1Peter 5:5-7 Likewise, you younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he cares for you.
‘Submit yourselves unto the elder …’ eight commands were given to Christians in verses 5-9: Let the younger submit to the elder (5:5); all submit to one another (5:5); be clothed with humility (5:5); humble yourselves to God (5:6); cast all your care upon God (5:7); be sober (5:8); be vigilant (5:8); resist satan in the faith (5:9).
‘Humility’ [Greek: tapeinophrosune] translated “humility” (5:5; Col. 2:18, 23); “humility of mind” (Acts 20:19); “humbleness of mind” (Col. 3:12); “lowliness” (Eph. 4:2); and “lowliness of mind” (Php. 2:3). Humility is the secret to the following things: The glory of the creature (Luke 17:10; Rev. 4:11); redemption (Php. 2:5-8); riches and honour (Pro. 15:33; 22:4; Matt. 5:3); fellowship (Isa. 57:15; 66:2); soul rest (Matt. 11:29); personal salvation (Matt. 18:3; Luke 18:1-43); greatness (Matt. 20:26-27; Luke 22:26); exaltation (Matt. 23:12; Luke 14:11); revelation (Matt. 11:25; Luke 10:21); unity (5:5; Eph. 4:1-3; 5:21); victorious Christian living (Rom. 12:10, 16; 1Cor. 13:1-13; Gal. 5:26; Php. 2:1-4; Col. 3:5-14; 1Jn. 4:20; 1Tim. 1:15; Tit. 2:11-14); faith (Mat. 8:8; 15:28; John 4:50).
‘For God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble’ quoted from Proverbs 3:34 and repeated in James 4:6.
‘Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God’ mourners and penitents used to lie on the ground and roll themselves in the dust (Jas. 4:10). When forgiven, penitents arose from the earth and clothed themselves in clean and better garments. People are privileged to humble themselves and seek mercy or exalt themselves and refuse mercy. Mercy is the result of the right attitude, and hardening is the result of stubbornness or the wrong attitude toward God (Rom. 9:18). Humble and godly people go through life with as little show and parade as possible (Rom. 12:16).
Living the Word 