"Be Humble, But Watchful!"
1 Peter 5:5-14

(This Sermon was preached at Trinity Bible Church on July 22, 2001. all Scripture references used  in this sermon are based upon the NASB^®, unless otherwise stated)

Note: Although this sermon is has a lot of Greek mixed in it, I do not go through every word during my sermon.  These Greek references are only that, references for me to use if it strengthens the message.  Plus it is helpful if someone has questions about what I said after the sermon.

Introduction: In the closing passage today, Peter turns his attention from the church leadership back to the congregation. Just as the Elders/Pastors were accountable for their actions, so are the all believer regardless of the circumstances in which they find themselves. He now gives them directions for living in perilous times. First Peter instructs them on how to interact between each other and God, and then he reminds them of the spiritual war that they are in. Peter's closing advise can be summed up simply like this, "be humble, but watchful!" Which is still good advise for believers today.

I. A Call For Humility (vv.5-7).
1. The call to follow our Elders/Pastors (v.5a).

A. "You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders;"

1) "younger men," ("neos" {neh'-os}); new, younger men.

2) "likewise," ("homoios" {hom-oy'-oce}); likewise, in the same way, moreover, similarly.

- EBCNT: This word indicates a new unit of instruction.

3) "be subject," ("hupotasso" {hoop-ot-as'-so}); to arranger under, to subordinate, to subject one's self, obey.

- Imperative Mood with Aorist Tense: volitional mood of command, "do it now!"

4) "elders," ("presbuteros" {pres-boo'-ter-os}); an older person, leaders who preside over Christian assemblies (elders).

- Arndt & Gingrich: used here with a double meaning of those who are older and those who hold the office of elder in the church.

B. Submission is necessary for harmony and spiritual growth of a church.

Application: Younger members were to place themselves willingly under the authority of those who had been given the responsibility of leadership (BKC). This does a couple of things; first, it stops those who may not be very spiritually mature from leading the church in directions that it may not need to be going in. Second, it gives these younger men time to be discipled so they can grow spiritually and be ready to serve as a church leader someday. While some men have a natural ability to lead, it does not mean they have the spiritual ability to lead a church. I have seen churches call pastors who are in their twenties, because they think that they will give the church more life and that in some way these men can relate better to the families in the church. I have even heard some church members make comments about their pastor being too old! While age doesn't always equate with spiritual maturity, it is important that we don't get in the mentality that we need to discard our older Christian brothers for the sake of being modern. You could miss a wealth of spiritual wisdom! To be an effective church, there needs to be harmony between both the young and the old. This means that both groups need to listen to one another and be willing to seek what is best for the whole church.

2. The call to be humble towards one another (v.5b).

A. "and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another,"

1) "all," ("pas"); each, every, all, the whole.

2) "clothe yourselves," ("egkomboomai" {eng-kom-bo'-om-ahee}); clothe oneself with a garment by tying it on, used here of girding oneself with humility by submitting to each other.

A) Imperative Mood with Aorist Tense: volitional mood of command, "do it now!"

B) Robertson: this was the white scarf or apron of slaves. It is quite probable that Peter here is thinking of what Jesus did (John 13:4) when he girded himself with a towel and taught the disciples, Peter in particular (John 13:9), the lesson of humility (John 13:15). Peter had at last learned the lesson (John 21:15-19).

C) Vincent: a slave's apron, under which the loose garments were girt up, hence the figure carries an exhortation to put on humility as a working virtue employed in ministry.

3) "humility," ("tapeinothrosune" {tap-i-nof-ros-oo'-nay}); humility, humbleness of mind, having a humble opinion of one's self, used in the NT as a quality of voluntary submission and unselfishness.

B. "for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble." (from Prov.3:34).

1) "opposed to," ("antitasso" {an-tee-tas'-so: indic}); to oppose one's self, resist, be hostile toward, to range in battle against.

- Vincent: "setteth himself in array against," as one draws out a host for battle. Pride calls out God's armies.

2) "proud," ("huperephanos" {hoop-er-ay'-fan-os}); arrogant, proud, haughty, of an empty boaster who brags of his position and despise others, of showing one's self above others.

3) "gives," ("didomi" {did'-o-mee: indic}); to give something to someone, to bestow a gift, to grant, to supply.

4) "grace," ("charis" {khar'-ece}); grace, as a favorable attitude, favor, helpfulness.

5) "humble," ("tapeinos" {tap-i-nos'}); humble, lowly, used here of the emotional state and the way of thinking.

3. The call to be humble before God (vv.6-7).

A. "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time," (v.6)

1) "humble," ("tapeinoo" {tap-i-no'-o}); to make low, to bring into a humble condition, to have a modest opinion of one's self, to behave in an unassuming manner, devoid of all haughtiness.

