Peter addresses the elders who are leading the church. He first reminds them that he is a fellow elder, an apostle who witnessed the sufferings of Christ and one who would also share in the glory that Christ will share with those who share His suffering (1 Pet 4:13). Peter reminds the elders that they are shepherding the flock of God—it is God’s church. Elders should lead the church with the right motives. They should be willing to lead rather than forced into the job. They should not be selfishly motivated by money. And they should not domineer and control those they lead but be an example to them. When Christ returns, elders who have led well will be rewarded with a crown (a wreath) of glory. They will receive honour from Jesus for a job well done.

Peter also addresses the rest of the congregation. Those who are being led should be faithful followers. Everyone should be characterised by humility. Humility is the key to an elder ensuring that he leads with the right motives. Humility is the key to willingly following the leadership of the elders. In all of this, Peter reminds us that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Instead of looking to exalt ourselves, we should humble ourselves. The Christian should humbly seek to serve God by serving others and allow God to exalt us in His time. Not everyone will be exalted in this life but Peter has already spoken a lot about the rewards that await us in heaven for faithful living on earth. A large part of living humbly is to cast all your cares onto God. Worry and anxiety arise from wanting to control a situation which is a symptom of pride. Humility recognises that we have no control of any situation but that God cares for us. So completely let your worries go and hand them over to God. Casting your worries onto God doesn’t mean we should be careless. We must be alert because Satan is constantly looking for ways to trip us up. We can resist his temptation by being firm in our faith and recognising that we are not alone in our suffering. Peter closes with the reminder that our suffering will only last a little while and that God is the God of all grace who has called us to His eternal glory in Christ and He will bring us through to maturity. Peter’s prayer is not that we be removed from our trials but that we endure them to fuller faith.

When you face trials, are you more inclined to pray that God removes them from you, or do you pray that God would receive glory through them? Peter’s letter is a reminder that suffering is a natural part of the Christian life. In faith, we should endure our suffering while striving to live for Christ with the sure hope that He will reward us for our faithfulness when He appears in glory. Our lives should echo Peter’s doxology of praise: all glory and dominion belong to our God forever and ever. Amen.

Peter’s closing greetings refer to Sylvanus, who was also known as Silas, who probably wrote down the letter as Peter dictated. Babylon probably refers to Rome. Babylon was used as a code name because of the city’s wickedness. Mark is most likely John Mark who deserted Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:13) but who was later found trustworthy (2 Tim 4:11). He was Peter’s spiritual son who went on to write the Gospel of Mark based on Peter’s personal testimony of Jesus’ ministry. To greet one another with the kiss of love was to greet each other with culturally appropriate affection. Today that might be a hug or a handshake (or a physically distanced COVID wave).
Peter closed in the same way he opened, praying for peace (in the middle of trials and persecution) to all who are in Christ.