Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Peter 5:6
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
6. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God ] The parallelism with St James (Jas 4:10) will again be noticed, but the thought is one which occurs in many forms elsewhere (Job 22:29; Pro 29:23; Mat 23:12; Luk 1:52; Luk 14:11; Luk 18:14). The plural “the mighty hand of God,” reproduces the LXX. version of Deu 3:24.
in due time ] The promise is purposely left in this vague indeterminate form. St Peter does not say that the exaltation of victory will come in this life. He does not say either, that it will not come till the Resurrection. He is certain, with the full assurance of faith, that this is God’s law of retribution, and he is content to leave “the times and the seasons” in the Father’s hands, certain that the season chosen will be the right one.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Humble yourselves therefore – Be willing to take a low place – a place such as becomes you. Do not arrogate to yourselves what does not belong to you; do not evince pride and haughtiness in your manner; do not exalt yourselves above others. See the notes at Luk 14:7-11. Compare Pro 15:33; Pro 18:12; Pro 22:4; Mic 6:8; Phi 2:8.
Under the mighty hand of God – This refers probably to the calamities which he had brought upon them, or was about to bring upon them; represented here, as often elsewhere, as the infliction of his hand – the hand being that by which we accomplish anything. When that hand was upon them they were not to be lifted up with pride and with a spirit of rebellion, but were to take a lowly place before him, and submit to him wish a calm mind, believing that he would exalt them in due time. There is no situation in which one will be more likely to feel humility than in scenes of affliction.
That he may exalt you in due time – When he shall see it to be a proper time:
- They might be assured that this would be done at some time. He would not always leave them in this low and depressed condition. He would take off his heavy hand, and raise them up from their state of sadness and suffering.
(2)This would be in due time; that is, in the proper time, in the best time:
- It might be in the present life.
- It would certainly be in the world to come. There they would be exalted to honors which will be more than an equivalent for all the persecution, poverty, and contempt which are suffered in this world. He may well afford to be humble here who is to be exalted to a throne in heaven.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 6. Humble yourselves] Those who submit patiently to the dispensations of God’s providence he lifts up; those who lift themselves up, God thrusts down.
If we humble not ourselves under God’s grace, he will humble us under his judgments. Those who patiently submit to him, he exalts in due time; if his hand be mighty to depress, it is also mighty to exalt.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The mighty hand of God; by this he means Gods omnipotence, which sometimes is called a strong hand, Exo 3:19, a mighty hand, Exo 32:11; Deu 3:24, the right hand of power, Mat 26:64; by which he is able to beat down those that are proud and high, and to defend or exalt those that are humble and lowly.
In due time; Greek, in season, viz. that which God sees most fit and conducing to his own glory and your real welfare.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
6. under the mighty handafflictingyou (1Pe 3:15): “accept”His chastisements, and turn to Him that smiteth you. He depresses theproud and exalts the humble.
in due timeWait humblyand patiently for His own fit time. One oldest manuscript and Vulgateread, “In the season of visitation,” namely, His visitationin mercy.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Humble yourselves therefore,…. Or be ye humbled before God, and in his sight; quietly submit to his will; patiently bear every affliction without murmuring, repining, or replying against him; be still under the rod, and despise not the chastening of the Lord; mourn over sin as the cause, acknowledge your vileness and unworthiness, and stand in awe of his majesty, considering yourselves as
under the mighty hand of God a phrase expressive of his omnipotence which cannot be stayed, and it would be madness to oppose it; and which is able to cast down the proud, and dash them to pieces, as well as to exalt the humble. His hand, upon men, in a way of chastisement, presses sore, and, in a way of punishment, presses down, and crushes to pieces; but to be under it in an humble manner is safe and profitable; such are hid as in the hollow of his hand, and are safe as in a pavilion, and comfortable under the shadow of his wings; and such humiliation and submission to him, and putting themselves under his mighty hand and care, is the way to exaltation:
that he may exalt you in due time: the Arabic version reads, “in the time of exaltation”: when his time to exalt is come, either in this world, or more especially at the appearance of Christ and his kingdom. The Vulgate Latin version, and two copies of Beza’s, one of Stephens’s, and the Alexandrian, read, “in the time of visitation”; and so the Ethiopic version, “when he shall have visited you”; which seems to be taken out of 1Pe 2:12 sooner or later such who are humbled shall be exalted; it is the usual way and method which God takes to abase the proud, and exalt the humble; for humble souls honour him, and therefore such as honour him he will honour; and this he does in his own time, in a time that makes most for his glory, and their good; oftentimes he does it in this life, and always in that which is to come.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Humble yourselves therefore ( ). First aorist passive imperative of , old verb, for which see Mt 18:4. Peter is here in the role of a preacher of humility. “Be humbled.”