A) Imperative Mood with Aorist Tense: volitional mood of command, "do it now!"

B) BKC: this could be translated, "allow yourselves to be humbled."

2) "under," ("hupo" {hoop-o}); under, by.

3) "mighty," ("krataios," {krat-ah-yos'}); mighty, strong, powerful.

4) "hand," ("cheir" {khire}); hand, used here as a expression of the activity of supernatural control.

- Vincent: "mighty hand of God," a phrase found nowhere else in the New Testament, but occurring in the Septuagint, Exodus 3:19; Deuteronomy 3:24; Job 30:21.

5) "exalt," ("hupsoo" {hoop-so'-o: aor}); lift up, raise high, exalt, used here of honor and position.

6) "proper time," ("kairos" {kahee-ros'}); time, season, a fixed and defininte time, the right time.

B. "casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you." (v.7).

1) "casting," ("epirrhipto" {ep-ir-hrip'-to: aor, act, part [imper]}); to throw upon, place upon, cast, used here of casting our cares on (i.e., stop worrying and trust completely).

- Vincent: The aorist participle denoting an act once for all; throwing the whole life with its care on him.

2) "all," ("pas"); each, every, all, the whole.

3) "anxiety," ("merimna" {mer'-im-nah}); care, anxiety, concern, worry, distraction.

- Vincent: "The whole of your care. Not every anxiety as it arises, for none will arise if this transference has been effectually made."

4) "upon," ("epi" {ep-ee'}); upon, on, before.

5) "cares," ("melo" {mel'-o: indic}); to care about, to care or have concern for someone.

A) Robertson: "it is a care to him." God does care (Luke 21:18).

B) Vincent: Meaning the watchful care of interest and affection. The sixth and seventh verses should be taken together: Humble yourselves and cast all your anxiety. Pride is at the root of most of our anxiety. To human pride it is humiliating to cast everything upon another and be cared for (James 4:6, 7).

II. The Warning And Promise (vv.8-11).
1. The warning to be on alert for our adversary (v.8).

A. "Be of sober spirit, be on the alert." (v.8a).

1) "be of sober spirit," ("nepho" {nay'-fo}); be sober, as opp. to being intoxicated, used here fugitively of being free from every form of mental and spiritual excess and confusion, be self-controlled, clear-headed, self-possessed.

- Imperative Mood with Aorist Tense: volitional mood of command, "do it now!"

2) "be on the alert," ("gregoreuo" {gray-gor-yoo'-o}); to watch, be or keep awake, be vigilant, alert, watchful.

- Imperative Mood with Aorist Tense: volitional mood of command, "do it now!"

B. "Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." (v.8b).

1) "adversary," ("antidikos" {an-tid'-ee-kos}); adversary, enemy, one who is constantly hostile toward another.

A) Robertson: Old word for opponent in a lawsuit (Matt 5:25).

B) Vincent: an adversary in a lawsuit.

2) "devil," ("diabolos" {dee-ab'-ol-os}); the slanderer, as a specific name for Satan as an false accuser, the devil.

3) "prowls about," ("peripateo" {per-ee-pat-eh'-o: indic, pres, act}); walk around, go about, to conduct one's self.

A) Vincent: This word gave name to that sect of Greek philosophers known as Peripatetics, because they walked about while teaching or disputing.

B) Robertson: He is a "peripatetic" like the peripatetic philosophers who walked as they talked.

4) "like," ("hos" {hoce}); as, like, even as.

5) "roaring," ("oruomai" {o-roo'-om-ahee}); roar, bellow, howl, as the loud cry of animals (used here of a lion).

- Vincent: It denotes especially the howl of a beast in fierce hunger.

6) "lion," ("leon" {leh-ohn'}); a violent beast of prey, lion.

7) "seeking," ("zeteo" {dzay-teh'-o}); as a searching for, seeking after, to look for, to try to obtain.

8) "devour," ("katapino" {kat-ap-ee'-no}); to devour, to swallow up, destroy, to completely overpower, bring under control.

A) Aorist Infinitive: its action is viewed as a simple event without reference to its duration.

B) Robertson: the devil's purpose is the ruin of men. Satan wants all of us and sifts us all (Luke 22:31).

C) Vincent: swallow down. (Matt 23:24).

2. The call to resist the adversary (v.9).

A. "But resist him, firm in your faith," (v.9a).

1) "resist," ("anthistemi" {anth-is'-tay-mee}); to set one's self against, to resist, oppose, withstand, refuse to yield.

A) Imperative Mood with Aorist Tense: volitional mood of command, "do it now!"

B) Robertson: Cowardice never wins against the devil (2 Tim 1:7), but only courage.

C) Vincent: "to be firm against onset"

2) "firm," ("stereos" {ster-eh-os'}); strong, firm, immovable, solid, rigid, steadfast.

