Abundant Joy

“In the same way, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. All of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because

God resists the proud
but gives grace to the humble.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time,casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you.”

We are a people who value our independence. It is a matter of pride to not depend on anyone or submit to anyone. Yet here in this letter, Peter has told us that we must give this up. He uses a word that most of us do not like to hear. In chapter 2, he addresses all his readers by telling them that they are to submit to every human authority because of the Lord (v. 13). He then addresses household slaves telling them to submit to their masters. We can see how this transfers today to submitting to our bosses. Christ is our example in this (vs. 18-21). Next, he addresses wives in chapter three. He tells them that by submitting to their husbands, they may win them over by the way they live (vs. 1-3).

Now he moves on to younger people. They are to be subject to the elders in the church. We know because of the previous verses that Peter is referring to the office of elder. It is unclear if the phrase “you who are younger” refers to young people in general or an office that is lower in rank than the elder. It could be either one. I am sure that there have always been issues with younger people not showing the proper respect for their elders!

Peter says, “In the same way…” What is that? We need to look at verses 1-4 to see. We see that the attitude of the pastor/elder is to be one of willingness and eagerness. They are to be an example to the flock. In the same way, the younger people are to be subject to the elders. They are to do it willingly and eagerly, and in this way, they too will be an example.

Peter now moves back to addressing everyone. “All of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Let’s start with the phrase “clothe yourselves…” When I read this, I thought of Paul in his letter to Ephesus. In Ephesians 4:20-24, he describes taking off the former way of life and putting on the new, much like a set of clothes. And in Colossians, he writes again of putting on the new self (3:10). In the commentaries I read, the verb ‘clothe’ suggests the tying on of a servant’s apron. It is like the towel that Jesus tied around his waist when he washed the feet of his disciples. Over and over again in his letter, Peter points us to the example of Christ.

Peter was well versed in the Old Testament Scriptures, and he quotes Proverbs 3:34 here. “He mocks those who mock but gives grace to the humble.” I have said it before, but it bears repeating. Pride is the root of all sin. Humility is the opposite of pride. It is no surprise then that God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. Jesus told a parable about a wedding banquet and choosing seats. He finished by saying this. “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:11). He also told the parable about the pharisee and the tax collector. The tax collector stood in the temple and prayed. He thanked God that he was not like other people (especially the tax collector). He bragged about how good he was. Meanwhile, the tax collector beat his chest and asked God to have mercy on him, a sinner. Jesus said, “I tell you, this one went down to his house justified rather than the other, because everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 18:14). Edmund Clowney writes this. “The Christian knows that he did not make himself or save himself. His humility springs from his total dependence on the grace of God. Added to that is the calling and example of a Saviour, who had everything to boast of but ‘humbled himself and became obedient to death- even death on a cross.’”

Peter goes on. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God.” Arichea and Nida, in their commentary on 1st Peter write, ‘Under God’s mighty hand is a common Old Testament expression, primarily referring to the mighty act of God in delivering the Israelites from Egypt (Deut. 3:24; 4:34; Exo. 3:19; Dan. 9:15).” In Psalm 89:13 we read, “You have a mighty arm; your hand is powerful; your right hand is lifted high.” God is all-powerful, but he is also all-loving. We go on to read “…so that he may exalt you at the proper time.” For the readers of Peter’s letters, who were going through persecution, that time was not most likely on this earth. Peter had already written about the imperishable, undefiled, unfading inheritance being kept in heaven for them (and us!) (1:4), he also told the elders that there was an unfading crown of glory waiting for them (5:4). Even if God is to exalt us to a leadership position here in this life, it is important to remember to be humble. We need to put other people’s needs before our own.

Lastly, he writes, “…casting all your cares on him, because he cares for you.” Peter is again quoting from Old Testament scripture, this time a Psalm. This is from Psalm 55:22. “Cast your burden on the Lord,
and he will sustain you; he will never allow the righteous to be shaken.” David Guzik writes this in his Enduring Word commentary. “True humility is shown by our ability to cast our care upon God. It is proud assumption to take things into our own worry and care about things that God has promised to take care of (Matthew 6:31-34).” When we look at those verses, we see that Jesus says that we are not to worry about what we are to eat, drink, or wear. Jesus says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:33-34).

One of the definitions for worry is to touch or disturb something repeatedly. Another is to subject to persistent or nagging attention or effort. An old-fashioned use of the word might be that you could worry a hole in a sweater by rubbing it repeatedly. In these verses in Matthew, Jesus tells us that we are not to worry about tomorrow. Worrying doesn’t do anything but cause us distress! And here, Peter is reminding us to cast our cares upon him, because he cares for us.

David Guzick also writes this. “Casting is a rather energetic word. He didn’t say ‘Lay all your care upon Him’ because we have to do it more energetically than that. The idea is, ‘throw it away from you.’ The pressures and the burdens of your life are so heavy and difficult that it takes great concentration of effort to put them on Jesus.”

Just like Peter’s readers, we live in difficult times. Things are going from bad to worse. But we need to remember that this is not our final home. We are citizens of heaven (Philippians 1:27) where our inheritance, imperishable, undefiled, and unfading is being kept for us. Let us cast our cares on God because he cares for us!

Grace be with you!