Peter 5:1-14 “The Paradox of Faithful Presence” (Part 1 of 3)
[First Things]
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[THE DEVO] The Public Community of Faithful Presence
So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 1And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:1–11.
We come to the final section of Peter’s letter. When this letter arrived in a particular city, excited words would have spread about a communication from an Apostle who had served with the Lord. The elect exiles would have come together, anticipating what Peter had to say. They would have given their complete and undivided attention to the expected doctrinal teaching, practical guidance, and pastoral care. It’s unlikely that anyone would have taken notes, although it is likely that the letter would have been copied before it was sent on to the next church in Asia Minor. After hearing the letter, there may have been discussion and explanation, but once they left the meeting, all they had was their memory of what they had learned.
In our modern manner of Sunday worship and sermon delivery, focusing on individual pericopes (thought-cohesive passages of Scripture) allows for a deeper unpacking of particular spiritual, emotional, relational, vocational, ideological, cultural, and evangelical aspects of the passage. However, it obscures the nature and message of the author’s original speech-act as we fail to discern internal literary allusions, disconnect overarching themes, and lose sight of the indicative support for the imperative charge. In the case of this letter, we may fail to fully grasp the rhetorical methodology Peter uses to emphasize the imperative charge to embrace a posture of faithful presence in all of life. Despite this challenge, we are helped by the Holy Spirit’s hand in constructing the letter so that most of the themes from the earlier parts of the letter are revisited and reemphasized in this final section.
The Return of the House Table
Observant readers will note the unmistakable return to the House Table format in verses 1-5, with Peter adding the lives of those in the church to the traditional list of those on the weak end of society’s earthly power differentials: citizen/ruler, wives/husbands, servants/masters, children/parents. In the Excurses preceding Section 2, we introduced and discussed the concept of House Tables in guiding life in the Roman Empire. In earlier devotionals, we examined Peter’s repackaging of these House Tables to the lives of the elect exiles of Asia Minor and noted that the Apostle Paul did the same in Ephesians 5:21-6:9 and Colossians 3:18-4:1. But here, the Apostle to who heard Jesus say, “On this Rock, I will build my church,” brings the Aristolian inspired code of virtures for flourishing, and places them where they belong, in and for the church, because the church is the central community upon which God is focused.
The church, therefore, is the public community of faithful presence. This is the first paradox of faithful presence. It is a prescriptive call for the church to describe the lives of its members. The church is the place where individual followers of Christ are equipped to flourish as they participate in Christ’s mission of making all things new through intentional spiritual, emotional, relational, vocational, ideological, cultural, and evangelical formation. It is a place composed of Christians who are fallen (sinful), fragged (sinned against), finite (limited in capacity), and fragile (unable to bear all things) who come together to receive care and encouragement to sustain their long obedience in the same direction. The church is where they are reminded that this is not the way thighs are supposed to be and not the way it always will be. And as Peter has already said,
4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:4–5.
A truth echoed by Paul in his letter to the Ephesians,
18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. Eph 2:18–22.
The church is a spiritual house, filled with living stones, who are being built up through the work of the Holy Spirit and whole-life discipleship into a spiritual house, actually knit-together in Christ, the cornerstone, to be a a holy priesthood that proclaim’s the excellencencies of the one who called us out of darkness and into his marvelous light, through offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ that include our vocational work in encouraging what is good, restoring what is broken, creating what is missing, and opposing that which is evil. Again, this is the work of the whole structure, which is built upon the foundation of the apostles and acts as the presence of God on earth until Christ returns.
Therefore, the way we handle ourselves in the church matters.
Leading Differently
He begins with, “So I exhort the elders among you,” which would have startled the original hearers due to this break with his previous pattern. At first reading, it appears Peter is breaking with his established format of starting with those on the weak side of the earthly power differential before providing direction for those on the high side. But a closer look reveals that no such break has occurred. Rather, Peter is actually emphasizing a Christ-centered approach to leadership when he says in verse 2, “as God would have you.” The Apostle’s clear intent is to say that the elders are Subject to God, and should shepherd as such. Just as he did in the earlier household codes, Peter gets specific, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.”
