore and establish you.
- Jude 24-25 (allusion): Doxological close that attributes keeping, presenting, and glory to God — echoes the doxology tone and the theme of God's power to perfect and preserve those he calls.
Alternative generated candidates
- And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace—who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ—will himself restore you, confirm you, strengthen you, and establish you.
- And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace—who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ—will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
1Pet.5.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- κρατος: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- εις: PREP
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- αιωνας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- αιωνων·αμην: NOUN,gen,pl,m+INTJ
Parallels
- Jude 1:24-25 (verbal): A doxology that closely parallels 1 Peter's closing line—attributes glory/majesty/dominion to God and ends with 'forever and ever. Amen.'; shares key vocabulary (dominion/forever/Amen).
- Revelation 1:6 (verbal): Explicitly ascribes 'glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen' to Christ/God, echoing the exact formula of eternal dominion and the Amen closing.
- Ephesians 3:21 (structural): A Pauline doxology using the same silhouette—'to him be glory...forever and ever. Amen'—showing the standard early Christian liturgical ending employed by 1 Peter.
- 1 Timothy 1:17 (thematic): Ascribes eternal honor and glory to the 'King eternal' with the closing 'for ever and ever. Amen,' reflecting the same theological emphasis on God's eternal rule and a doxological conclusion.
- Romans 11:36 (thematic): Shorter doxology ('To him be the glory for ever. Amen') that parallels 1 Peter's ascription of eternal glory/dominion to God and the Amen closure.
Alternative generated candidates
- To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
- To him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Therefore I exhort the elders among you: as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ's sufferings, and a sharer in the glory that is to be revealed, I urge you to shepherd the flock of God in your midst.
Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight—not under compulsion, but willingly; not for shameful gain, but eagerly;
nor as domineering over those in your charge, but by being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
Likewise, you who are younger, submit yourselves to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you at the proper time.
Cast all your anxieties upon him, for he cares for you.
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brothers throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
To him be the dominion for ever and ever. Amen.