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Copyright © L. L. Griffith, 1996. ISBN 0-929554-15-9. This document may be reproduced in whole or in part provided that this copyright notice is reproduced on each copy made.
Email: <lelgee@voicenet.com>Isn't there a natural rivalry between the younger and the older? Sometimes this unnatural rivalry to the life in Christ carries over into the ecclesial life. And are not the elder men and older women sometimes loathe to delegate an authority to those who are younger; and, probably in health and vigor, more able to supervise an office? The flesh is greedy! But, as experience progresses and understanding increases in the younger ones, our natural selves and feelings must be sacrificed - cut off - for the sake of fellowship in Christ's sufferings.
1 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 elders, 4245. Presbuteros; the older men. The elders of the churches were apparently patterned after the office of the elders of the temple and the synagogues. The earliest mention of the elders in the churches occurs in Acts 14:23, and then, in Paul's letters to Titus and to Timothy; and in the letters of John and James. From among these older men the rule of the ecclesias was obviously appointed. It is worthy to note that, despite the qualifications of holiness which were written centuries ago for our guidance in choosing an "elder," that some have departed from the exercise of these rules of Scriptural wisdom in these last days. Both Peter and Paul were appointed as "elders" by divine instruction; the other apostles surely too were chosen to become "elders" among the disciples of Jesus Christ.
Which are among, 1722. En: in. In the churches of the provinces of Asia Minor.
You I exhort, 3870. Parakaleo; usually translated as beseech, comfort and then as exhort.
Who, 3588. The article the. Peter is saying, "The elder men within you I beg you, as a co-elder..,
Am (also) an elder, 4850. Sumpresbuteros; literally, a co-elderly man. The basis for his plea is stated next.
And a witness, 3144. Even as one who can personally testify to the truth as an eye witness; an observer of Jesus; not a testimony by hearsay...
Of the sufferings, 3804. See before, under 1 Peter 4:13.
Of Christ, 5547. See before also, under 1 Peter 4:13.
And also, 2532. In addition to being a witness of the Lord's ministry, he was one of the three chosen apostles to be shown the glory in which the Christ will be revealed. (In addition to Matthew, Mark and Luke, the writings of the New Testament are comprised mostly of the letters of Paul and Jude, and then of James, Peter and John, the three who witnessed the Lord's transformation into the glorious light. ...Does not the selection of their writings say something honorable about the men who wrote the epistles?)
A partaker, 2844. Koinonos; one having a part in (a thing). First, the partaking is a condition of promise, a matter of hope, a lifetime work of faith; second, the actual partaking will not occur until the end of all things, in the resurrection of the dead in Christ.
Glory, 1391. The light of the glory and the other glorious (things) of the inheritance in the Light, all promised by the Word of the LORD through the utterance of the Lord Jesus Christ.
That shall be, 3195. Mello: is expected to; is about to; to come about or going to (happen). Not an expression of futurity but of approach, the word acts only as a directional pointer for its verb.
Revealed, 601. Apokalupto; to reveal. Peter has just stated that as an elder and as an eye witness of Christ, he also has a part in the expected glory coming in the revelation of the Lord's "day."
"Behold, he comes with the clouds, and every eye shall see him, even they which pierced him and all the tribes of the earth shall wail over him. Yea, amen."
Just as the Hebrew nation was cut off for unbelief, so too God has proposed to cut off the Gentiles when they fall into the same state of unbelief of the Christ. How quickly and so easily has the lesson of Romans 11:25-26 been forgotten by the Gentiles chosen from among the nations!
Hear what he says:
2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight [thereof], not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind.
Feed, 4165. Poimaino; to search out good pasture for food. Tend.
The flock, 4168. Poimnion. This word is closely related to 4165.
Of God, 2316. The verse seems to say, Tend the tended of God...
Which is among, 1722. En; in, within the churches of Asia Minor.
Taking the oversight, 1983. Episkopeo; to oversee; to watch over.
Constraint, 317. Not to be compelled or under pressure to serve.
But willingly, 1596. But as a hearty volunteer...
