\\INTRODUCTION TO 1 PETER 5\\

In this chapter the apostle first exhorts pastors and members of
churches to their respective duties as such; and then to those which
were common to them all, as Christians; and closes the epistle with
prayers for them, salutations of them, and with his apostolic
benediction. He begins with the pastors or elders, and describes
himself as a fellow elder, an eyewitness of Christ's sufferings, and
a partaker of his glory, \\#1Pe 5:1\\, and these he exhorts to feed
the flock of God, where they were; to take the charge and oversight
of them, freely, readily, and willingly, and not through force or
covetousness; and not to exercise a tyrannical dominion over them,
but to be examples to them, \\#1Pe 5:2,3\\, and the argument made use
of to encourage them to all this is, that at the appearance of
Christ, the chief Shepherd, they should receive a never fading crown
of glory, \\#1Pe 5:4\\ and next, the members of the churches are
exhorted to submit to the rule and government of their pastors, being
according to the word of God; and to be subject to one another; and
particularly to put on humility, as a garment very ornamental to
them; and the rather, since God opposes himself to men that are
proud, but gives more grace to the humble, \\#1Pe 5:5\\ and
especially he exhorts them to be humble under the hand of God, since
that is a mighty one, and this is the way to be exalted in due time;
and also to cast their care upon him, seeing he cared for them,
\\#1Pe 5:6,7\\ and then the apostle proceeds to the common duties of
Christians, and to exhort them to sobriety and watchfulness, since
Satan their adversary was a cruel and indefatigable one, and ever
seeking the ruin of men; and to resist him in the steadfast exercise
of faith, and patiently bear all afflictions, seeing the same were
accomplished in their brethren in the world, \\#1Pe 5:8,9\\ and then
he puts up some petitions for them, that they might be perfected,
stablished, strengthened, and settled, \\#1Pe 5:10\\ and ascribes
glory and dominion for ever to the God of grace, to whom he prays,
\\#1Pe 5:11\\ after which he names the person by whom he sends this
epistle, giving a summary of it; that it was an exhortation and a
testimony to the true doctrine of grace wherein they stood,
\\#1Pe 5:12\\, and next follow the salutations of the church at Babylon,
and of his son Marcus, to them, \\#1Pe 5:13\\, and lastly, he desires
they would salute one another with a kiss of love, and gives them his
benedictory wish, \\#1Pe 5:14\\.