A quick Google search will reveal the names of high-profile pastors whose ministry came to an end as a result of a moral failure. Normally, when Christians use the phrase “moral failure,” they are referring to some sort of sexual sin. But Scripture takes a far less limited view as we learn from the familiar passage in Galatians 5,
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. Galatians 5:18–21.
Peter and Paul were both aware that leaders needed spiritual formation, yet, often driven by emotional woundedness, were prone to committing relational sins, which are deeply damaging to the individual living stones that comprise the church. Those whom God has placed into positions of vocational leadership of others are called to conform not ultimately to ideological concepts constructed by researchers, or cultural standards of leadership but to view their leadership as an evangelical opportunity to offer foretastes of the coming kingdom to everyone they work with.
What is true of the church also applies to the public square. Christians leading in Washington have been placed into positions of leadership in order to serve God. In every office, the leader who is a Christian should be known not for their vocal articulation of Bible verses but for the way in which they treat the person gunning for their job, and also the intern. When viewed through this lens, leaders are serving God through the huge job of shepherding others’ service. Christian leaders do not lead for glory but to give glory.
Following Differently
Peter’s statement, “Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders,” makes a clear connection to the earlier house tables. Being subject, as we have seen, is not easy and is a constant source of our human problems. A few examples will help us understand what it means to follow differently.
In Genesis, we read that God formed man somewhere else and then placed him in the Garden to work it and keep it. He gave him someone to help him and commissioned them both to fulfill the Creation Mandate,
26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
27 So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” Genesis 1:26–28.
Only the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil was off limits. But their subjection to God in that area was an issue that the Serpent exposed and exploited,
3 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made.
He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, 3 but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ” 4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:1–5.
We have already examined the spiritual, emotional, relational, vocational, ideological, cultural, and evangelical consequences of Adam and Eve’s unwillingness to serve God as followers according to their instruction. In Luke, we read of another temptation to entice someone from following God,
4 And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness 2 for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” 4 And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’ ” 5 And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, 6 and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. 7 If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” 8 And Jesus answered him, “It is written,
“ ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’ ”
9 And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, 10 for it is written,
“ ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,’
11 and
“ ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’ ”12 And Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.” 13 And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time. Luke 4:1–1
Satan offered Jesus something that was, in fact, not his to give. But because Jesus trusted the words of his Father, he was comfortable following the path laid out for him. For those following as servants in the church and/or in the public square, we are called to remember that we are called to serve differently, despite the offers that may come to put ourselves first.
Application questions
Considering this passage and its “house table” format, how would you evaluate your posture within your own church and the church’s posture towards you?
What thoughts does this passage elicit about the conduct and perception of the evangelical church more broadly?
How is your church equipping individuals in their spiritual, emotional, relational, vocational, ideological, cultural, and evangelical formation? Are there places you could assist them?
How have your perceptions about the proportionality of the“fallen, fragged, finite, and fragile” paradigm within your own life changed throughout the course of this study?
[Faithful Prayer]
Cabinet Agency: The servants and leaders at the Department of Education, and Secretary Linda McMahon, as they seek to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access for students of all ages.
Think Tank, Lobby group, NGO: The American Federation for Children, as it pursues its mission to empower families, especially lower-income families, with the freedom to choose the best K-12 education for their children.
Weekly delegation: The servants and leaders with the state delegation of Oregon, as the White House sends US troops to Portland to protect immigration enforcement.
News events: On September 26, Secretary McMahon announced the 161 high school seniors who are to be recognized as the 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholars. Out of the 3.9 million students who graduated from high school this year, more than 6,400 qualified for consideration for the 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholars award through exceptional SAT or ACT scores, or through nominations by chief state school officers and partner recognition organizations.
