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Expanded Comments |
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| 1 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: |
The elders – The Apostle has been addressing the elders of the Church, exhorting them to give attention to the feeding of God's flock and pointing out what should be the constraining influence to such a service. R2654:2
A position fraught with responsibilities to the Lord and to the flock, as well as with besetments to himself. R2654:5
Appointed because of aptness to teach--to point out the instructions of our Lord and the apostles upon any subject. R2654:3
They should be examples in the matter of meekness, and courtesy, so that as the brethren would copy these elders the spirit of the Lord would prevail. R2654:3
The Apostle distinctly points out that a servant is not a ruler, that a servant has no authority. R2654:2
The Lord does not raise up rulers from among our brethren in the Body of Christ, but he does raise up faithful leaders, to whom earnest heed should be given, and whose faith and example should be imitated. R1559:4
Those who have been called to the position of eldership amongst the Lord's people should consider this an honor and a privilege from the Lord but it also has great temptation and great danger. R5185:3
In seeking this position let each one remember that there is danger of the development of pride and the assumption of power. R5185:3
The term "elder" would signify an elder brother, not necessarily an elder in years, but matured in Christian character. R1894:3
Am also an elder – To be an Apostle it was necessary that Peter be esteemed an elder. F244
Sufferings of Christ – The sufferings of Christ, Head and Body, have been going on for more than eighteen centuries. They will be over when the last member shall have passed into the heavenly condition. R5341:3, 4710:5; T50
Our Lord was an example for all the Church who are justified through faith in his blood. R4964:6
Stephen had the high honor of being the first one of the brethren to follow the Master's footsteps in a sacrificial death. R2952:1
Partaker of the glory – The Church will share in his glory; they have also a share in the first resurrection. R4964:6
When he shall appear, we also shall appear with him in glory. (Col. 3:4) R579:5, 263:2, 19:2
As the wife is the glory of the husband, so the Bride is the glory of Christ. We know that Christ could not come into the glory of his Kingdom (Church) until he has first gathered it from the world. R19:2, 579:5, 263:2
Shall be revealed – Greek, apokalupsis; uncovered, unveiled. R2979:3
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| 2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; |
Feed the flock – With meat in due season; avoiding teachers that have ears that itch for popularity and flattery. E284
The lambs and sheep make one flock, and there is but one Shepherd, who superintends and cares for all. R118:3*
The elders are not commissioned to shear, frighten nor club the sheep. R2655:4
Of God – Not, your flock, your people, your church, as many ministers today speak. F231; R1523:6
"My sheep know my voice." (John 10:27) F247, F249
Taking the oversight – To feed them with the truth, to guard them against the wolves in sheep's clothing, and in a general way, to act as their representatives. R1890:3
Not by constraint – Requiring urging. R1892:6
But willingly – Willing to assume the labors and responsibilities of the service. R1892:6
Not for filthy lucre – In the early Church the elders served weekly meetings without thought of compensation; probably continuing their usual work or business for a livelihood. R1822:4
There are noble and ignoble ambitions. R5185:1
Of a ready mind – With a desire to serve the Lord and the brethren. R2500:2, 1892:6
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| 3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being patterns to the flock. |
As being lords – Ecclesiastical potentates, Doctors of divinity, etc. R3217:3
Assuming to be lords. R1895:4
Attempting to take the place of the Lord and acting arrogantly toward the brethren. R4503:2, 2446:5
It would be wrong for a class to permit an elder to "boss" it; injurious to both the elders and to class interests. R5921:3
The elders should remember that they are not the Chief Shepherd, but only the under-shepherds. R5185:3, 4772:4
If any should lord it over the flock, he would bring injury to himself as well as to the Church; he would be cultivating a spirit of pride. R5185:3
The spirit of ambition, rivalry, and desire to be greatest amongst the Lord's people is one of the most dangerous foes of the Church, not only to those over whom they rule, but also to those who will be rulers and teachers. R5268:6
Dispensing their own wisdom, or the wisdom of other men instead of the Word of the Lord. R3356:4
Peter recognized no clerical orders. OV160:5
Beginning before 325 AD, this doctrine had been growing; the bishops began to manifest the attitude that they were higher than the common people, that they were the church and the common people the laity. OV411:3
