Reflections from 1 Peter

Elder, witness, partaker

1As a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings, and a partaker of the glory to be revealed, I appeal to the elders among you: 2Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; 3not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

1 Peter 5:1-4

In the opening of the final chapter, Peter’s letter turns personal. He directs his focus to the leaders of the church, appealing to the elders, and affiliating himself with them. He speaks as one of their number, sharing in their experience, their authority, and their calling.

The elders among the dispersed believers were responsible for shepherding the flock of God in local congregations which were scattered. Rather than asserting authority from above, Peter speaks from among them, appealing as a fellow elder rather than as an apostle.

Peter walked with Christ, was commissioned by Christ, and stood on the Mount of Transfiguration, offering to pitch tents. Yet this same Peter was the one who fled, followed at a distance, and denied the Lord three times when He was arrested and beaten before being taken to the cross. Peter, having both experiences, as well as the Spirit of God, speaks with humility and love for Christ.

His authority does not come from his title, but from his testimony. He is a witness of Christ’s sufferings. He witnessed the Lord’s humiliation and agony. He also felt the Lord’s forgiveness and reconciliation. And having been forgiven, he was then called, and he embraced that calling all the way to choosing, himself, crucifixion rather than denying again the One who had forgiven and given him everything.

Peter does not urge elders to ease or comfort, but calls them to lead with the same shape as Christ’s suffering. To be an elder is to take on a cross-shaped role. It is not a role of self-promotion, but self-sacrifice. All “roles” among Christians are to have this defining schema. We ought to live before the Lord bearing witness to Him, and modelling His love.

Peter does not stop at suffering. He also mentions being a partaker of the glory to be revealed. He maintains his pattern of highlighting present pain alongside future glory. We are exiles now; we will receive our inheritance later. We suffer for Christ now, and reign with Christ in glory. Peter points consistently to unshakeable hope anchored in the risen Lord. This hope allows us to endure whatever fiery trials may come. The Lord is Mighty to save. He will guard us, and keep that which we have committed to Him against that day.

Christ’s faithfulness is the reason why we can hope in future glory. What He has promised, He will do. No one can stay His hand. No one can subvert His ways. No one can thwart His will. We can trust in Him.

Peter reminds the elders by his own example that within Christian community, leaders and those in authority do not “lord it over” others. Peter could have reminded them that he is an apostle, he could have spoken to them from that position of authority; and certainly he has at other times spoken in such a way, as have other apostles. But in this passage he appeals to the elders as a fellow elder, with the encouragement of shared identity.

Leadership is not status, not platform, but a downward path into service, shaped by the sufferings of Christ and by the hope of His return. Peter follows the pattern of Christ, and calls other elders to do the same. Christ laid down His life for His sheep. His suffering turned to exultation, His sorrow to joy, and as we follow after Him—leaders or not—we can know that same trajectory.

We can take up our cross now and one day see the Glory.