Under the mighty hand of God ( ). Common O.T. picture (Exod 3:19; Exod 20:33, etc.).
That he may exalt you ( ). Purpose clause with and first aorist active subjunctive of . Cf. Luke 14:11; Phil 2:9.
In due time ( ). Same phrase in Mt 24:45.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Mighty hand [ ] . A phrase found nowhere else in the New Testament, but occurring in the Septuagint, Exo 3:19; Deu 3:24; Job 30:21. The adjective kratrian, mighty, is, moreover, used only here. Compare Luk 1:51, 52.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “Humble yourselves therefore.” (Gk. tapeinothete) “Be ye humbled,” therefore, as a subject of God, of your own will or accord. Joh 7:17.
2) “Under the mighty hand of God.” Under the (Greek kraitan) “mighty or critical” hand of God -under a hand that blesses or chastens.
3) “That he may exalt you in due time.” (Greek hina) “in order that” he, God, may (Greek hupsose) exalt or set thee on high — in time, or at the proper time. Luk 14:11; Luk 18:14.
HUMILITY
Among those who visited Dr. Carey, the missionary, in his last illness was Alexander Duff, the Scotch missionary. On one occasion he spent some time talking chiefly about Carey’s missionary life, until the dying man whispered, “Pray.” Duff knelt down and prayed and then said “Goodbye.”
As he passed from the room, he thought he heard a feeble voice pronouncing his name, and turning, found that he was recalled. He stepped back accordingly, and this is what he heard, spoken with gracious solemnity: “Dr. Carey! Dr. Carey! When I am gone say nothing about Dr. Carey — speak about Dr. Carey’s Saviour.”
Duff went away rebuked and awed with a lesson in his heart that he never forgot.
–Scattered Seed
LOWER YET
I used to think that God’s gifts were on shelves one above the other; and that the taller we grew in Christian character the easier we could reach them. I now find that God’s gifts are on shelves one beneath the other; and that it is not a question of growing taller but of stooping lower; and that we have to go down, always down, to get His best gifts.
–Alliance Weekly
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
6 Humble yourselves therefore. We must ever bear in mind for what end he bids us to be humble before God, even that we may be more courteous and kind to our brethren, and not refuse to submit to them as far as love demands. Then they who are haughty and refractory towards men, are, he says, acting insolently towards God. He therefore exhorts all the godly to submit to God’s authority; and he calls God’s power his hand, that he might make them to fear the more. For though hand is often applied to God, yet it is to be understood here according to the circumstances of the passage. But as we are wont commonly to fear, lest our humility should be a disadvantage to us, and others might for this reason grow more insolent, Peter meets this objection, and promises eminency to all who humble themselves.
But he adds, in due time, that he might at the same time obviate too much haste. He then intimates that it is necessary for us to learn humility now, but that the Lord well knows when it is expedient for us to be elevated. Thus it behoves us to yield to his counsel.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
1Pe. 5:6-7 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; casting all your anxiety upon him, because he careth for you.
Expanded Translation
You must be humble, submit, and lower yourselves therefore under the strong and powerful hand of God, in order that you might be elevated and exalted at the proper time, Throw all your worry and anxious care upon him, because he is concerned about your welfare and cares for you.
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Humble yourselves therefore
In view of the truth just statedthat the Almighty resists those who lift themselves up in arrogance and has blessings in store for the lowly.
casting all your anxiety upon him
The word anxiety (merimna) means literally to draw (the mind) in different directions. Those things which cause worry or anxious care must be cast upon our God! Many of such cares are concerning an impending or anticipated ill and the painful uneasiness of mind that comes from dwelling upon them. How easy it is to take these burdens upon ourselves, believing we can solve them! Even when the greatest calamity has befallen us let us say with Job, Jehovah gave, and Jehovah hath taken away; blessed be the name of Jehovah (Job. 1:21).
As we have seen, the recipients of this epistle were already in the midst of tribulation and about to undergo trials of even greater intensity. If any group of Christians had the right to be anxious, they did. The apostles exhortation was timely.
It appears that the Psalmist learned the lesson that Peter would here have us all heed, particularly concerning anxiety over our bodily safety.
I laid me down and slept.
I awaked; for Jehovah sustaineth me.
I will not be afraid of ten thousands of the people.
That have set themselves against me round about.
Psa. 3:5-6.
In peace will I both lay me down and sleep;
For thou, Jehovah, alone maketh me dwell in safety.
Psa. 4:8.
because he careth for you
More than anyone else! See Heb. 13:5-6.
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
(6) Humble yourselves therefore.This, too, looks an amplification of a proverb, when we compare it with Jas. 4:10. The humility here recommended is not merely a submissive bearing of the strokes which it pleased God to let fall upon them, but it was to be shown, as we see in the former verse, in their bearing toward one another. And the mighty hand of God is not to be regarded as that which is chastising them, but as the protecting shelter which they are humbly to seek.
