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Selected Verse: 1 Peter 5:1 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
1Pe 5:1	Strong Concordance	The elders [4245] which are among [1722] you [5213] I exhort [3870], who [3588] am also an elder [4850], and [2532] a witness [3144] of the sufferings [3804] of Christ [5547], and also [2532] a partaker [2844] of the glory [1391] that shall [3195] be revealed [601]:
	King James	The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
EXHORTATIONS TO ELDERS, JUNIORS, AND ALL IN GENERAL. PARTING PRAYER. CONCLUSION. (Pe1 5:1-14) elders--alike in office and age (Pe1 5:5). I . . . also an elder--To put one's self on a level with those whom we exhort, gives weight to one's exhortations (compare Jo2 1:1-2). Peter, in true humility for the Gospel's sake, does not put forward his apostleship here, wherein he presided over the elders. In the apostleship the apostles have no successors, for "the signs of an apostle" have not been transmitted. The presidents over the presbyters and deacons, by whatever name designated, angel, bishop, or moderator, &c., though of the same ORDER as the presbyters, yet have virtually succeeded to a superintendency of the Church analogous to that exercised by the apostles (this superintendency and priority existed from the earliest times after the apostles [TERTULLIAN]); just as the Jewish synagogue (the model which the Church followed) was governed by a council of presbyters, presided over by one of themselves, "the chief ruler of the synagogue." (Compare VITRINGA [Synagogue and Temple, Part II, chs. 3 and 7]). witness--an eye-witness of Christ's sufferings, and so qualified to exhort you to believing patience in suffering for well-doing after His example (Pe1 4:19; Pe1 2:20). This explains the "therefore" inserted in the oldest manuscripts, "I therefore exhort," resuming exhortation from Pe1 4:19. His higher dignity as an apostle is herein delicately implied, as eye-witnessing was a necessary qualification for apostleship: compare Peter's own speeches, Act 1:21-22; Act 2:32; Act 10:39. also--implying the righteous recompense corresponding to the sufferings. partaker of the glory--according to Christ's promise; an earnest of which was given in the transfiguration.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

EXHORTATIONS TO ELDERS, JUNIORS, AND ALL IN GENERAL. PARTING PRAYER. CONCLUSION. (Pe1 5:1-14)

elders--alike in office and age (Pe1 5:5).

I . . . also an elder--To put one's self on a level with those whom we exhort, gives weight to one's exhortations (compare Jo2 1:1-2). Peter, in true humility for the Gospel's sake, does not put forward his apostleship here, wherein he presided over the elders. In the apostleship the apostles have no successors, for "the signs of an apostle" have not been transmitted. The presidents over the presbyters and deacons, by whatever name designated, angel, bishop, or moderator, &c., though of the same ORDER as the presbyters, yet have virtually succeeded to a superintendency of the Church analogous to that exercised by the apostles (this superintendency and priority existed from the earliest times after the apostles [TERTULLIAN]); just as the Jewish synagogue (the model which the Church followed) was governed by a council of presbyters, presided over by one of themselves, "the chief ruler of the synagogue." (Compare VITRINGA [Synagogue and Temple, Part II, chs. 3 and 7]).

witness--an eye-witness of Christ's sufferings, and so qualified to exhort you to believing patience in suffering for well-doing after His example (Pe1 4:19; Pe1 2:20). This explains the "therefore" inserted in the oldest manuscripts, "I therefore exhort," resuming exhortation from Pe1 4:19. His higher dignity as an apostle is herein delicately implied, as eye-witnessing was a necessary qualification for apostleship: compare Peter's own speeches, Act 1:21-22; Act 2:32; Act 10:39.

also--implying the righteous recompense corresponding to the sufferings.