Not for filthy lucre, 147. Not so as to receive praises from men nor for wages as a hireling shepherd who flees at the first sign of danger to the flock.
But of a ready (mind), 4290. Prothumos; with alacrity, with enthusiasm. The work of the oversight, then, is to be done by an elder, voluntarily, who has an enthusiasm for the work of God! The qualifications of such a bishop (1983) are briefly listed by Paul in 1 Timothy 3:1-13, and in their entirety in Titus. They are included in the New Testament writings for a purpose: that they should be followed as examples of conduct commanded for the oversight. There is no "member" nor any "part" of the Lord's body that is excluded from submission to these guidelines. Without full obedience to guidance, the body will not function as well as the Lord wills it to work. Enthusiasm to work is necessary in every part of the body. [The word "mind" is a gloss by the translators, pointing no doubt to the required "mind of Christ" in every worker.]
3 Neither as being lords over [God's] heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
Neither, 3366. Not acting as a negative authority.
As being lords over, 2634. Katakurieuo; to exercise lordship toward; to bring under one's (personal) power. Ahh, how often this seems to occur. The final downfall of the Jewish nation resulted from the activites of the elders and the Pharisees, etc., who lorded their personal powers over the people - whom they claimed were accursed on account of their ignorance of the Law - but of the Law which they should have themselves been true masters!
Heritage, 2819. Kleros: the lots; the portions, the parts of the Godly oversight which are to be shared by the elders. The casting for the lot was a practice used in the very early ecclesias in the choice of the serving brethren. The lot was not decided from any group of men, (nor from an ecclesial election) - but by the drawing of the marker from amongst the lots by the elders who were determined eligible - qualified as per Scripture - for the office. See the word list of 2819. Perhaps the practice should be reinstated in the assemblies of Jesus Christ?
But being, 1096.
Ensamples, 5179. Tupos; types or figures of Jesus Christ. Because of this definition, the translators rendered 2819 as the heritage of God. But in so doing the work also served to hide the true method of selecting the bishops.
The flock, 4168. See above. The individual members of the church which is to be tended.
4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
And when the chief shepherd, 750. Archpoimen; the "chief-tender" Jesus Christ, the lamb of God, although "chief" seems to imply also to the Father. For, "our God is a consuming Fire..."
Shall appear, 5319. Greek: phaneroo; to make visible; to make known. When we are gathered together to see God and to be invested with the glories promised, (as Moses pleaded for His sight).
Ye shall receive, 2865. To accept (the gifts) that have been given. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life," per John 3:16. See 1 Peter 1:9; "Receiving the end of your faith, [even] the salvation of [your] souls."
A crown, 4735. The unfading crown of the Light... The stephan; the garland given as a prize to winners of the race. Study Matthew 3:11-12 in its context of "the harvest."
Glory, 1391. As above, verse one. The splendor of the Consuming Fire's Everlasting Light which shall be placed upon the head, as the garland was bestowed...
Fadeth not away, 262. Amarantinos. An adjective used only once in the N.T., named for the flower, the amaranth, because it never withers or fades and when plucked off, revives if moistened with water. The evergreen stephan then represents the splendor of the Light which shall never fade away once it is placed on the victor's head.
5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all [of you] be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
Likewise, 3668. In like manner...
Ye younger, 3501. The younger (men and women)...
Submit, 5293. To place (yourself) in subjection under. This command has been repeated in different forms throughout the Epistle. Submission, which is obedience to authority, is a chief concern for instruction at all levels of the community.
Yourselves unto the elder, 4245. To the elect older brethren per verse one.
Yea, 1161. De; most often as but and, and.
All, 3956. Everybody!
Be subject, 5293. See comment just above. Submission to a peer is a problem for everyone to work at. Peter offers the tool for the work.., humility.
One to another, 240. Be mutually agreeable, reciprocal. A peer is one who shares equal favors in the realm of the kingdom.
Be clothed, 1463. Egkomboomai. To tie together as one.
With humility, 5012. Not just a humility put on outwardly but a humility of the mind. Nor is humility to be extended selectively to others...
