These next 3 chapters are called “The Suffering Chapters” because they speak a great deal of suffering and how we should deal with it as Christians who are living in a world that's lost, dying, dark and bad things go on everyday. We are living in a darkening world that is demonically inspired, and the end of the age is approaching as evidenced by what's going on in the world – politically, socially, environmentally… These chapters talk about the trials and tribulations that we meet in our daily lives.
1 Peter 5:1-14 1 The elders which are among you I exhort (encourage, to call near), who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: “Elders” means an older person who is treated with respect. Peter says he's been around long enough to see the suffering of Jesus Christ firsthand, and he's also going to be a part when all is revealed. We also have that position with Peter to participate in Christ's glory, the glory of God, being a child of God. 2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; If you're an elder and you have a responsibility of a flock of God, you have to do it because you love to do it and no other reason. You're not doing it for the money, power, or recognition. If you take the religious leading job just for the money, that's wrong. If God put you in that leadership position, you are doing it out of love for God, not the money. 3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. No one is a task master, doing it their way or the high |