1 PETER CHAPTER 5 1 Peter 5:1-4 The elders are exhorted to feed the flock of Christ conscientiously, looking to the chief Shepherd for a reward. 1 Peter 5:5 The younger are required to submit to the elder, and all to practise humility toward each other, 1 Peter 5:6,7 with resignation to God, 1 Peter 5:8,9 to be sober, watchful, and stedfast in the faith, resisting the devil. 1 Peter 5:10-14 The Epistle is concluded with a prayer and benediction. The elders which are among you I exhort; viz. those that were such, not so much by age as by office, as appears by his exhorting them to feed the flock, 1 Peter 5:2; he means the ordinary ministers of the churches among the believing Jews. Who am also an elder: elder is a general name, comprehending under it even apostles themselves, who were elders, though every elder were not an apostle. And a witness; either:
1. In his doctrine, in which he held forth Christ's sufferings, whereof he had been an eye-witness, in which respect the apostles are often called witnesses, Luke 24:48 Acts 1:8,22 Acts 2:32. Or:
2. In his example, in that he in suffering so much for Christ, did give an ample testimony to the reality of Christ's sufferings, and that Christ had indeed suffered: or, both may well be comprehended. The glory that shall be revealed; viz. at Christ's last coming, 1 Peter 1:5, 1 Peter 4:13 Romans 8:17,18.