For God, 2316. "For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to a division of life and breath, of [penetrating to] both joints and marrows, and a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the mind; and there is no creature not appearing before him, for all things are laid naked and opened to the eyes of Him with Whom is our speech," Hebrews 4:12. For, we are to be judged for the words of our mouth...
Resisteth, 498. Antitassomai. The Almighty GOD, in His manifestation as Yahweh T'Savaoth -- the Lord of the armies of the heavens -- ranges His forces in battle against...
The proud, 5244. Huperephanos. From 5228 and 5316; literally, one who shines above all others. Pride, the saying is, comes before the fall.
Giveth, 1325. To give; to produce (a judgment) for.
Grace, 5485. Charis; favor. An extension of "good-will to men."
To the humble, 5011. To the persons who hold themselves lower; who, in the right way of Christ, defer to others. The condition is related to the state of 5012, just noted above; to those who mind their own "business" in the Lord. ...Perhaps it should be noted here, that when an ecclesia has a goodly number of humble members, it is often a time when the proud member elects to show his prowess by displaying a show of "lordship." This is the time when the faithful elders - male or female - must exercise their wisdom and discretion together so that there is no damage done to the flock.
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
Humble yourselves, 5013. This is the verb of 5011 in verse five; but addressed to the younger...
Therefore, 3767. So as to be not found fighting against God; a rebel.
Under, 5259. Hupo. By, or under.
Mighty, 2900. Kratos; the power in might; strength.
Hand, 5495. of God, 2316. In the O.T. the expression "hand of God" is a Hebraism for strength. Peter wishes the younger ones to place themselves fully under the full strength of God and His powers.
That, 2443. So that.
He may exalt, 5312. Hupsoo. To lift up higher, so, to be elevated by God, and not from the fawning works of men. The younger will grow older and wiser; as time marches on, their season as elders will come.
In due time, 2540. Kairos; a shorter, fixed measure of a greater time.
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Casting, 1977. To quickly throw; to cast.
All, 3956. Your, 5216.
Care, 3308. Anxiety, or distracting things; cares.
For he careth, 3199. Melo; to take care about; loving concern.
For you. The picture presented displays somewhat like a watchman who quickly reports any disturbance or distraction around his post so that his commander may respond with an appropriate action. See Matt. 6:31-34.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Be sober, 3525. Nepho: To be calm and collected in spirit, as in 1 Peter 1:13.
Be vigilant, 1127. Watch; pay strict attention. To what? Their "conversation" among the peoples where they lived.
Because, 3754. Your, 5216.
Adversary, 476. The antidikos is the other fellow in a court case. The opponent; a legal term. --- Not at all related to the popular doctrines concerned with the devil, of Satan, or the double-mind. --- The adversaries of the "strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia" are attached to the legal court system of those lands which were overruled from Rome. ...If a man must suffer, then let him suffer as a Christian, because with God there is the hope of life eternal.
The devil, 1228. Diabolos; the false accuser; the slanderer; those set against the Christian sect... Peter compares these adversaries to hungry lions, as ready to pounce upon unsuspecting prey.
As a roaring, 5612. To roar or to howl.
Lion, 3023. The false accuser is compared to the lion.
Walketh about, 4043. The opponent which walks about roaring, is like a lion, surveying the territory which he claims as his exclusive domain!
Seeking, 2212. Zeteo; seeking in order to find. The verb indicates that people were being searched for on the basis of suspicion.
Whom, 5101. Whoever he finds...
Devour, 2666. Katapino; to drink down; to swallow up. Although, lions must break and chew before swallowing. The verb, katapino, indicates more the way in which a serpent consumes its prey.
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
Whom, 3739. Which, meaning the false accusers who go about to bring Christians to trial and death.
Resist, 436. To withstand; to be opposed. David did so with a lion; also a bear!
Stedfast, 4731. With a strong stance. This means knowing the Scriptures and having the ability to rightly expound them, as did Stephen.