It is indeed true, that whoever exercises the gift of teaching lays himself open to increased responsibility in the sight of God and men. R2156:3
It would be just as contrary to the Lord's spirit if the class were to lord it over the elders. R4772:4
Over God's heritage – The Church. R2446:5
Being ensamples – Patterns of humility, faithfulness, zeal and godliness. R1523:6, 1553:3
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| 4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. |
The chief Shepherd – The Lord established but one Church, and over that one Church he himself is the only "Lord" and "Head," the only authority. R1893:4
A crown of glory – Immortality, the divine nature. A215; R1077:4
This crown that is reserved for us is conditional. CR406:6
It is the reward which brings glory, honor and immortality. R5499:3
Another name for the glory of the Kingdom, the glory of immortality, the glory of the Father's favor, the glory of being joint-heirs with Christ in his Kingdom. R3211:6
"To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." (Rev. 3:21) R2732:5
In their glorified condition the faithful will be the exalted seed of Abraham with the glorious mission of blessing Israel after the flesh and all the families of the earth. NS540:6
A crown is an emblem of honor, dignity and authority. NS134:1
Fadeth not away – The Lord will give to his overcoming Bride the crown of life "that fadeth not away." (1 Pet. 1:4) R1077:4
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| 5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. |
Submit yourselves – We should submit ourselves as far as possible to every reasonable regulation; but when it is a matter of conscience we are to have sufficient courage and manhood to stand by that conscience so we would not violate it. Q102:2
We are cautioned not to defy the elders, nor to blindly and worshipfully follow them without proving their teachings by the Word of God. R1895:4
Unto the elder – "Elder" has the significance of "older," yet amongst the Lord's brethren it is not merely years of natural life that is to be taken into consideration; in the Lord's family we sometimes see "babes" with gray hairs. R2654:6
Some grow more rapidly and mature more quickly than others. R2654:6
Subject one to another – We are to be subject to the Lord and every ordinance of God; and to consider the truly consecrated people of God as a unit and to seek to cooperate one with another. R3060:5
To hear gladly from the humblest of the flock; and be willing to yield his own preference, so far as his judgment and conscience would permit. R2655:1
In humility and meekness, we are to harmoniously cooperate together as one body for upbuilding in love and all the Christian graces, and for the general advancement of the work of the Lord. R1895:4
All are so anxious to serve and so independent in their feelings that it sometimes means as many different plans and arrangements as there are members in the class; patience, forbearance and love are qualities greatly needed. R5513:6
Clothed with humility – We must be very childlike and humble. R135:4, 271:4
No cross-grained will of ours to oppose or thwart the will of God being done in us. R271:4
Humility is one of the basic principles of a properly crystalized character. R5843:4 "Gird yourself with humility, to serve one another." (Revised Version) R5361:3, 5362:6
Justice and humility are set forth in the Scriptures as essential to the development of the proper character on the part of God's very elect. NS16:2
The humble spirit seeketh not its own, is not puffed up, does not attempt to speculate upon inflated values, does not think of itself more highly than it ought to think, but thinks soberly--neither overrating, nor underrating its own acquirements or achievements. R5185:5
Outside of every other adornment of character, and covering all others, should be this robe of humble-mindedness, the opposite disposition to pride. R2655:2
God resisteth – Because the Almighty sees that we have nothing whatever of which to be proud or to boast. Whatever we have has been of the Lord's providence, or favoring circumstances. R5843:3
He disapproves of pride; all who are actuated by pride may be sure that the Lord will resist them, push them from him. R2655:2
The proud – The self-sufficient, the boastful. R2700:4
Pride is selfishness gone to seed. R5185:5
The self-seeking, the proud in spirit, could not be trusted by the Lord in a high position. They might do damage to themselves and to his cause. R5414:6
Even if they become his children, they would be kept at a distance. If the proud were permitted to come nearer to the Lord it would make them more proud. R5370:4
They also resist him. R1054:1
Nothing is more dangerous to the child of God than self-conceit; it blocks the way to true progress and reformation of heart, and hinders true usefulness to others, and especially usefulness in God's service. R2060:6, 5186:1
Be especially on guard against pride and self-conceit. R3734:1