partaker of the glory--according to Christ's promise; an earnest of which was given in the transfiguration.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
The elders which are among you I exhort - The word "elder" means, properly, "one who is old;" but it is frequently used in the New Testament as applicable to the officers of the church; probably because aged persons were at first commonly appointed to these offices. See Act 11:30, note; Act 14:23, note; Act 15:2, note. There is evidently an allusion here to the fact that such persons were selected on account of their age, because in the following verses (Pe1 5:4) the apostle addresses particularly the younger. It is worthy of remark, that he here refers only to one class of ministers. He does not speak of three "orders," of "bishops, priests, and deacons;" and the evidence from the passage here is quite strong that there were no such orders in the churches of Asia Minor, to which this Epistle was directed. It is also worthy of remark, that the word "exhort" is here used. The language which Peter uses is not that of stern and arbitrary command; it is that of kind and mild Christian exhortation. Compare the notes at Plm 1:8-9. Who am also an elder - Greek: "a fellow-presbyter," (συμπρεσβύτερος sumpresbuteros.) This word occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It means that he was a co-presbyter with them; and he makes this one of the grounds of his exhortation to them. He does not put it on the ground of his apostolical authority; or urge it because he was the vicegerent of Christ; or because he was the head of the church; or because he had any pre-eminence over others in any way. Would he have used this language if he had been the "head of the church" on earth? Would he if he supposed that the distinction between apostles and other ministers was to be perpetuated? Would he if he believed that there were to be distinct orders of clergy? The whole drift of this passage is adverse to such a supposition. And a witness of the sufferings of Christ - Peter was indeed a witness of the sufferings of Christ when on his trial, and doubtless also when he was scourged and mocked, and when he was crucified. After his denial of his Lord, he wept bitterly, and evidently then followed him to the place where he was crucified, and, in company with others, observed with painful solicitude the last agonies of his Saviour. It is not, so far as I know, expressly said in the Gospels that Peter was pre sent at the crucifixion of the Saviour; but it is said Luk 23:49 that "all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things," and nothing is more probable than that Peter was among them. His warm attachment to his Master, and his recent bitter repentance for having denied him, would lead him to follow him to the place of his death; for after the painful act of denying him he would not be likely to expose himself to the charge of neglect, or of any want of love again. His own solemn declaration here makes it certain that he was present. He alludes to it now, evidently because it qualified him to exhort those whom he addressed. It would be natural to regard with special respect one who had actually seen the Saviour in his last agony, and nothing would be more impressive than an exhortation falling from the lips of such a man. A son would be likely to listen with great respect to any suggestions which should be made by one who had seen his father or mother die. The impression which Peter had of that scene he would desire to have transferred to those whom he addressed, that by a lively view of the sufferings of their Saviour they might be excited to fidelity in his cause. And a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed - Another reason to make his exhortation impressive and solemn. He felt that he was an heir of life. He was about to partake of the glories of heaven. Looking forward, as they did also, to the blessed world before him and them, he had a right to exhort them to the faithful performance of duty. Anyone, who is himself an heir of salvation, may appropriately exhort his fellow-Christians to fidelity in the service of their common Lord.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
Also an elder (συμπρεσβύτερος) Only here in New Testament. Better, as Rev., fellow-elder. The expression is decisive against the primacy of Peter. Witness (μάρτυς) The word is used in the New Testament to denote (a) a spectator or eye-witness (Act 10:39; Act 6:13). (b) One who testifies to what he has seen (Act 1:8; Act 5:32). (c) In the forensic sense, a witness in court (Mat 26:65; Mar 14:63). (d) One who vindicates his testimony by suffering: a martyr (Act 22:20; Heb 12:1; Rev 2:13; Rev 17:6). The first three meanings run into each other. The eye-witness, as a spectator, is always such with a view to giving testimony. Hence this expression of Peter cannot be limited to the mere fact of his having seen what he preached; especially since, when he wishes to emphasize this fact, he employs another word, ἐπόπτης (Pe2 1:16). Therefore he speaks of himself as a witness, especially in the sense of being called to testify of what he has seen. Partaker (κοινωνός) This use of the word, expressing a present realization of something not yet attained, occurs in no other writer in the New Testament. See on Pe2 1:4.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
I who am a fellow - elder - So the first though not the head of the apostles appositely and modestly styles himself. And a witness of the sufferings of Christ - Having seen him suffer, and now suffering for him.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
The elders which are among you - In this place the term πρεσβυτεροι, elders or presbyters is the name of an office. They were as pastors or shepherds of the flock of God, the Christian people among whom they lived. They were the same as bishops, presidents, teachers and deacons, Act 14:23; Ti1 5:17. And that these were the same as bishops the next verse proves. Who am also an elder - Συμπρεσβυτερος· A fellow elder; one on a level with yourselves. Had he been what the popes of Rome say he was - the prince of the apostles; and head of the Church, and what they affect to be - mighty secular lords, binding the kings of the earth in chains, and their nobles in fetters of iron; could he have spoken of himself as he here does? It is true that the Roman pontiffs, in all their bulls, each style themselves servus servorum Dei, servant of the servants of God, while each affects to be rex regum, king of kings, and vicar of Jesus Christ. But the popes and the Scriptures never agree. A witness of the sufferings of Christ - He was with Christ in the garden; he was with him when he was apprehended. and he was with him in the high priest's hall. Whether he followed him to the cross we know not; probably he did not, for in the hall of the high priest he had denied him most shamefully; and, having been deeply convinced of the greatness of his crime, it is likely he withdrew to some private place, to humble himself before God, and to implore mercy. He could, however, with the strictest propriety, say, from the above circumstances, that he was a witness of the sufferings of Christ. A partaker of the glory - He had a right to it through the blood of the Lamb; he had a blessed anticipation of it by the power of the Holy Ghost; and he had the promise from his Lord and Master that he should be with him in heaven, to behold his glory; Joh 17:21, Joh 17:24.

