The disciples of Peter’s time suffered severe violence from their enemies who raged against them, hauling them before the courts. “Adversary” v.81 Peter 5:8XWaiting for response is, in the original Greek, a legal word meaning “opponent at law” and this legal opponent of believers was metaphorically like a “roaring lion”. Examples of this behaviour are recorded in The Acts of the Apostles, Acts 17:5-6Acts 17:5-6XWaiting for response and the unbelieving Jews especially fiercely attacked believers, behaving like their fathers of old. Ezekiel 22:25Ezekiel 22:25XWaiting for response This adversary brought false accusation against the disciples, therefore this body of persecutors is called “the devil”. This is an appropriate label for this body of persecutors, being a false accuser, but has no reference to an imaginary supernatural evil being who never charged the disciples before the Roman legal authorities.
These afflictions came upon the Jewish Christians to whom Peter wrote and also upon their Gentile brethren in the faith.v.91 Peter 5:9XWaiting for response Both Jew and Gentile believers were exhorted to “cast their care upon the Lord”,v.71 Peter 5:7XWaiting for response knowing they had been called to eternal glory, so that after they had suffered they would be strengthened and made immortal and incorruptible at the coming of Christ.v.101 Peter 5:10XWaiting for response
Verses 1-6
1 Peter 5:1-6XWaiting for responsePeter exhorted the elders 5:1 to feed the flock of God,v.21 Peter 5:2XWaiting for response not motivated by filthy lucre (money) and not lording it over the disciples who are God’s heritage,v.31 Peter 5:3XWaiting for response and they would receive an unfading crown of glory when the chief shepherd appears. Unfortunately, many of them began to lust after money and exalt themselves, eventually arrogating to themselves the title of “clergy”, meaning “heritage”, and subordinating the rest of the congregations to the position of “laity”. However, it is the disciples who are God’s heritage and none should exalt themselves over them. All the disciples are exhorted to humble themselves v.51 Peter 5:5XWaiting for response that they might be exalted, not now, but in due time,v.61 Peter 5:6XWaiting for response i.e. at the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ.