Matthew Henry Commentary 1 Peter 5
Matthew Henry Commentary
1 Peter 5
Matthew Henry Commentary
1 Peter 5
"The elders among you I exhort, who am a fellow-elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, who am also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Tend the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not of constraint, but willingly, according to [the will of] God; nor yet for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall be manifested, ye shall receive the crown of glory that fadeth not away." — 1 Peter 5:1-4 (ASV)
The apostle Peter does not command, but exhorts. He does not claim power to rule over all pastors and churches.
It was the unique honor of Peter and a few others to be witnesses of Christ's sufferings, but it is the privilege of all true Christians to share in the glory that will be revealed.
These poor, dispersed, suffering Christians were the flock of God, redeemed to God by the great Shepherd, living in holy love and communion according to the will of God. They are also dignified with the title of God's heritage or clergy—His special possession, chosen for His own people, to enjoy His special favor and to do Him special service.
Christ is the chief Shepherd of the whole flock and heritage of God. And all faithful ministers will receive a crown of unfading glory, infinitely better and more honorable than all the authority, wealth, and pleasure of the world.
"Likewise, ye younger, be subject unto the elder. Yea, all of you gird yourselves with humility, to serve one another: for God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; casting all your anxiety upon him, because he careth for you. Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour, whom withstand stedfast in your faith, knowing that the same sufferings are accomplished in your brethren who are in the world." — 1 Peter 5:5-9 (ASV)
Humility preserves peace and order in all Christian churches and societies; pride disturbs them. Where God gives grace to be humble, He will give wisdom, faith, and holiness. To be humble, and subject to our reconciled God, will bring greater comfort to the soul than the gratification of pride and ambition. But it is to be in due time; not in your fancied time, but God's own wisely appointed time.
Does He wait, and will you not? What difficulties will not the firm belief of His wisdom, power, and goodness overcome! Then be humble under His hand.
Cast all your care; personal cares, family cares, cares for the present, and cares for the future, for yourselves, for others, for the church, on God. These are burdensome, and often very sinful, when they arise from unbelief and distrust, when they torture and distract the mind, unfit us for duties, and hinder our delight in the service of God.
The remedy is to cast our care upon God and leave every event to His wise and gracious disposal. A firm belief that the Divine will and counsels are right calms the spirit of a man. Truly, the godly too often forget this and fret themselves to no purpose. Refer all to God's disposal.
The golden mines of all spiritual comfort and good are wholly His, and the Spirit Himself. Then, will He not furnish what is fit for us, if we humbly attend on Him, and lay the care of providing for us upon His wisdom and love? The whole design of Satan is to devour and destroy souls. He always is contriving whom he may ensnare to eternal ruin.
Our duty plainly is to be sober; to govern both the outward and the inward man by the rules of temperance. To be vigilant; suspicious of constant danger from this spiritual enemy, watchful and diligent to prevent his designs. Be steadfast, or solid, by faith. A man cannot fight upon a quagmire; there is no standing without firm ground to tread upon; this faith alone furnishes.
It lifts the soul to the firm, advanced ground of the promises and fixes it there. The consideration of what others suffer is proper to encourage us to bear our share in any affliction; and in whatever form Satan assaults us, or by whatever means, we may know that our brethren experience the same.
"And the God of all grace, who called you unto his eternal glory in Christ, after that ye have suffered a little while, shall himself perfect, establish, strengthen you. To him [be] the dominion for ever and ever. Amen. By Silvanus, our faithful brother, as I account [him], I have written unto you briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand ye fast therein. She that is in Babylon, elect together with [you], saluteth you; and [so doth] Mark my son. Salute one another with a kiss of love. Peace be unto you all that are in Christ." — 1 Peter 5:10-14 (ASV)
In conclusion, the apostle prays to God for them, as the God of all grace. 'Perfect' implies their progress towards perfection. 'Establish' signifies the curing of our natural fickleness and inconstancy. 'Strengthen' relates to the growth of graces, especially where they are weakest and lowest. 'Settle' signifies to fix them upon a sure foundation, and may refer to Him who is the Foundation and Strength of believers.
These expressions show that perseverance and progress in grace are what every Christian should first seek. The power of these doctrines on their hearts, and the fruits in their lives, showed who are partakers of the grace of God. The cherishing and increase of Christian love, and of affection for one another, is not a matter of empty compliments, but the stamp and badge of Jesus Christ on His followers.
Others may have a false peace for a time, and wicked men may wish for it for themselves and for one another; but their hope is vain and will come to nothing. All solid peace is founded on Christ and flows from Him.
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