Humble elders tending sheep as community members share burdens and keep watch near dusk

1 Peter 5

New Living Translation
Chapter overview
Peter urges elders to shepherd willingly and by example, while younger believers practice humility. The whole community should entrust anxiety to God, remain alert against the prowling adversary, resist steadfastly, and trust God to restore and strengthen them.
ShepherdingHumilityWatchfulnessRestoration

About 1 Peter: book summary and outline →

1And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you:
2Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God.
3Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example.
4And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.
5In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
6So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.
7Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
8Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
9Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.
10In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.
11All power to him forever! Amen.
12I have written and sent this short letter to you with the help of Silas, whom I commend to you as a faithful brother. My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that what you are experiencing is truly part of God’s grace for you. Stand firm in this grace.
13Your sister church here in Babylon sends you greetings, and so does my son Mark.
14Greet each other with a kiss of love. Peace be with all of you who are in Christ.

Verses to memorize from 1 Peter 5

  • 1 Peter 5:2-3Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it…
  • 1 Peter 5:6-7So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right…
  • 1 Peter 5:7Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
  • 1 Peter 5:8Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around…
  • 1 Peter 5:10In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means…

New Living Translation — Licensed through API.Bible, non-commercial use only, no derivatives. Where these translations come from.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Text unchanged, provided through API.Bible.