Since its establishment in 1964, the Presidential Scholars Program has honored over 8,600 of the nation’s highest-achieving students. Originally focused on academic excellence, the program expanded in 1979 to include students with exceptional artistic talent, and in 2015, it was further broadened to recognize outstanding achievement in career and technical education.
Personal requests: For someone contemplating a career change that would involve moving a family with teens. For a senior official, overwhelmed with a project garnering a lot of national attention. For someone going through the confirmation process. For Congressional members and their key staff, working through the negotiations on a budget agreement to avoid a shutdown. For the thousands of federal workers who have no leverage in the budget negotiations.
[The Page, The Pod & The Stack]
READ this FIRST → New York Times thought-provoking opinion piece by David Brooks on the relationship between politics and partisanship and the Christian faith.
READ this NEXT → The Gospel Coalition has a great read by Joe Carter on the perception and definition of “evangelical:” When ‘Evangelical’ Means Everything but the Gospel
Christianity Today published a thought-provoking article, “Kierkegaard Is for the Deconstructor” by Haley Wilt, examining the work of Kierkegaard, specifically his book Practice in Christianity, and the ways it can encourage those who are experiencing doubt, discouragement, and despair.
Acton University recently released an article by Dr. Marcus Peter on “Subsidiarity, Not Supranationalism,” centering on how human dignity is best preserved by empowering local virtue, not expanding bureaucratic reach.
Our friends at the Center for Public Justice published an important essay on the intersection of policy, the protection of LGBTQ+ foster youth, and religious foster families: “Protecting LGBTQ Foster Youth Does Not Require Excluding Religious Parents.”
[What’s Happening?]
This Week
Monday, September 29, 10:30 am - 12:00 pm EDT, Brookings is hosting a hybrid event on the Pursuit of Purpose in the age of AI.
Tuesday, September 30, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm EDT, The Urban Institute is hosting an in-person event that will focus on the financial health and well-being of young adults in America.
Thursday, October 2, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EDT, The Heritage Foundation is hosting a virtual preview of the upcoming Supreme Court 2025-2026 term featuring Zach Smith, James Burham, and Chad Squitieri.
Thursday, October 2, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm EDT, The Center for Public Justice will host their 28th annual Kuyper Lecture in-person, featuring Gert-Jan Segers, former member of the Dutch Parliament, speaking on How Faith Can Save Government of, by and for the People.
Saturday, October 4, 11:00 am - 7:00 pm EDT, Vienna is jumping into October by hosting its Oktoberfest! There will be beer, wine, food, entertainment, and activities for kids and families.
Next week
Tuesday, October 7, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm EDT, Baylor in Washington is hosting a panel on Politics and the Problem of Dirty Hands to discuss political leadership and morality.
Wednesday, October 8, 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm EDT, The Hudson Institute hosts a hybrid event, Relearning Great Power Diplomacy: A Conversation with Wess Mitchell, one of America’s foremost strategists, Wess Mitchell, argues that the United States needs to relearn how to build winning alliances, splinter enemy coalitions, and, when necessary, make peace with former adversaries.
Friday, October 10, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EDT, Faith and Law is hosting Dr. Robert George to share his thoughts on faith and the First Amendment.
Friday, October 10, 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm EDT, The Trinity Forum is hosting an online conversation with Molly Worthen on charisma in leadership.
Saturday - Sunday, October 11-12, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm EDT, The Catoctin Colorfest will take place rain or shine, featuring local art, jewelry, crafts, and food.
[Two Thumbs Up!] Moving to monthly!
It’s always encouraging to learn that our reviews of books, movies, restaurants, music, and locales have inspired readers to “taste and see that the [insert book, movie, restaurant, music, or locale] is good!” We also enjoy discovering these gems, because every single one comes from firsthand experience.
Rather than lowering quality to maintain our Presence Weekly schedule, we’ve decided to adjust its frequency to at least once a month. Whenever we have something worthy of recommending, and no less than monthly, we will share the source of our enjoyment with you.
[Last Things]
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