SECTION C: THEMES FROM SELECTED EPISTLES Peter’s teaching on interpersonal relationship among Christians. (1 Peter 5:1-11)

Answer Details

Peter's teaching on interpersonal relationship among Christians (1 Peter 5:1-11)

In this passage Peter gives directions on how Christians, especially within the church community, should relate to one another:

• Exhortation to the elders. Peter, himself a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, appeals to the elders to tend the flock of God that is in their charge. They are to do this not by constraint but willingly, not for shameful gain but eagerly, and not as domineering over those in their charge but being examples to the flock.
• Reward for faithful leaders. When the chief Shepherd, Christ, is manifested, faithful elders will receive the unfading crown of glory.
• Submission of the younger. Likewise the younger are to be subject to the elders, showing respect for those in authority.
• Mutual humility. All of them are to clothe themselves with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." They should therefore humble themselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt them in due time.
• Casting anxieties on God. They are to cast all their anxieties on Him, for He cares for them.
• Watchfulness and resistance. They must be sober and watchful, for the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour; they should resist him, firm in their faith, knowing that fellow believers throughout the world suffer the same afflictions.
• Assurance of God's grace. Peter assures them that after they have suffered a little while, the God of all grace will Himself restore, establish, strengthen and settle them, and he ascribes dominion to God for ever.

The core of Peter's teaching is that relationships in the Christian community should be marked by humble, sacrificial leadership, respectful submission, mutual humility, watchfulness and unfailing love, all grounded in trust in God's care.