In due time.St. Peter probably means, in the day of judgment, which seemed so instant.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
6. Humble yourselves therefore Because God thus resists the proud and gives grace to the lowly-minded, enabling them to endure, and lifting them up in times of trouble and persecution, they are exhorted to receive with perfect submission all things that befall them under the government of the Lord, in the full assurance that soon or late, in his own way and time, he will exalt them in the removal of the trouble, or in taking them to himself.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time, casting all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.’
So all are to allow themselves to be humbled under the mighty hand of God, and to give themselves to the humble task, rather than seeking status and earthly recognition, thus becoming strangers and pilgrims on the earth (1Pe 1:1; 1Pe 2:11). They are firstly to recognise Whom they serve, the Mighty God, Who had delivered His earlier people from bondage (for ‘the mighty hand of God’ at the Exodus compare Exo 3:19; Deu 3:24; Deu 9:26; Deu 9:29; Deu 26:8), and was doing the same today. It is the same mighty hand of God that is at work for them at the present time as the one that was exerted when His first people had experienced similar deliverance and had been brought to their inheritance. And as Israel had had to do, they are to accept whatever He sees fit to bring upon them (note the exhortations in Heb 3:7 to Heb 4:13), allowing it to fashion and mould their lives (compare 1Pe 1:7; 2Co 3:18). Then in due time, at His appearing, when they receive their inheritance, they will be exalted.
And one advantage of such a position of humility will be that they will be able to cast their anxieties on Him, knowing that He cares for, and is watching over them. They will be able to enter into His rest (Heb 4:1-13). For such an idea compare also Mat 6:25-32. We have already noticed how these connections with the words of Jesus abound.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Submission to God to Resist the Devil Once we learn submission to our fellow man, we are walking in the humility necessary to live humbly before the Lord so that we can resist the works of darkness. The Devil cannot touch those who walk in love (1Jn 5:18).
1Jn 5:18, “We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.”
1Pe 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
1Pe 5:6
1Pe 5:6 “that he may exalt you in due time” – Comments – Having served the Lord for about twenty years, I have had to go through a number of times in my life when the Lord called me out of one job or ministry into a new phase of ministry. The Lord exalts us in his own season, but He will not exalt us until we are at a place in our Christian life where we are ready for the new responsibility. This new promotion does not come from the Lord until we have humbled ourselves and been faithful in the previous phase of ministry.
It had been my experience that when we have faithful in the area of service that we are currently in, we will begin to feel restless. By that I mean we will begin to sense that we are no longer comfortable where we are. We lose the energy and the desire to continue in this work. But it is not time yet to leave. As we wait on the Lord, He will begin to speak to our hearts and give us conformation that a change is coming. It is not time to quit our present employment. It is a time to continue and be faithful until the Lord opens a new door. At that time, you are ready for the change, and you do not have to struggle in prayer for answers, for the Lord has already prepared you for such a change.
God’s time to promote, or exalt us, is the best time. If we will allow God to open the doors in our lives, we will find ourselves walking in his perfect will. If we make the changes ourselves, we will find ourselves out of God’s will trying to do things that we are not able to do nor equipped to do.
The key to promotion from the Lord is to be faithful where we are at. This requires us to daily humble ourselves in the positions that we are serving in.
1Pe 5:6 Comments – The Lord is not against man being exalted. He is against man exalting himself.
1Pe 5:6 Scripture Reference – Note a similar verse:
Pro 15:33, “The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility .”
1Pe 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
1Pe 5:7
“My child, do not share thy burdens with all who come unto thee profession concern. Lo, I, Myself, am the great burden-bearer. Ye need not look for another. I will lead thee and guide thee in wisdom from above. All things shall be as I plan them, if ye allow Me the freedom to shape circumstances and lead thee to the right decisions.” [115]
[115] Frances J. Roberts, Come Away My Beloved (Ojai, California: King’s Farspan, Inc., 1973), 17.
“My child, lean thy head upon My bosom. Well I know thy weariness, and every burden I would lift. Never bury thy griefs; but offer them up to Me. Thou wilt relieve thy soul of much strain if ye can lay every care in My hand. Never cling to any trouble, hoping to resolve it thyself, but turn it over to Me; and in doing so, ye shall free Me to work it out.” [116]
[116] Frances J. Roberts, Come Away My Beloved (Ojai, California: King’s Farspan, Inc., 1973), 18.
1Pe 5:7 Comments – You cannot cast your cares upon the Lord before first humbling yourself before God, as mentioned in the preceding verse (1Pe 5:6).
