In this chapter, a theme throughout is living in the light of heaven. Also, Peter is equipping believers to stand in the midst of suffering.
Verse 1: Introducing ideas. Peter is recognizing the elders role in the congregation. Elders came about mainly because of Jewish culture (Exodus). Elder speaks of a person with maturity and wisdom. Here, it's not about any specific age but about maturity and wisdom. Peter is an elder. This is what qualified him to speak. His card to lay down is that he is a witness and a partaker. i.e. experiences.
Verses 2-3: Pointed instructions for pastors and leaders.
1. Shepherd the flock of God: Feed. Lead. Protect.
Not meaning that the pastor is everything in the body of Christ - remember what Paul said about gifts.
2. Serving as overseer - Greek culture. Bishop - watches over. Sheep are entrusted to shepherds - no dictatorship. No domination. No heavy-hand. "By example".
Verse 4: "Chief Shepherd" - Jesus. Peter thinking of heaven again. Receives a "crown of glory" a reward. Great reward in heaven.
Verse 5: Changes thought here to the younger. Humility in our life. Resists the proud. Look at: James 4:6 and Proverbs 3:34. Grace t the humble. Do we really want God to resist you? Be humble. Grace to us is because God is so great and wonderful. Humility is being "others" centered and not "self" centered.
Verse 6: God knows how to exalt us at the proper time ("kyros" time).
Verse 7: True humility is shown when we have the ability to cast our cares upon God. God has promised to take care of us when we cast our cares upon Him instead of trying to do it ourselves. Cares will evaporate. "Casting" here is a very energetic word. It's a throwing. Why do this? Because "he cares for you." This idea was not comprehensible to the pagan religions. They could never believe in a god who was good from their own religions.
Verses 8-9: Not a word about worry or humility but watchfulness. Peter reminds us to remain clear-headed. Why? Because we have an adversary - Satan. We're in a battle. He may roar but he's been de-clawed and de-fanged at the cross. But the sound of his roar, his deceptive lies, are still powerful and have the ability to devour souls and to rob us of our effectiveness. He instills fear and defeat within his prey. Psalm 91:3 - like a fowler. 2 Corinthians 11:14 - an angel of light and like a roaring lion - loud, fierce and intimidating. What is he trying to do? Devour. What do we do? Resist him steadfast in our faith.
The secret of spiritual warfare is simply: steadfast resistance. What does it mean to resist? This ancient Greek word comes from two other root words - to stand and against. Also, we are never along in our spiritual battles.
Verses 10-11: Peter gives a prayer. He asks God to do His work of restoring, confirming and strengthening and establishing. These things are God's work.
"After you have suffered awhile" - God uses his plan of suffering to do the above mentioned. The God who can do that is worthy of all praise.
Verses 12-14: "Silvanus" - Silas, the transcriber. Why did he write? That "this is the true grace of God in which you stand." We need to know what true grace is and also our standing in grace. God's grace is given because of who He is not and who we are. It's not performance based.
"She" - the church. "Babylon" - an idea? Was it a place?
Peter's last words here - love.
"Kiss" - a greeting.
Peace and love are necessary now.
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