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³⁹ And [2532] we [2249] are [2070] witnesses [3144] of all things [3956] which [3739] he did [4160] both [5037] in [1722] the land [5561] of the Jews [2453], and [2532] in [1722] Jerusalem [2419]; whom [3739] they slew [337] and hanged [2910] on [1909] a tree [3586]:

³² This [5126] Jesus [2424] hath [450] God [2316] raised up [450], whereof [3739] we [2249] all [3956] are [2070] witnesses [3144].

²¹ Wherefore [3767] of these [5130] men [435] which have companied [4905] with us [2254] all [3956] the time [5550] that [1722] [3739] the Lord [2962] Jesus [2424] went [1831] in [1525] and [2532] out [1831] among [1909] us [2248],
²² Beginning [756] from [575] the baptism [908] of John [2491], unto [2193] that same day [2250] that [3739] he was taken up [353] from [575] us [2257], must [1163] one [1520] be ordained [1096] to be a witness [3144] with [4862] us [2254] of his [846] resurrection [386].

¹⁹ Wherefore [5620] [2532] let [3908] them that suffer [3958] according to [2596] the will [2307] of God [2316] commit the keeping [3908] of their [1438] souls [5590] to him in [1722] well doing [16], as [5613] unto a faithful [4103] Creator [2939].

²⁰ For [1063] what [4169] glory [2811] is it, if [1487], when [2532] ye be buffeted [2852] for your faults [264], ye shall take it patiently [5278]? but [235] if [1487], when ye do well [15], and [2532] suffer [3958] for it, ye take it patiently [5278], this [5124] is acceptable [5485] with [3844] God [2316].

¹ The elder [4245] unto the elect [1588] lady [2959] and [2532] her [846] children [5043], whom [3739] I [1473] love [25] in [1722] the truth [225]; and [2532] not [3756] I [1473] only [3441], but [235] also [2532] all [3956] they that have known [1097] the truth [225];
² For [1223] the truth's sake [225], which [3588] dwelleth [3306] in [1722] us [2254], and [2532] shall be [2071] with [3326] us [2257] for [1519] ever [165].

⁵ Likewise [3668], ye younger [3501], submit yourselves [5293] unto the elder [4245]. Yea [1161], all [3956] of you be subject [5293] one to another [240], and be clothed [1463] with humility [5012]: for [3754] God [2316] resisteth [498] the proud [5244], and [1161] giveth [1325] grace [5485] to the humble [5011].