If the Lord tells us to cast all of our cares upon Him, then He is concerned about each one of them. Now, every worry we may cast upon Him is not necessarily important; thus, the Scriptures tell us that He cares for us. That is, our redemption and well being is what God is focused upon, while He helps us sort through those things in life that we consider important. He has a way of bringing us into maturity so that we no longer worry about the things that used to bother us, and we no longer pursue the things we did while immature.
1Pe 5:7 Scripture Reference – 1Pe 5:7 is similar to 1Pe 4:19.
1Pe 4:19, “Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.”
1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
1Pe 5:8
1Pe 5:8 Comments – Peter certainly knew from experience the deceptiveness of Satan. Jesus had warned him of Satan’s desire to have Peter deny the Lord Jesus Christ (Luk 22:31-32), and still he yielded to this temptation.
Luk 22:31-32, “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”
Illustration – In the mid-1980’s, a windstorm came thru Panama City, Florida. Jack Emerson had just purchased a new car. That night, it was parked in his driveway. The strong wind blew over a telephone pole onto the car and damaged it. Earlier that night, the Lord had quickened Jack to get up and pray. He had failed to do so. The next morning, he went out to find his car with a telephone pole lying on top of it. In frustration, he asked the Lord why the pole fell on his car, and not next door, onto the property of his very, lost and sinful neighbor. The Lord quickly spoke to him these words, “A king does not war against a city that he has already conquered.” The incident was then understood.
Illustration – One morning I watched an ant crawl down a window screen. Suddenly a spider ten times his size rushed out and latched onto him. But the ant managed to get loose and walked on. The spider attacked again, but the ant got out of his clutches again and carried on, unscathed. This ant was ready and armored for the sudden attack of the enemy.
1Pe 5:9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
1Pe 5:9
Jas 4:7, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
Word Study on “steadfast” The word “steadfast” can mean, “immovable, unable to be shaken or moved about, to stand your ground and not give in.”
Comments – The phrase “in the faith” refers to standing upon God’s Word. Kenneth Hagin says that you will only defeat the devil when you’ve got a foundation of God’s Word and you act upon it. He then says, “Your level of faith is directly related to the degree of God’s Word dwelling in your heart, that is, that Word which is reality to you and in which you are daily walking.” [117] For example, in meetings where faith is high and the gifts of the Spirit are moving, it is much easier to receive one’s healing. However, people often lose their healing weeks later because they do not have the faith within themselves to stand on. Satan may put these lying symptoms back on their bodies and the person is overcome again with the same infirmity that he was delivered from during the meeting. They lost it because they did not know their authority in Christ Jesus.
[117] Kenneth Hagin, The Believer’s Authority (Tulsa, Oklahoma: Faith Library Publications, c1984, 1992), 62.
We cannot resist the devil when we are weak in faith. Believers often go out and try something because they saw someone else do it successfully. It will only work when God’s Word in that area has become a spiritual truth to you.
Comments – Until you have had enough, the devil has not. He will be right where he has been unless the Church drives him out. The Lord once spoke to a missionary regarding India and said that there are areas in this nation where the devil has never been challenged by the Church.
Benny Hinn tells this testimony. In 1996 he has a vision of a demon trying to come after him. The next day this vision was repeated. Then the Lord said to him that if you will pray, I would stop this demon from coming against you. If you do not pray, then I cannot stop this demon. [118]
[118] Benny Hinn, This is Your Day (Irving, Texas), on Trinity Broadcasting Network (Santa Ana, California), television program.
1Pe 5:9 “knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world” Comments – During trials by Satan, affliction must be endured. If in sickness, endure for victory. If in human persecution, endure till death or deliverance.
1Pe 5:9 Comments – Note that this insight into the character is that of a roaring lion. In each passage of the Scriptures that Satan is discussed, it is in light of the theme of that passage. We know that the theme of 1 Peter is that of the perseverance of the saints against persecutions from without. Therefore, this passage reveals to us how Satan tries to hinder or stop the perseverance of saints along their spiritual journey through sudden fear.
In contrast, we see the role of Satan in the book of Ephesians as a ruler over the children of disobedience. This is because the theme of Ephesians is God’s eternal plan for man and the calling of the believer to exercise his divine authority in order to fulfill God’s calling in his life. This is why the last chapter of Ephesians teaches the saints how to conduct spiritual warfare.
1Pe 5:8-9 Comments – The Believer’s Authority – 1Pe 5:8-9 teaches us that every believer has been given authority over the devil. Peter did not tell them to send a message to Paul that prayer clothes be sent to them. Peter told these believers that they themselves had the same authority that Peter and Paul had to cast the devil out of their lives. Note this parallel passage in the first epistle of Peter. Note the parallel passage in James.