The faith, 4102. The faith in Jesus Christ as the Messiah of Israel and the nation restored under its king. This accusation was part of the charge which the Jewish leaders put to the Roman authorities when they asked for the death penalty against Christ, hoping to persuade Rome that he was likely to lead a rebellion against Rome, and was therefore a very dangerous man to let live. Labeled as a party of seditionists, not until Constantine's rule were the Christians recognized as a legitimate sect of religion.
Giving legal status to the perverted form of Christianity defeated the purpose of God's love toward all men. It removed the liberty for voluntary obedience to God's commandments, and instead gave a license for sin to abound once more.
This same ploy is likely to be used against the "two witnesses" in the last days, when the lion's mouth is again employed on the side of error from "the faith."
Knowing, 1492. To see; to have a perception through the knowledge of the gospel concerning Christ's sufferings.
That the same, 846. The trial of one's faith; the like experiences...
Afflictions, 3804. Elsewhere in the Epistle translated as sufferings.
Are accomplished, 2005. Epiteleo. The same sufferings mature over - are completed on - all who are called to partake in the name of Christ.
Your brethren, 81. Adelphotes; "your brotherhood." In the persecution of the Christians by the Jewish leaders which remained opposed to the gospel of Christ; and, under the Roman law which did not yet recognize "Christians" as a permitted Roman religion.
That are in the world, 2889. The known habitable regions. Nero did not burn only Christians in the fire. Other suspected violators of Roman law were brought to trials; and many were burned at the stake as "Roman candles." All Jews were generally suspect of treasonable intentions. See Fox's Book of Martyrs.
10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle [you].
But the God, 2316. The Father.
Of all, 3956. Pas; every, all.
Grace, 5485. His merciful kindness which looks with favor towards men through Christ.
Who, 3588. It is the Father's decision in the exercise of His will...
Hath called us, 2564. Kaleo; to call, to invite by name.
Unto his eternal, 166. Aionios; eternal, everlasting.
Glory, 1391. Doxa; the glory of the living manner of God; the Light.
By Christ, 5547. Christos; anointed. Jesus, 2424. Iesous; savior. The appearance of the "eternal glory in Jesus Christ" was shown to James, Peter and John, on the Mt. of the Transfiguration. This is Peter's reminder that he was an eye witness of the glory of the now perfected Christ Jesus.
After that ye have suffered, 3958. By undergoing the appointed trials of faith.
A while, 3641. Oligos; a few, a little; briefly. The phrase, for "a little while" occurs often in both Testaments of the Holy Scriptures, and is most often applied to a specific time...
Make you perfect, 2675. Katartizo; to perfect, to fix with the intent of strengthening the underlying arrangement; in body and flesh, in self and spirit, accounted to be clean, to be holy, to be pure in the sight of God, the Father, through the sufferings and the blood of the Lord, Jesus Christ.
Stablish, 4741. Sterizo; to establish, to make firm.
Strengthen, 4599. Sthenoo; to make strong, to invigorate.
Settle you, 2311. Themelioo; to found, to make stable.
Peter uses these four different words with closely interrelated meanings in order to get his point across. God will, because of His mercy, make you as strong as Christ has been made by the Father!
11 To him [be] glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
To him [be] glory, 1391. As above.
And dominion, 2904. Kratos; power, as in pankratos: the Almighty.
For ever and ever, 165. In the age of the ages. Forever. Eternally.
Amen, 281. The Hebrew affirmative word of agreement.
12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.
By Silvanus, 4610. A Roman citizen, companion of Paul on several missions.
A faithful, 4103. One who has been proven trustworthy.
Brother, 80. Either an elder or younger man, associated too with Peter.
Unto you. Among the churches of Asia Minor. (A period ought to appear here to close the signature by Silvanus.)
As I suppose, 3049. Logazomai; to think, to impute, to reckon. This sentence is unfortunately joined by a comma, so that the reader is led to suppose that the faith of Silvanus might be suspect by Peter, but that certainly is not the case. Silvanus is either the amanuensis or the letter carrier.
Peter has put forth in the gist of his letter, what he thinks, imputes, and reckons "is the true grace of God in which (we) stand." Ye, whom he addresses, being the elders of the churches, as ordained by the apostles of Jesus Christ.