A) Robertson: is old adjective for solid like a foundation (2 Tim 2:19).

B) Vincent: "firm in its place." it conveys also the sense of compactness or compact solidity.

3) "faith," ("pistis" {pis'-tis}); conviction of the truth, belief, of one's religious beliefs in Christ.

B. "knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world." (v.9b).

1) "knowing," ("oida" {oy'-da}); know, understand, realization, comprehend.

2) "experiences," ("pathema" {path'-ay-mah}); as what happens to a person and must be endured, suffering, misfortune, affliction.

- Robertson: "the same things in sufferings"

3) "accomplished," ("epiteleo" {ep-ee-tel-eh'-o}); to bring to an end, accomplish, finish, complete what has been begun, used here of experiencing purposeful trials.

A) Present Infinitive: its action is continuing, repeated, or customary.

B) Vincent: "are being accomplished." The present infinitive denotes something in process of accomplishment.

4) "brethren," ("adelphotes" {ad-el-fot'-ace}); brethren, the community of believers.

5) "world," ("kosmos" {kos'-mos}); world, order, the worldly culture, humanity.

3. The promise in the midst of suffering (vv.10-11).

- "And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you." (v.10)

-- "suffered," ("pascho" {pas'-kho: aor, part}); suffer, undergo, endure.

-- "a little while," ("oligos" {ol-ee'-gos: aor, part}); short time, a little while, briefly.

-- "grace," ("charis" {khar'-ece}); grace, of God's unmerited favor, favor, kindness.

-- "called," ("kaleo" {kal-eh'-o: aor}); to call, to invite, bid, summons, Used here of God's invitation to salvation.

--- Robertson: For God's "calling" us (1 Thess 5:23.; 1 Cor 1:8.; Rom 8:29).

--- Vincent: "who called you," before the foundation of the world. (Rom 8:29, 30).

-- "eternal," ("aionios" {ahee-o'-nee-os}); eternal, everlasting.

-- "glory," ("doxa" {dox'-ah}); manifestation, glory, as a manifestation of god's excellent power.

A. To perfect.

1) "perfect," ("katartizo" {kat-ar-tid'-zo: indic, fut}); to thoroughly prepare something to meet demands, to put in order, restore to a former condition, complete, make ready, perfect (as thoroughly equipping and adjusting Christian character).

2) Vincent: this is very significant as indicating God's personal interest and energy in the work of confirming his children. "perfect," the putting of all the parts into right relation and connection.

3) Bengel: "Shall perfect, that no defect remain in you"

4) Suffering brings spiritual growth in a Christian's life.

B. To confirm.

1) "confirm," ("sterizo" {stay-rid'-zo: indic, fut}); to make stable, firmly establish.

2) Suffering brings a stabilizing presence to a Christian's faith.

C. To strengthen.

1) "strengthen," ("sthenoo" {sthen-o'-o: indic, fut}); strengthen, make strong, cause to be more able.

2) Bengel: "shall strengthen, that you may overcome every adverse force"

3) Suffering brings strength and endurance to a Christian's life so that they can do even more for the Lord.

D. To establish.

1) "establish," ("themelioo" {them-el-ee-o'-o: indic, fut}); provide with a foundation, providing a firm basis for belief or practice, establish, cause to be firm and unwavering.

2) Bengel: "shall establish, that nothing may shake you"

3) Suffering places a Christian upon the firm foundation of faith in Christ.

E. To be mindful of the sovereignty of Christ (v.11).

1) "To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen."

A) "dominion," ("kratos" {krat'-os}); of God's sovereignty, power, might and dominion.

- EBC: this word describes the quality of keeping under control or retaining mastery.

B) "forever and ever," ("aion" {ahee-ohn'}); used here of prolonged and unlimited time, eternity.

C) "amen," ("amen" {am-ane'}); let it be so, truly, used to emphasize that what is being said is a solemn declaration of what is true.

2) Christ is totally sovereign and working behind the scenes.

III. Concluding Remarks (vv.12-14).
1. Final appeal to stand firm on what has been written to them (v.12).

A. "Through Silvanus, our faithful brother (for so I regard him), I have written to you briefly," (v.12a).

1) "Silvanus," ("Silouanos" {sil-oo-an-os'}); Silas = "woody." a Roman citizen, the companion of the apostle Paul on several of his missionary journeys. Also known as Silas (1Thess.1:1).

2) "faithful," ("pistos" {pis-tos'}); trusty, faithful, of persons who show themselves faithful in the transaction of business, commands or the discharge of official duties.

- Vincent: the faithful brother, designating him as one well known for his fidelity.

3) "brother," ("adelphos" ("ad-el-fos'}); brother, fellow Christian, a fellow believer.

4) "regard," ("logizomai" {log-id'-zom-ahee: indic, pres}); to look on as, regard as.