Jas 4:7, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
Fuente: Everett’s Study Notes on the Holy Scriptures
Humility and vigilance enjoined:
v. 6. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God that he may exalt you in due time;
v. 7. casting all your care upon Him, for he careth for you.
v. 8. Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary, the devil, as a roaring Lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour;
v. 9. whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. The lesson which the apostle opened in the first paragraph he here concludes with an urgent appeal: Humble yourselves, then, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you in His time. The reference is to the suffering which He sends His Christians. The pride of the human heart is inclined to resent this chastisement, to murmur, and to grumble. But true Christians will repress this tendency, will willingly bow themselves under the chastening hand of their almighty Lord and Master, will cheerfully bear all the misfortunes which He thinks it best to inflict. If this is the case, then God, in His mercy, will also lift up them that are His out of the slough of despondency which threatens to engulf them, and will make them feel the fullness of His goodness in Christ Jesus.
In thus bearing the misfortunes, and even the chastisements which fall to their lot, with meekness and patience, the apostle suggests to the Christians: Casting your every care upon Him, for He cares for you. All the cares and worries of this present life, everything that bothers the Christians, in its entirety, and once and for always, they should simply cast upon their heavenly Father, making a recurrence of foolish care and worry impossible. See Psa 55:23; Mat 6:25-34, If Christians thus, by the prayer of faith, put everything that worries them into the care of their heavenly Father, they will realize and experience the truth of His many promises; they will find out that God takes a personal interest in every one of them, that without His will or permission not a hair of their head will fall to the ground.
But while yielding to God’s almighty hand, we should stand firm against the attacks and blows of Satan: Be sober, be vigilant; your adversary, the devil, like a roaring lion, is walking about, seeking whom he may devour: to whom offer resistance, firm in the faith, knowing that the selfsame sufferings are befalling your brotherhood in the world. That is the attitude of mind, the disposition, which we must find in the Christians at all times, to keep a clear mind, unclouded with the cares of this life, to be on the lookout against dangers and enemies all the time, never to slacken in vigilance for so much as a moment. For the most powerful enemy, the most mighty adversary, is the devil, the murderer from the beginning. Just as the roaring of the lion is intended to terrorize and intimidate the animals, as he goes forth to seek his prey, making them cower before him in cringing helplessness, thus the devil makes use of similar schemes. By the enmity and the threats of the children of the world he tries to reduce the Christians to a state of helpless terror, when they will be unable to resist his attack and will become a prey to him and to eternal damnation. He does not easily attack an entire congregation, but he singles out such as seem to offer the best chance for a successful onslaught. And it is the culmination of his joy if he succeeds in drawing some poor soul down into his kingdom of darkness. There is only one approved way for the Christians, individually and collectively, to save their souls at such a time, namely, by offering unyielding resistance, by being firm in the faith. For faith clings to Christ and to His Word, knowing that a single word taken from God’s eternal truth is sufficient to fell Satan with all his power. And in this resistance another thought will serve to strengthen the believers, namely, that the very same kind of sufferings is being accomplished in the case of the entire brotherhood, the entire Christian Church in the world. This world is the devil’s stamping-ground, here he exercises his power; hence we may expect that he will try with all his might to regain control also of our souls. The consciousness, therefore, that others are in the same condition, that all the other children of God in the world are suffering and battling in the same way as we are, will serve to comfort and to strengthen us.
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
1Pe 5:6. Under the mighty hand of God, “Under all the dispensations of divine providence, even though wicked men should be made the instruments of effecting its purposes.” Perhaps by this expression, the apostle might intend to remind them, that the hand of a righteous Providence was concerned in those events which were owing to the wickedness of men: so far concerned as to over-rule them, and render them instrumental and subservient to the accomplishment of his own designs. This is strongly intimated, Isa 10:5. Psa 17:14 and in many parallel places.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
1Pe 5:6 . Conclusion drawn from the Old Testament passage, . . .] see Jas 4:6 ; not: “become humble,” as Wiesinger interprets, on account of the passive (for if the meaning must be passive, in accordance with the form, it ought to be: “be made humble”), but in a middle sense: “ humble yourselves .” 1Pe 5:7 shows that this self-humbling here refers to the lowly and submissive bearing of afflictions (otherwise in Luk 14:11 ).
] Old Testament expression denoting the power of God which rules and judges all; cf. Deu 3:24 , LXX.; it does not refer here to the laying on of afflictions only (de Wette), but to the being exalted out of them (so, too, Brckner); cf. Luk 1:51 : . The purpose of this subordination: , is the glory which follows upon the sufferings; is not put (Pott), but .
] Mat 24:45 : “tempore statuto;” Erasmus: ut vos extollat, cum erit opportunum, cum judicabit id vobis expedire vel in hoc saeculo, vel in die judicii; this last is here the principal point of view.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
Ver. 6. Under the mighty hand of God ] If God can blow us to destruction,Job 4:9Job 4:9 , nod us to destruction, Psa 18:16 , what is the weight of that mighty hand of his that spans the heavens and holds the earth in the hollow of them?
