Chapter
1 2 3 4 5
Verse
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

1 Peter 5:5
ESV Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
NIV In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, 'God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.'
NASB You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT HE GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.
CSB In the same way, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. All of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, becauseGod resists the proudbut gives grace to the humble.
NLT In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'
KJV Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

What does 1 Peter 5:5 mean?

In the previous few verses, Peter gave specific instructions to those occupying the office of elder in the church, regarding how they should lead. Now he addresses those who are younger, spiritually speaking. These are those who don't serve in the role of elder in the church. Peter writes that they should be subject to the elders.

Peter has been clear throughout his letter: Christians are people under several layers of authority. Our ultimate authority is God, of course, and His instructions to us take priority over those given by any other authority. In fact, as Peter demonstrated in his own life, a believer must willfully disobey human authorities when they tell us to disobey God (Acts 5:29). In all other matters, though, Christians express our freedom by willingly submitting to the authority of kings, governors, husbands, and even slave masters. Within the church itself, this attitude of submission extends to those holding the office of elder.

Why would we resist that? Why would we need to be warned about refusing to be subject to elders in the church? Peter identifies the most common reason: pride. He instructs us—"all of you," young and old alike—to "clothe" ourselves with humility toward one another. For humans, the choice to be humble is not something that comes naturally from within us. We must put it on like clothing, covering our pride to promote each other above ourselves.

Peter references Proverbs 3:34 to show that this choice to be humble toward each other is not just about human relationships. God's natural response to proud humans is to oppose them, just as His natural response to humble humans is to give them grace. In the next verse, Peter will continue to explain what it means to be humble before God.
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