1 Peter 5:5-7, Responsibilities of All Church Members

There is a delicate dance between leaders and followers required by God, one that demands a humility of mind on the part of both. Peter has given dance steps to the elders. Now he gives dance steps to the followers.

⁵ Likewise, younger people, submit to the elders, and everyone clothe yourselves with humility toward each other, because “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” ⁶ Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He might exalt you in due time, ⁷ casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He is concerned about you.

Having given instruction to elders, the spiritual leaders of the local church, Peter now moves to instructions for non-elders, “younger people,” a designation for all who are not elders, not a designation of age. And their instruction is to submit to the elders. He has just told the elders not to lord it over the flock, but he tells the flock to submit to them. This is a very delicate balance to strike. The elders have authority from God, but are not to abuse it, using example as the primary way of leading, not dictatorial fiat or command. Yet members are to recognize their authority and obey them.

And everyone, elders and youngers, are to “clothe themselves in humility toward one another,” submitting themselves to one another before God. The reason Peter gives for this is that God actively opposes the proud, as the Scripture says (Proverbs 3:34), and favors the humble. Abusive leaders will be opposed by God, as will arrogant followers.

Peter repeats the principle taught by Jesus, that if we humble ourselves, God will exalt us, but that if we exalt ourselves, God will humble us (Matthew 23:12 et al). His mighty hand is able to discipline us and also able to lift us up. Exaltation will come when He feels it right, “when he shall judge that it is expedient for you, either in this world, or in the day of judgment (Erasmus, as quoted by Meyer).

There is anxiety in submitting to God and to other humans. We are habituated to anticipate abuse from those to whom we are submissive. This is why Peter said in chapter 3 that wives should not be controlled by fear as they submit to their husbands (3:5). There is anxiety, also, from forced submission to persecution. Peter’s encouragement is that God is concerned about all that makes us anxious, and we may figuratively lay our anxieties on Him, to let Him bear them for us, as the One who is in ultimate control of our lives.