That he may exalt you ] The lower the ebb, the higher is the tide. A deluge of sorrows may assault us, but they shall exalt as. And the lower the foundation of virtue is laid, the higher shall the roof of glory be overlaid.
In due time ] In the opportunity of time, in a fit season. The very Turks, though remorseless to those that bear up, yet receive humiliation with much sweetness.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
6 .] Humble yourselves (on the medial signification of some verbs in the aor. 1 pass. in the N. T., see Winer, 39. 2. The commonest example is . Cf. also , Mat 21:21 ; Rom 4:20 , &c.) therefore (the same spirit as before continues through this and the following verses: the here, and the , 1Pe 5:9 , keeping in mind their persecutions and anxieties, as also does , see below) under the mighty hand of God (on the expression, see reff., LXX. The strong hand of God is laid on the afflicted and suffering, and it is for them to acknowledge it in lowliness of mind), that He may exalt you (the Apostle refers to the often repeated saying of our Lord, Mat 23:13 , Luk 14:11 ; Luk 18:14 . The same is also found in the O. T., Psa 18:27 ; Pro 29:23 ) in (the) time ( appointed ) ( is one of those phrases in which the article is constantly omitted: see reff., and Winer, 19. 1. This humility implies patience, waiting God’s time: “ut nimi festinationi simul obviam eat,” Calv. The need not necessarily be understood as Bengel (“Petrus spe spectat diem judicii”) of the end; it is more general: cf. , 1Ti 6:15 ):
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
1Pe 5:6 . echoes the exhortation and its accompanied scripture in 1Pe 5:5 obey in order that the promise (Luk 14:11 ) may be fulfilled for you, he that humbleth himself shall be exalted ( sc. by God). So too St. James, subject yourselves therefore to God (1Pe 4:7 ). . God’s mighty hand is a common O.T. expression; see Exo 3:19 , etc. for connexion with deliverance and especially Eze 20:33 f., .
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 1Pe 5:6-11
6Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, 7casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 8Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. 10After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. 11To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.
1Pe 5:6 “humble yourselves” This is an aorist passive imperative. This is a characteristic of Jesus (cf. Mat 11:29) which becomes a standard for His followers (cf. Jas 4:10).
“the mighty hand of God” This is an anthropomorphic phrase (cf. Jas 4:6; Jas 4:10) which speaks of God’s care, provision, and faithful love, even amidst persecution. He is the “unseen hand,” as in Esther!
“that He may exalt you” This reflects Jesus’ words in Mat 23:12 and James’ admonition in Jas 4:6. YHWH is regularly depicted as resisting the proud and exalting the lowly (cf. Job 5:11; Psa 138:6; Pro 3:34; Eze 17:24; Eze 21:26).
NASB”at the proper time”
NKJV, NRSV,
NJB”in due time”
TEV”in his own time”
In context this serves two theological purposes: (1) currently these readers are going through persecution, not exaltation and (2) the time of exaltation is at the Second Coming. Alertness, humility, and lack of anxiety are crucial in the face of Satanic-inspired persecution.
1Pe 5:7 “casting all your anxiety on Him” This is an aorist active participle used as an imperative and may be an allusion to Psa 55:22 in the Septuagint. This is an idiom of mentally placing one’s concerns on Christ (cf. Mat 6:25). He carries them for us even amidst persecution and suffering. He bore our sin and now He bears our anxiety and fear!
Believers can do this because we know He cares for us. We know this from:
1. His death (cf. 1Pe 2:22-24; 1Pe 3:18)
2. His intercession (cf. 1Jn 2:1-2)
3. His shepherding (cf. 1Pe 2:25; 1Pe 5:4)
1Pe 5:8 “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert” These are aorist active imperatives. Believers are to make a decisive choice to be mentally alert (cf. Mat 24:42; Mat 25:13; Mat 26:41; Mar 13:35; Mar 13:37; Mar 14:38; Act 20:31; 1Co 16:13; Col 4:2; 1Th 5:6; 1Th 5:10; Rev 3:2-3; Rev 16:15). Peter has emphasized these (i.e., sober and alert) before (cf. 1Pe 1:13; 1Pe 4:7). Alertness and proper thinking can overcome anxiety and temptation.
“Your adversary, the devil” The term “adversary” reflects the Hebrew title for Satan (used 36 times in the NT), which means adversary. The title “devil” (used 37 times in the NT) is a Greek compound “to throw across” meaning to cast aspersions. See Special Topic below.
SPECIAL TOPIC: PERSONAL EVIL
“prowls around like a roaring lion” This animal metaphor for Satan probably comes from the OT.