¹ The elders [4245] which are among [1722] you [5213] I exhort [3870], who [3588] am also an elder [4850], and [2532] a witness [3144] of the sufferings [3804] of Christ [5547], and also [2532] a partaker [2844] of the glory [1391] that shall [3195] be revealed [601]:
² Feed [4165] the flock [4168] of God [2316] which is among [1722] you [5213], taking the oversight [1983] thereof, not [3361] by constraint [317], but [235] willingly [1596]; not [3366] for filthy lucre [147], but [235] of a ready mind [4290];
³ Neither [3366] as [5613] being lords over [2634] God's heritage [2819], but [235] being [1096] ensamples [5179] to the flock [4168].
⁴ And [2532] when the chief Shepherd [750] shall appear [5319], ye shall receive [2865] a crown [4735] of glory [1391] that fadeth not away [262].
⁵ Likewise [3668], ye younger [3501], submit yourselves [5293] unto the elder [4245]. Yea [1161], all [3956] of you be subject [5293] one to another [240], and be clothed [1463] with humility [5012]: for [3754] God [2316] resisteth [498] the proud [5244], and [1161] giveth [1325] grace [5485] to the humble [5011].
⁶ Humble yourselves [5013] therefore [3767] under [5259] the mighty [2900] hand [5495] of God [2316], that [2443] he may exalt [5312] you [5209] in [1722] due time [2540]:
⁷ Casting [1977] all [3956] your [5216] care [3308] upon [1909] him [846]; for [3754] he [846] careth [3199] for [4012] you [5216].
⁸ Be sober [3525], be vigilant [1127]; because [3754] your [5216] adversary [476] the devil [1228], as [5613] a roaring [5612] lion [3023], walketh about [4043], seeking [2212] whom [5101] he may devour [2666]:
⁹ Whom [3739] resist [436] stedfast [4731] in the faith [4102], knowing [1492] that the same [846] afflictions [3804] are accomplished [2005] in your [5216] brethren [81] that are in [1722] the world [2889].
¹⁰ But [1161] the God [2316] of all [3956] grace [5485], who [3588] hath called [2564] us [2248] unto [1519] his [846] eternal [166] glory [1391] by [1722] Christ [5547] Jesus [2424], after that ye have suffered [3958] a while [3641], [846] make [2675] you [5209] perfect [2675], stablish [4741], strengthen [4599], settle [2311] you.
¹¹ To him [846] be glory [1391] and [2532] dominion [2904] for [1519] ever [165] and ever [165]. Amen [281].
¹² By [1223] Silvanus [4610], a faithful [4103] brother [80] unto you [5213], as [5613] I suppose [3049], I have written [1125] briefly [1223] [3641], exhorting [3870], and [2532] testifying [1957] that this [5026] is [1511] the true [227] grace [5485] of God [2316] wherein [1519] [3739] ye stand [2476].
¹³ The church that is at [1722] Babylon [897], elected together with [4899] you, saluteth [782] you [5209]; and [2532] so doth Marcus [3138] my [3450] son [5207].
¹⁴ Greet ye [782] one another [240] with [1722] a kiss [5370] of charity [26]. Peace [1515] be with you [5213] all [3956] that are in [1722] Christ [5547] Jesus [2424]. Amen [281].

⁴⁹ And [1161] all [3956] his [846] acquaintance [1110], and [2532] the women [1135] that followed [4870] him [846] from [575] Galilee [1056], stood [2476] afar off [3113], beholding [3708] these things [5023].

⁸ Wherefore [1352], though I might be [2192] much [4183] bold [3954] in [1722] Christ [5547] to enjoin [2004] thee [4671] that which is convenient [433],
⁹ Yet for [1223] love's [26] sake I [3870] rather [3123] beseech [3870] thee, being [5607] such an one [5108] as [5613] Paul [3972] the aged [4246], and [1161] now [3570] also [2532] a prisoner [1198] of Jesus [2424] Christ [5547].

⁴ And [2532] when the chief Shepherd [750] shall appear [5319], ye shall receive [2865] a crown [4735] of glory [1391] that fadeth not away [262].

² When therefore [3767] Paul [3972] and [2532] Barnabas [921] had [1096] no [3756] small [3641] dissension [4714] and [2532] disputation [4803] with [4314] them [846], they determined [5021] that Paul [3972] and [2532] Barnabas [921], and [2532] certain [5100] other [243] of [1537] them [846], should go up [305] to [1519] Jerusalem [2419] unto [4314] the apostles [652] and [2532] elders [4245] about [4012] this [5127] question [2213].

²³ And [1161] when they had ordained [5500] them [846] elders [4245] in every [2596] church [1577], and had prayed [4336] with [3326] fasting [3521], they commended [3908] them [846] to the Lord [2962], on [1519] whom [3739] they believed [4100].

³⁰ Which [3739] also [2532] they did [4160], and sent it [649] to [4314] the elders [4245] by [1223] the hands [5495] of Barnabas [921] and [2532] Saul [4569].

⁴ Whereby [1223] [3739] are given [1433] unto us [2254] exceeding great [3176] and [2532] precious [5093] promises [1862]: that [2443] by [1223] these [5130] ye might be [1096] partakers [2844] of the divine [2304] nature [5449], having escaped [668] the corruption [5356] that is in [1722] the world [2889] through [1722] lust [1939].