I have written, 1125. Grapho; to write; to cause to write.
Briefly, 3641. Oligos, as in v. 10, "a little (bit)," "a few (words)." He has set down the basic rules of conduct for the church. Peter's Epistles are brief (like those of other N.T. letter writers) in comparison to the longer writings.
Exhorting, 3870. Parakaleo; first translated as beseech, comfort; and then as exhort. The word was introduced in verse one.
Testifying, 1957. Epimartureo; to give witness upon the matter, or above prior testimony. He has spoken his mind on the subject.
That this, 5026. This testimony of what he says in the letter.
The true, 227. Alethes; the true.
Grace of God, 5485. Peter has elaborated the true merciful kindness of God Who looks with favor toward all men in order to save their lives from His coming wrath against the ungodly. The epistle's message is therefore the good and true basis for everyone in the ecclesia to use to maintain a godly stance against all oppositions to the faith in Jesus Christ.
Wherein, 1519. Eis. Toward or into (the path).
Ye stand, 2476. Histemi. This stand is an immovable stance or a position that is taken as a result of a good understanding of God's Word. As the angel told Daniel, without failure "...you shall stand up in your lot at the end of the (1,260, 1,290, 1,335) days." "Blessed are they..."
13 The [church that is] at Babylon, elected together with [you], saluteth you; and [so doth] Marcus my son.
The [church that is] at, 1722. En; in.
Babylon, 897. The province of Babylon, like the province of Damascus, had the same name as its capital city. Whether Peter meant "pilgrims scattered abroad" in Babylon, the province, or in the city is not ascertainable from his writing. Some suppose that Peter wrote Babylon as a code word for the city of Rome. But if Nero was avidly burning Christians in the fire in Rome, the city, it is unlikely that Peter was voluntarily living there, much less writing letters from there, unless he was awaiting his trial of the faith, by fire. Tradition indeed says that he died at Rome a martyr, but not by a death from Nero's fire.
Elected together, 4899.
Saluteth you, 782.
And Marcus, 3138. My son, 5207. His presence with Peter - in Rome - is puzzling. Robert Young, Analytical Concordance to the Holy Bible, records that this Mark was either "a son, or disciple of Peter, said to have written the second Gospel." An examination of the texts where Mark is mentioned -- whether he was or was not Peter's son -- shows that the two men - in the experience of youthful immaturity indeed were marked by the same impulsive and rash manner. Could this familiar fault be one motivation for Peter's subsequent maturity in Christ, and a basis for his consequent insistence in this Epistle upon the value of having a "good conversation among the nations?" For, three times he had denied his Lord before the Jewish leaders...
14 Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace [be] with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Greet ye, 782. Aspazomai; usually translated as salute. The second choice is greet.
One another, 240. Having a mutual regard together.
With a kiss, 5370. Philema; from whence comes the name of Philemon, a Colossian, who was addressed as "dearly beloved" by Paul. The "kiss" is not a mouth-to-mouth contact, but an embrace of joy and gladness such as was demonstrated by the father of the Prodigal Son.
Charity, 26. Agape; love, the love of God's affection for mankind. This writer, having lived with a Jewish family during college years, was quite surprised to discover that the method of greeting which prevailed then among her Jewish acquaintances was also the same "kiss of charity" which was practised by the ecclesia - Philadelphia - in which she first became a member of Christ. Now she is surprised that the same "kiss of charity" is rarely seen in expression among Christadelphians. Do we no longer love one another as we ought? Have we lost our inward Jewishness?
Peace, 1515. Eirene; a state of things where there is no negative activity; a harmonious atmosphere.
[Be] with you all, 3956. All those to whom the letter is written.
That are in Christ, 5547. Jesus, 2424. Among these people scattered abroad in Asia Minor, this peace is commended to those "who are in Christ Jesus," for it is the individual's responsibility to work out his own salvation and to confirm his calling to the adoption, and to be at peace with every one of his neighbors!
Amen, 281. So be it. This is Peter's closing word to his First Epistle. While the lesson may be short; the learning of it will take a little while longer than the simple reading of it!