Inflated values must at some time come down to a solid basis. R1486:6
Pride is the one thing that God hates. NS745:6
Giveth – Showeth. R2450:5, 5464:4, 2700:4
Grace – Favor. R425:5, 5843:3, 5464:4, 3734:1, 2700:4, 2450:5, 1920:2
To the humble – Peter emphasizes the necessity on the part of the Lord's people that they be clothed with humility. R5843:3
Only the humble will share with the Lord in the inheritance of the Kingdom. R3734:1, 5362:6
The penitent. R5464:4
All who would abide in the Lord's love have need to be very careful along this line; to keep humble, very lowly in conduct, and particularly in mind. R2450:5
It is when we are thus humble and faithful that the Lord makes us his chosen vessels to bear his name to others. R5186:4
Daniel exemplified this quality in all his dealings with the King and with God. R2493:4
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| 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: |
Humble yourselves – As "little children." (Matt. 18:3) R4380:2
Essential to all who would be of the Lord's family. R5704:4
A primary element of the Lord's spirit; a principle of divine government. R5825:5, 5844:5
Some brethren seem not to have learned the lesson of "God first, self last." R5959:1, 5958:5
There is to be no boasting. It is the great Master Workman who is doing a work upon us. R5284:5
One of the most important qualities for any of God's people to possess. R5384:3
After the example of the Master. R5981:3, 5890:1
Only the submissive will pass the inspection. R4575:6
God will especially bless those who are more lowly, meek, teachable, more trustful in the Lord. R5185:4, 5186:1
This spirit will make us very fearful of developing any pride or bombast or desire of lording it over others. R5185:4
The sentiments of our hearts should not be that of pride, but of meekness, humility, faithfulness. R5185:5
Avoid the spirit of ambition, rivalry, and the desire to be greatest amongst the Lord's people. R5268:6
The tests of the present time are tests of faith and loyalty to God, and of entire submission to his will. Without these we would be quite unfit for the Kingdom. This test comes to the Lord and the Church only during the Gospel age. R5844:2
It is indeed no easy matter to tread the pathway of humility, to continually check the human aspirations, and to keep the sacrifice on the altar until it is fully consumed. R5186:4
It is hard for those who are rich in the wisdom or power or wealth of this world to do this. R1920:2
Peter evidently had spiritual pride in mind when he wrote to the Church regarding humility. R5955:6
Submit yourself to whatever God's providence shall bring to you in life's experiences. R5261:3, 5384:3
Look up to God and give him praise for all that we have and are. R5284:5
Cultivate this humility of mind and never allow it to be lost. R4928:2
Be not heady, high-minded and worldly-wise. R4710:5
Humility is a very prominent grace in the sight of God. It comes right in as you find your weaknesses; humble yourselves and make it right with God. CR294:5; NS465:2
Only the humble-minded are prepared to learn the great lessons that must be learned before they will be ready for exaltation that would be profitable to themselves or to others. R5847:5
If we occupy a teacher's position, it should be held very humbly and with great fearfulness and continual watching and praying lest we enter into temptation and ensnare ourselves and others in error. R4380:3
If any find himself in error, instead of attempting to justify it and prove it right, let him remember the Apostle's words to humble yourself under the hand of God. R1217:6
Those being selected for the glorious privilege of the future must fully demonstrate to the Lord humility and absolute loyalty to his will, even in their secret thoughts. R4364:1
Whoever would reign with Messiah in his approaching Kingdom must humble himself in the present time. R4669:1, 4047:6
No matter how deep the humiliation which obedience to God may bring. R3561:6
Amongst the Gentiles, the rulers are lords, who do no serving, but are served, but among the followers of Jesus the rule is to be reversed; he who would serve most was to be esteemed most highly. R3363:1
Humbling ourselves under the mighty hand of God, we shall be kept from the self-assertion which was Moses' sin and typifies a cause of rejection in some of the Lord's prominent ones of spiritual Israel. R4047:6
Those who are naturally poor in spirit, deficient in self-esteem have much advantage every way over others as respects this element of character. R3733:6
This is a life work with many. E255; NS382:6
No one can wholly follow the Lord without much of the spirit of humility, without bringing his thoughts into subjection to the Lord. R5890:1
Therefore – Because God puts a premium on humility. F90
Mighty hand of God – Mighty power. R2655:6
To do whatever service his providence has made possible for you. R2412:2
Everything is being done by the mighty power of God, by which he is causing all things to work together for good. R5185:4
