1 Peter 5:1

Elders. Gr. presbuteroi (see Vol. VI, p. 26; see on Acts 11:30). Having thus far addressed himself to church members generally, Peter now counsels those who have the immediate oversight of God’s flock (see on vs. 3, 4).

I exhort. Gr. parakaled, “to appeal to,” “to exhort,” “to encourage,” “to entreat” (see on Matt. 5:4). Peter counsels his fellow elders as a solicitous friend, not as a lord “over God’s heritage” (1 Peter 5:3; cf. on Matt. 16:18).

Who am also an elder. Literally, “the fellow elder.” Peter here gives no hint of primacy. He is altogether content to lay claim to the same title he has just applied to the senior officers of the church. That he was known to his readers may be inferred from his use of the definite article, ‘‘the fellow elder.”

Witness. Gr. martus (see on Acts 1:8). For Peter’s personal witness to Christ see on 2 Peter 1:16-18; cf. 1 John 1:1,2. Although Peter claimed equality with the other elders, in respect to office, he held a unique position among them in respect to his being an eyewitness of Christ’s life and death (cf. Acts 5:32). The closing scenes of the Saviour’s life were a vivid and ever-present memory to him. See on Luke 24:48.

Sufferings of Christ. See on ch. 2:21.

Partaker. Gr. koindnos, “one who shares,” “partner” (cf. on ch. 1:4). Peter writes confidently of the fulfillment of an event yet future as if he were already enjoying its benefits. He was depending on promises such as those recorded in Matt. 19:28; John 13:36. For the apostle’s understanding of his own immediate future compare on 2 Peter 1:14.

Glory. Gr. doxa (see on Rom. 3:23).

Shall be revealed. Literally, “is about to be revealed” (see on 1 Peter 4:7; cf. on Rom. 8:18).