5:1 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed:



5:2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve;



5:3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.



5:4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.



5:5 In the same way, you who are younger [the most likely to resist authority], submit yourselves to your elders [the elders in the church who provide order and guidance]. All of you, clothe yourselves [relate to one another] with humility [cf. Prov. 3:34; Lk. 14:11; Jas. 4:6] toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud
    but shows favor to the humble.”



5:6 Humble [involves placing ourselves under God’s sovereign control and seeing others as people of worth in God’s eyes] yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.



5:7 Cast [cf. Ps. 55:22] all your anxiety [cf. Phil. 4:6-7] on him because he cares for you.

5:8 Be alert [an urgent admonition to Pay attention! Wake up!] and of sober mind. Your [the devil is our enemy] enemy [all the persecution believers suffer ultimately comes from one enemy] the devil [aka Satan, Beelzebub, Accuser; he hates God, God’s people, and God’s purposes] prowls around like a roaring [a lion will use fear to drive their pray into the jaws of another lion] lion [like a lion, the devil looks for the most vulnerable victims — especially those who are isolated from others, new believers, and the weak] looking for someone to devour [this is what happens when we are not alert].

5:9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.



5:10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.



5:11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.



5:12 With the help of Silas, 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 fast in it.

5:13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark.



5:14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.