1. symbol of powerful enemy (cf. Psa 7:2; Psa 10:2; Psa 17:12; Psa 22:13; Psa 22:21; 2Ti 4:17)
2. one of God’s ways to judge His people (cf. 2Ki 17:25; Isa 15:9; Jer 50:17)
“seeking someone to devour” Satan’s ultimate purpose is revealeddestruction and death. He is an enemy of all that is good, godly, and true.
1Pe 5:9 “resist him” This is another aorist active imperative. In Jesus believers have the power to resist evil and the evil one! In Jas 4:7 this same admonition is linked to Satan fleeing, but here it is linked to ongoing suffering and persecution. Victory over the devil is not the absence of suffering!
“firm in your faith” Believers must continue in their faith (cf. Col 2:5). Prosperity and health are not always signs of God’s blessings (cf. Job, Psalms 73). Believers must exercise their faith in any and all circumstances. Continuance is crucial (cf. Act 14:22; Rom 8:17).
SPECIAL TOPIC: PERSEVERANCE
“knowing that the same experiences are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world” Peter uses the common experience of believers scattered throughout the Roman Empire as an encouragement to these persecuted believers. Their experience was not unusual, but normative.
1Pe 5:10 “After you have suffered for a little while” This refers to this life (cf. 1Pe 1:6).
“the God of all grace” The hope of all believers is the settled, unchanging character of a loving, gracious, merciful God. Although we live in a fallen world of evil and rebellion, when we trust Him nothing can separate us from Him (cf. Rom 8:31-39).
The NIDOTTE, vol. 2, pp. 78-79, has a wonderful list of the genitive phrase used to describe God.
1. God of peace Rom 15:33; Rom 16:20; 1Co 14:33; 1Th 5:23; Php 4:9; Heb 13:20
2. God of mercy Luk 1:78
3. God of all comfort Rom 12:1; 2Co 1:3
4. God of all grace 1Pe 5:10; 1Pe 5:12
5. God of love 2Co 13:11
6. not the God of confusion 1Co 14:33
“who called you to His eternal glory in Christ” This is another emphasis on our identification with Christ. We are identified with Him now in His death (cf. Rom 6:4) and suffering (cf. Rom 8:17), but also His resurrection and glory (cf. 2Co 4:17; 2Ti 2:10). This eternal glory only comes experientially at physical death or the Second Coming!
1Pe 5:11 “will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you” God’s goal for all believers is Christlikeness through suffering and struggles (cf. 1Pe 4:13; Rom 8:17; 2Co 1:5; 2Co 1:7; Php 3:19; 2Ti 2:12; Heb 2:10; Heb 5:8). Yet it is He Himself who provides all that is necessary. Here again is the paradoxical covenant concept. God does His part and we must do our part!
“to Him be dominion forever and ever” This restates 1Pe 4:11, except here there is no verb. So many of the themes of 1 Peter (like 1 John) are like patterns in tapestries or melodies in music repeated with slight variation. God is in control of all things (cf. Rom 11:36).
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
Humble yourselves. See 2Co 11:7.
under. App-104.
mighty. Greek. krataios. Only here. Compare 1Co 16:13 and App-172.
that = in order that. Greek. hina.
exalt. See Joh 12:32.
due time = season.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
6.] Humble yourselves (on the medial signification of some verbs in the aor. 1 pass. in the N. T., see Winer, 39. 2. The commonest example is . Cf. also , Mat 21:21; Rom 4:20, &c.) therefore (the same spirit as before continues through this and the following verses: the here, and the , 1Pe 5:9, keeping in mind their persecutions and anxieties, as also does , see below) under the mighty hand of God (on the expression, see reff., LXX. The strong hand of God is laid on the afflicted and suffering, and it is for them to acknowledge it in lowliness of mind), that He may exalt you (the Apostle refers to the often repeated saying of our Lord, Mat 23:13, Luk 14:11; Luk 18:14. The same is also found in the O. T., Psa 18:27; Pro 29:23) in (the) time (appointed) ( is one of those phrases in which the article is constantly omitted: see reff., and Winer, 19. 1. This humility implies patience, waiting Gods time: ut nimi festinationi simul obviam eat, Calv. The need not necessarily be understood as Bengel (Petrus spe spectat diem judicii) of the end; it is more general: cf. , 1Ti 6:15):
Fuente: The Greek Testament
1Pe 5:6. , the powerful hand) The hand of God establishes different ranks; He depresses the proud, and exalts the humble. He who is subject to the ordinances of man for the Lords sake, ch. 1Pe 2:13, submits himself also to the Lord Himself. Comp. Rom 13:2.- , in due time) at the befitting time. Comp. , 1Pe 5:10. Peter often looks to the day of judgment.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Humble: Exo 10:3, Lev 26:41, 1Ki 21:29, 2Ki 22:19, 2Ch 12:6, 2Ch 12:7, 2Ch 12:12, 2Ch 30:11, 2Ch 32:26, 2Ch 33:12, 2Ch 33:19, 2Ch 33:23, 2Ch 36:12, Pro 29:23, Isa 2:11, Isa 57:15, Jer 13:18, Jer 44:10, Dan 5:22, Mic 6:8, Luk 14:11, Luk 18:14, Jam 4:10, Jam 5:10
