Tap any verse number for what that verse means.
1As a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings, and a partaker of the glory to be revealed, I appeal to the elders among you:
2Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed, but out of eagerness;
3not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
4And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
5Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you.
7Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
8Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
9Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.
10And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore you, secure you, strengthen you, and establish you.
11To Him be the power forever and ever. Amen.
12Through Silvanus, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.
13The church in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, as does my son Mark.
14Greet one another with a kiss of love.
Understand This
1 Peter 5, explained
What 1 Peter 5 is saying
Peter addresses elders as a fellow elder (sympresbyteros) and witness of Christ's sufferings, urging them to shepherd God's flock willingly and eagerly, not for shameful gain, and as examples rather than lords. Younger members are called to submit to elders and all are to clothe themselves in humility. The chapter culminates in the command to cast all anxiety on God and to resist the devil who prowls like a roaring lion. The letter closes with greetings from 'she who is in Babylon' and from Mark.
The background behind it
'Babylon' almost certainly refers to Rome as a cipher, following Jewish apocalyptic convention (cf. Revelation 17-18). The mention of Silvanus as amanuensis and Mark as companion connects Peter to Paul's missionary network. The suffering described as affecting 'your brothers throughout the world' indicates the widespread, though not yet systematic, nature of Christian persecution.
Themes running underneath
The shepherd-flock imagery for ecclesial leadership carries deep christological resonance, as Christ is identified as the 'Chief Shepherd' (archipoimen) whose appearance will reward faithful under-shepherds. The humility exhortation draws on Proverbs 3:34 (LXX), establishing the disposition of lowliness as the foundation of both leadership and resistance to evil.
Why it still matters
Peter's vision of church leadership is profoundly counter-cultural: authority exercised through example, not coercion; motivated by eagerness, not greed. The 'casting all anxiety' command is not mere psychological technique but theological trust rooted in God's demonstrated care.
Scripture text: Berean Standard Bible — used by permission, Bible Hub.