¹⁶ For [1063] we have [1811] not [3756] followed [1811] cunningly devised [4679] fables [3454], when we made known [1107] unto you [5213] the power [1411] and [2532] coming [3952] of our [2257] Lord [2962] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547], but [235] were [1096] eyewitnesses [2030] of his [1565] majesty [3168].

⁶ And [2532] I saw [1492] the woman [1135] drunken [3184] with [1537] the blood [129] of the saints [40], and [2532] with [1537] the blood [129] of the martyrs [3144] of Jesus [2424]: and [2532] when I saw [1492] her [846], I wondered [2296] with great [3173] admiration [2295].

¹³ I know [1492] thy [4675] works [2041], and [2532] where [4226] thou dwellest [2730], even where [3699] Satan's [4567] seat [2362] is: and [2532] thou holdest fast [2902] my [3450] name [3686], and [2532] hast [720] not [3756] denied [720] my [3450] faith [4102], even [2532] in [1722] those days [2250] wherein [1722] [3739] Antipas [493] was my [3450] faithful [4103] martyr [3144], who [3739] was slain [615] among [3844] you [5213], where [3699] Satan [4567] dwelleth [2730].

¹ Wherefore [5105] seeing we also [2532] are [2192] compassed about [4029] [2254] with so great [5118] a cloud [3509] of witnesses [3144], let [659] us [2249] lay aside [659] every [3956] weight [3591], and [2532] the sin [266] which doth so easily beset [2139] us, and let us run [5143] with [1223] patience [5281] the race [73] that is set before [4295] us [2254],

²⁰ And [2532] when [3753] the blood [129] of thy [4675] martyr [3144] Stephen [4736] was shed [1632], I [846] also [2532] was [2252] standing by [2186], and [2532] consenting [4909] unto his [846] death [336], and [2532] kept [5442] the raiment [2440] of them that slew [337] him [846].

⁶³ Then [1161] the high priest [749] rent [1284] his [846] clothes [5509], and saith [3004], What [5101] need [5532] we [2192] any further [2089] witnesses [3144]?

⁶⁵ Then [5119] the high priest [749] rent [1284] his [846] clothes [2440], saying [3004], [3754] He hath spoken blasphemy [987]; what [5101] further [2089] need [5532] have we [2192] of witnesses [3144]? behold [2396], now [3568] ye have heard [191] his [846] blasphemy [988].

³² And [2532] we [2249] are [2070] his [846] witnesses [3144] of these [5130] things [4487]; and [2532] so is also [1161] the Holy [40] Ghost [4151], whom [3739] God [2316] hath given [1325] to them that obey [3980] him [846].

⁸ But [235] ye shall receive [2983] power [1411], after that the Holy [40] Ghost [4151] is come [1904] upon [1909] you [5209]: and [2532] ye shall be [2071] witnesses [3144] unto me [3427] both [5037] in [1722] Jerusalem [2419], and [2532] in [1722] all [3956] Judaea [2449], and [2532] in Samaria [4540], and [2532] unto [2193] the uttermost part [2078] of the earth [1093].

¹³ And [5037] set up [2476] false [5571] witnesses [3144], which said [3004], This [5127] man [444] ceaseth [3973] not [3756] to speak [2980] blasphemous [989] words [4487] against [2596] this [3778] holy [40] place [5117], and [2532] the law [3551]:

²⁴ Father [3962], I will [2309] that [2443] they also [2548], whom [3739] thou hast given [1325] me [3427], be [5600] with [3326] me [1700] where [3699] I [1473] am [1510]; that [2443] they may behold [2334] my [1699] glory [1391], which [3739] thou hast given [1325] me [3427]: for [3754] thou lovedst [25] me [3165] before [4253] the foundation [2602] of the world [2889].

²¹ That [2443] they all [3956] may be [5600] one [1520]; as [2531] thou [4771], Father [3962], art in [1722] me [1698], and I [2504] in [1722] thee [4671], that [2443] they [846] also [2532] may be [5600] one [1520] in [1722] us [2254]: that [2443] the world [2889] may believe [4100] that [3754] thou [4771] hast sent [649] me [3165].

¹⁷ Let [515] the elders [4245] that rule [4291] well [2573] be counted worthy [515] of double [1362] honour [5092], especially [3122] they who labour [2872] in [1722] the word [3056] and [2532] doctrine [1319].