5) "written," ("grapho" {graf'-o: indic, aor}); written, as making a record.

- Vincent: this is an example of what is known as the epistolary aorist. Therefore in using this form of expression Peter does not refer to the second epistle, not to another now lost, but to the present epistle.

6) "briefly," ("oligos" {ol-ee'-gos}); a little, briefly.

A) Robertson: "By few words," as Peter looked at it, certainly not a long letter in fact.

B) Vincent: through few (words).

B. "exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it!" (v.12b).

1) "exhorting," ("parakaleo" {par-ak-al-eh'-o}); to call to one's side, exhort, urge, encourage, comfort.

2) "testifying," ("epimartureo" {ep-ee-mar-too-reh'-o}); to bear witness to, establish by testimony, testify, attest, affirm, bear witness.

3) "true," ("alethes" {al-ay-thace'}); true, of statements that agree with facts, genuine, real, a fact.

4) "grace," ("charis" {khar'-ece}); grace, of God's unmerited favor, favor, kindness.

5) "stand firm," ("histemi" {his'-tay-mee}); stand firm, hold one's ground, be immovable, to be of a steadfast mind, one who does not waiver.

A) Imperative Mood with Aorist Tense: volitional mood of command, "do it now!"

B) Vincent: Lit., "into which stand," the preposition with the verb having the pregnant force of entering into and standing fast in.

2. The closing expression of Christian love (vv.13-14).

A. "She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, and so does my son, Mark." (v.13).

1) "Babylon," ("Babulon" {bab-oo-lone'}); Babylon = "confusion." Also used symbolically of  a world power hostile to God.

A) Robertson: Either actual Babylon or, as most likely, mystical Babylon (Rome) as in the Apocalypse. If Peter is in Rome about A.D. 65, there is every reason why he should not make that fact plain to the world at large and least of all to Nero.

B) Vincent: Some understand in a figurative sense, as meaning Rome; others, literally, of Babylon on the Euphrates.

2) "chosen together with," ("suneklektos" {soon-ek-lek-tos'}); elected or chosen by God to eternal life together with.

A) Robertson: It is also uncertain whether "she" (found here alone), the "chosen together with" means Peter's wife (1Cor 9:5) or the church in "Babylon." The natural way to take it is for Peter's wife.

B) Vincent: Some suppose a reference to Peter's own wife; others, to some prominent Christian woman in the church. The majority of interpreters, however, refer it to the church.

3) "sends you greetings," ("aspazomai" {as-pad'-zom-ahee: indic}); to greet someone, to welcome, give a greeting.

4) "son," ("huios" {hwee-os'}); a son, offspring, used here figuratively of a pupil, disciple, follower, or spiritual son.

- Vincent: Probably in a spiritual sense, though some, as Bengel, think that Peter's own son is referred to.

5) "Mark," ("Markos" {mar'-kos}); Mark = "a defense." an evangelist and author of the Gospel of Mark. Marcus was his Latin surname, his Jewish name was John. He was a cousin of Barnabas and a companion of Paul in some of his missionary journeys.

- Robertson: So this fact agrees with the numerous statements by the early Christian writers that Mark, after leaving Barnabas, became Peter's "interpreter" and under his influence wrote his Gospel. We know that Mark was with Paul in Rome some years before this time (Col 4:10).

B. "Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace be to you all who are in Christ." (v.14).

1) "greet," ("aspazomai" {as-pad'-zom-ahee: imper, aor}); embrace; hence, greet, salute, express good wishes.

2) "one another," ("allelon" {al-lay'-lone}); one another, mutually, each other.

3) "kiss," ("philema" {fil'-ay-mah}); a kiss, used in the N.T. as an expression of greeting or farewell.

- Robertson: The abuse of this custom led to its confinement to men with men and women with women and to its final abandonment (Apost. Const. ii. 57, 12).

4) "love," ("agape" {ag-ah'-pay}); a deep deep love, deep affection or devotion.

5) "peace," ("i-ray'-nay}); peace, used here as a greeting or farewell (corresponds to the Heb. word, "shalom").

Truths To Ponder:

1. We are reminded that for God's church to function as it should we should all have an attitude of humility.

A. This means respecting the ministries of others.

B. This means to seek to be servants of each other, and not to try to be the master.

C. This means that we need to seek God's will first and foremost in our lives.

A. The enemy is real, and active.

B. We cannot afford to be lazy or ignore this fact.

A. It is to shape or mold us into the image of Jesus Christ.

B. It is to give encouragement to other believers as they see us being faithful.

C. It is to be a testimony of God's grace in a believer's life to an unbelieving world.

A. We should demonstrate this by our love and affection for one another.

B. Only Jesus Christ can bring peace to our hearts in both good and bad times.