The Lord's mighty hand has not yet been stretched out to take hold of mankind in general and its affairs, to bring order out of confusion; but it is stretched over his flock. R2655:3
He may exalt you – With ultimate victory and life everlasting. R5464:4
To be the Bride, the Lamb's wife; joint-heirs with Jesus Christ our Lord. R422:6, 5185:2
Even as he highly exalted our Lord. R2777:4
Our Lord humbled himself and God highly exalted him to the very position which Satan coveted. Satan became proud and vain in his imagination, thus losing his exalted position. R5843:3
To humble yourselves does not necessarily mean to think that we have no talent, no power, no ability. Such an attitude would be foolishness. R5843:4
The way of the cross, the way of humiliation and self-abasement, is the way to the crown, to that true honor that cometh from God only. R1916:4
If Jesus had not been humble, he would not have attained to the glorious station to which he was exalted. R5186:2
This great exaltation will be given all who are fully submissive to God's will, whether their powers and talents be many or few. R5844:3
These would not be injured by the exaltation nor deflect in the future work to which all of the Kingdom class are called. R5414:6
"He that humbleth himself shall be exalted." (Luke 14:11) R3363:1, 5988:1, 4928:2, 4708:4, 3079:2, 2860:4, 1766:6
"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and he shall lift you up." (James 4:10) E424
This is not the time to exalt ourselves and to show how we can shine. R5890:1
In due time – After that ye have suffered a while; after he shall have made you ready for the exaltation and for the service he wishes you to perform. R1888:5, 5261:3
During the Gospel age the Church is being gathered. R5603:3, 4047:6
At the second coming of our Lord. R5185:4
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| 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. |
Casting all your care – Anxiety, worry, trouble of mind. R5508:3
Worries and frettings; anxieties that would hinder us in the Lord's service, that would rob us of our peace in the Lord, should be dropped, not carelessly, however, but intelligently. R5509:2
The remedy for all unauthorized over-carefulness by the elected elders for the interests of Zion. R2655:6
We cannot be faithful children of God if we are full of worry. Worry is one thing, but proper carefulness is another. R5509:4
We need carry no anxious cares respecting the future. R2260:4
Addressed to the Church of Christ. R5508:3
Let us tell the Lord all about our burdens, great and small. R5509:5
Not all of the suffering and cross-bearing come from the world's opposition to the truth. R1054:4
The Scriptures plainly teach that special trials may be expected in the Church, amongst the brethren. R5118:3
Much of the suffering comes from our faithfulness in humbling and subduing the evil propensities of our fallen nature. R1054:4
We must be tested by the hatred, the malice, the evil speaking and evil surmising of those who dipped with us in the dish, of those who partook with us of divine bounty at the table of the Lord. R4208:5
There are cares that come to the Lord's people because they are harassed by the Adversary. R5509:1
A little carelessness along these lines, and the Adversary might readily entrap us and ensnare us and then lead us captive at his will. This power of intrusion will contain we believe, evil suggestions, promoting slanders and back-biting. R4311:2
All true saints of God are care-full. They have an interest in the Lord's work, they have a care in respect to it; they cannot be indifferent to the interests of Zion. R2655:4
Upon him – The Shepherd of the flock. R2655:6
He careth for you – Taking thought. R5508:3
Each day that a Christian lives he should be more reliant upon the Lord. R5509:2
"My God shall supply all your need." (Phil. 4:19) R3400:4
Illustrated by the feeding of Elijah by the ravens. God did not supply Elijah with luxuries but with the absolute necessities. R3400:4
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| 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
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Be sober – To guard against every approach to a spirit of pride and vainglory. R1972:1
What a fearful responsibility attaches to the tongue that wags in an evil, or even in a flippant way. R1938:1
Be vigilant – It is a life work, a life battle against a mighty foe intrenched in our flesh. R1859:6
Your adversary – Satan, and the fallen angels. R5546:4
Who backs all the tricks and lies and obsessions of Spiritualism. R2188:5
The devil – Greek, diabolos. Satan. The term Satan signifies adversary, opponent. R5183:3
He beguiles with flattery, pride and ambition; vanquishes with despondency; attracts with the pleasure of the present life; seduces through too great reverence of human teachings; and tempts to disloyalty to God. R4525:1
Whose very existence is now denied by many. F609
As a roaring lion – Angry. R2172:5