the: Exo 3:19, Exo 32:11, Psa 89:13, 1Co 10:22
that: Job 36:22, Psa 75:10, Psa 89:16, Psa 89:17, Isa 40:4, Eze 17:21, Eze 21:6, Mat 23:12, Luk 1:52, Jam 1:9, Jam 1:10
in: Deu 32:35, Rom 5:6, 1Ti 2:6, Tit 1:3
Reciprocal: Gen 16:9 – submit Deu 4:34 – by a mighty Deu 8:2 – to humble Rth 2:7 – I pray 1Sa 3:18 – It is the Lord 2Sa 6:22 – in mine 2Sa 22:28 – but thine 2Ch 32:25 – his heart Job 1:20 – fell Job 30:21 – thy strong hand Job 40:11 – behold Psa 37:34 – exalt Psa 101:5 – an high Psa 138:6 – Though Psa 147:6 – lifteth up Pro 31:25 – Strength Ecc 7:8 – the patient Isa 39:8 – Good Dan 4:37 – those that walk Mat 25:37 – when Mat 26:33 – yet Mar 10:43 – whosoever Luk 9:48 – he that Luk 15:19 – make Luk 17:10 – General Luk 22:24 – General Rom 11:20 – Be Eph 3:8 – who am 1Ti 5:1 – entreat Heb 12:9 – shall we not
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Pe 5:6. Humble yourselves. When it is said that God gives grace to the humble (preceding verse), it means those who become such of their own accord. The proud will finally be made humble by the Lord (Mat 23:12), but such humility will bring only shame to the victim. The exaltation that is promised to the ones who willingly become humble is to come in due time, which means at the judgment day.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
1Pe 5:6. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God. Once more is the question of affliction touched, and the duty of submission urged. This time, however, the matter is pressed in connection with the statement of the general principle on which God acts in giving grace to the humble. The phrase mighty hand of God occurs nowhere else in the N. T. In the O. T. it is a figure both of mans power (Exo 3:19) and of Gods (Deu 3:24; Job 30:21, etc.). It is not limited in the O. T. to Gods power in afflicting or punishing. Neither is it so limited here. The Hand that lays low also exalts. The reason why the irresistible power of that Hand is exerted in chastening is that it may be seasonably exerted in exalting.
in order that he may exalt you in due time. God has His purpose in laying His Hand heavily upon us. That purpose can be given effect to only on condition that we be to Him what He is to us. Self-exaltation will frustrate His purpose. But if we humble ourselves as He humbles us, we shall reap the interest of tears and be glorified through sorrow. God has His own time, nevertheless, for fulfilling the purpose of His chastenings. That time, whether it come late or early,not our own hour, for which, like Mary at the marriage in Cana, we are so apt impatiently to plead,is the due time, the fit season.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
By the hand of God, understand his judgments, his almighty power, which it is our duty to submit unto, and to be humble under, in the day of our affliction; and this profound submission and deep humility is the way to glory and exaltation. He can exalt us, and will do it here, if it be good for us: but sometimes God sees abasement better for his people: better, because safer, and accordingly they shall have it.
Learn hence, That the strength and power of God should oblige us very greatly to humble ourselves before him, and subject ourselves unto him: Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God.
Secondly, That God will exalt the humble in due time, either here or hereafter; either in time or in eternity, as it shall most and best conduce to his own glory and their good.
Fuente: Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament
5:6 Humble yourselves therefore {10} under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
(10) Because those proud and lofty spirits threaten the modest and humble, the apostle warns us to set the power of God against the vanity of proud men, and to rely completely on his providence.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
3. The importance of humility and trust in God 5:6-7
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)
God’s almighty hand had permitted affliction to touch Peter’s readers. The apostle urged them to submit to God’s working in their lives as to the skillful hand of a surgeon. He assured them that God would raise them up eventually better off for their suffering (cf. Luk 14:11; Jas 1:2-4). Peter had learned to submit to God’s hand on his own life, though at times he had not been as submissive as he should have been. The Old Testament writers used God’s hand as a symbol of discipline (Exo 3:19; Exo 6:1; Job 30:21; Psa 32:4) and deliverance (Deu 9:26; Eze 20:34).