1 Peter 5:5

Likewise. As the elders were to be under Christ’s leadership, so the younger Christians were to be under the elders’ direction.

Younger. Reference is probably to the younger members of the various congregations to which Peter is writing.

Submit yourselves. Gr. hupotasso (see on Rom. 13:1). The “younger” are to respect the experience and judgment of the “elders.”

Unto the elder. Literally, “to elders,” probably here with reference to age rather than to office (cf. 1 Tim. 5:1, 17), though Peter’s injunction would, of course, apply with special force to official “elders.” The young are to respect those who are mature in years and experience and to heed their counsel.

Yea, all. The apostle now addresses himself to the entire body of believers.

Be subject. Textual evidence favors (cf. p. 10) the omission of these words. The clause may then be literally rendered, “yes, all of you be clothed with humility one toward another.”

Clothed. Gr. egkomboomai, “to gird on oneself,” as a slave used to tie on his apron (egkombdma), which came to be regarded as a sign of his servitude, and marked him as one whose duty it was to minister to the desires of others. In their mutual relationships Christians are to put on humility as a slave puts on his apron. How peaceful the church would be if all its members followed the apostle’s counsel!

Humility. Gr. tapeinophrosune (see on Eph. 4:2; Phil. 2:3).

Resisteth. Gr. antitasso, “to range in battle against.” God abhors pride. Peter here quotes from the LXX of Prov. 3:34, as does James in ch. 4:6 (see comment there). There are other similarities between Peter’s message at this point and that of James (cf. 1 Peter 5:5-8; James 4:6-10).

The proud. Or, “the haughty,” “the arrogant.”