ø     eBIBLE         ȸ             伺뵶     Ǵ    ȸҰ
  eBIBLE       ּ            

Library > Commentaries > Wesley's Explanatory Notes > 5 > 1 Peter 5
  1 Peter 5  
<< Introduction      2 Peter 1 >>
  

The Book of 1 Peter
Chapter 5
Verses:
5:1I who am a fellow - elder - So the first though not the head of the apostles appositely and modestly styles himself.And a witness of the sufferings of Christ - Having seen him suffer, and now suffering for him.
5:2Feed the flock - Both by doctrine and discipline.Not by constraint - Unwillingly, as a burden. Not for filthy gain - Which, if it be the motive of acting, is filthy beyond expression. O consider this, ye that leave one flock and go to another, merely because there is more gain, a large salary!Is it not astonishing that men can see no harm in this? that it is not only practised, but avowed, all over the nation?
5:3Neither as lording over the heritage - Behaving in a haughty, domineering manner, as though you had dominion over their conscience. The word translated heritage, is, literally, the portions. There is one flock under the one chief Shepherd; but many portions of this, under many pastors. But being examples to the flock - This procures the most ready and free obedience.
5:5Ye younger, be subject to the elder - In years. And be all - Elder or younger. Subject to each other - Let every one be ready, upon all occasions, to give up his own will. Be clothed with humility - Bind it on, (so the word signifies,) so that no force may be able to tear it from you. 4:6 ; Prov 3:34
5:6The hand of God - Is in all troubles.
5:7Casting all your care upon him - In every want or pressure.
5:8But in the mean time watch. There is a close connexion between this, and the duly casting our care upon him. How deeply had St. Peter himself suffered for want of watching! Be vigilant - As if he had said, Awake, and keep awake. Sleep no more: be this your care. As a roaring lion - Full of rage. Seeking - With all subtilty likewise. Whom hemay devour or swallow up - Both soul and body.
5:9Be the more steadfast, as ye know the same kind of afflictions are accomplished in - That is, suffered by, your brethren, till the measure allotted them is filled up.
5:10Now the God of all grace - By which alone the whole work is begun, continued, and finished in your soul. After ye have suffered a while - A very little while compared with eternity.Himself - Ye have only to watch and resist the devil: the rest God will perform. Perfect - That no defect may remain.Stablish - That nothing may overthrow you.Strengthen - That ye may conquer all adverse power.And settle you - As an house upon a rock. So the apostle, being converted, does now "strengthen his brethren."
5:12As I suppose - As I judge, upon good grounds, though not by immediate inspiration. I have written - That is, sent my letter by him. Adding my testimony - To that which ye before heard from Paul, that this is the true gospel of the grace of God.
5:13The church that is at Babylon - Near which St. Peter probably was, when he wrote this epistle. Elected together with you - Partaking of the same faith with you. Mark - It seems the evangelist. My son - Probably converted by St. Peter.And he had occasionally served him, "as a son in the gospel."