When the beast is about to spring upon his prey, he roars so loudly that the victim is paralyzed with fear, and thus is easily caught. R5183:6, 4988:3
Fear is one of the most disastrous things for the Lord's people to have. R4988:3
As God incites by love, so Satan incites through fear. R4988:3
Satan, the Adversary of the Church, is strong and lion-like, vigilant and fully awake. R5183:6, 2769:6
Sometimes, lion-like, when we are off guard he springs upon us unawares, stirs up the evil of the old nature, and unless desperately resisted he will take full control and drive us on to ruin. R1053:5
In the great Papal system Satan's lion-like strength has most fully appeared. R1687:4
He sometimes appears as a skulking serpent in the grass. R1053:5
Although Satan is vigilant like a roaring lion, he never attacks us with a roar, but subtly. R2770:1, 5183:6
When Satan is bound the prophet's words shall be fulfilled "no lion shall be there." (Isa. 35:9) Q825:2
Whom he may devour – Swallow up in calamity, laying snares to separate us from God. R2769:6
To overcome us, to crush out our spiritual, life, and to destroy our faith in God. R5183:6
The Adversary opposes all who walk in the footsteps of Jesus, particularly those in public places and those active in the service of the truth. R5142:2
Satan can make no direct attack upon the Lord, but he can attack his plan and those who believe in God. R5329:3
He has no power against us except as God permits it. R5546:4
Satan continues to use all whom he can in his service to oppose the saints. R726:4
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| 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. |
Whom resist – Our safety from the power of Satan and the fallen angels lies in the resistance of our wills. R2172:5
By not allowing his seductive arguments to have weight with us. R5184:3
By standing; to stand is to adhere to fixed principles; i.e., to "be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord." (1 Cor. 15:58) R1485:5, 90:1
It is a continual battle. CR455:1
"Put on the whole armor of God that ye may be able to stand." (Eph. 6:11) R1859:2
If Satan be not resisted, the danger is that the light and the blessing received through the knowledge of God will become a curse and an injury; and that the result will be worse than before coming into relationship with Christ. R5378:5
Stedfast – Immovable. R1627:3
Thus "we become strong in the Lord and in the power of his might." (Eph. 6:10) R4988:6
These words imply that in order to resist we must have faith; confidence in God. R2770:6
In the faith – "This is the victory that overcometh the world, even your faith." (1 John 5:4) R1859:5
The same afflictions – Similar. R1485:5
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| 10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. |
The God of all grace – Is not vengeful, not unkind. R4982:3
Suffered a while – And our faith has been properly tested. R4488:6
This suffering takes in all of our present life's experiences. R4750:5
Unless we are willing to endure hardness, we will not be prepared to enter the eternal glory. (2 Tim. 2:3) R5147:6
The chastisements we receive, many of which are not punishments for sins, are but preparation for the work of the next age. R5147:6
"Rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings." (1 Pet. 4:13) T50
Make you perfect – We will not be actually perfect until we attain the resurrection change. R4750:5
Stablish, strengthen – After being perfected through suffering. R4750:4
Settle you – Established in the faith and in the practice of the principles of the Gospel. R1053:2, 3215:5
A condition of uncertainty is not a condition of faith. R1218:4
It is our duty to have settled convictions of truth, convictions so rooted and grounded in God's Word that we cannot be moved therefrom. R1218:4
It is only through endurance as good soldiers of Christ that this desirable condition can be attained, viz., perfect self-control and ability to resist evil, established faith, patience and virtue, settled, abiding rest in Christ, and hope through his word of promise. R1860:4
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| 11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. |
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| 12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand. |
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| 13 The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son. |
Saluteth you – It is a pleasant observation that whenever there was opportunity the Churches in one place were prompt to send Christian greetings and benedictions to those in other places. R1895:4
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| 14 Greet ye one another with a kiss of love. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen. |
A kiss of charity – Which we instinctively recognize in spirit, but not in letter. R1550:5
There would be nothing wrong in a kiss of love, but there is no intimation that the brethren should kiss the sisters or the sisters kiss the brethren. Q619:T, 618:5
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