Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Peter 5:6

"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time;" — 1 Peter 5:6 (ASV)

Christians should, therefore, “humble” (GK 5427) themselves under God’s “mighty hand.” In the OT, God’s hand symbolized discipline (Exodus 3:19; Exodus 6:1; Job 30:21; Psalms 32:4) and deliverance (Ezekiel 20:34). Both meanings are appropriate in view of the sufferings of the Asian Christians. Once more Peter ties his exhortation to humility to the end times. The “due time” is the time God has set for Christ’s appearing. Thus the whole destiny of Christians—whether it is suffering or glory—is God-ordained.