First Epistle of Peter
SUBJECTION AND HUMILITY
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 5:5 (KJV)
"ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder"
The apostle now turns from elders to the younger men. This would confirm that there is nothing official here about the elders and their work. It was just that the elder men in the congregations were expected to do the shepherd's work.
No doubt, these younger men here exhorted were some who sought in some capacity to serve the Lord. There is plenty of work for a young man to do. He can teach in Bible School, do personal work, visit the sick, help the aged, etc. Perhaps at times he can preach the Word when the saints gather to worship. A young man should be slow in exhorting and admonishing the Lord's people. The elders are usually better suited for this, although Paul does tell young Timothy "to give attendance to exhortation" (1 Tim. 4:13). Titus is generally thought to have been a young man. Paul says to him, "These things speak and exhort, and rebuke with all authority" (Titus 2:15).
Young men are apt to think more highly of their capabilities than they should. Sometimes they think they know more along certain lines than some who have gone on with the Lord for many years. Elders are not always wise and do not always know; but more than likely their judgment is better than that of a young Christian. It is usually wise for the young to submit to elders, even if they think they are wrong. Later years may prove them right after all.
"yea, all of you be subject one to another"
How wonderful it would be if this was always done. If so, there would be less trouble among Christians. Someone jokingly said, "If you always did what I wanted you to do and I always did what you wanted me to do, we would never quarrel". We should at least respect one another's judgment and if at all possible seek to follow it. If a number of the Lord's people pass judgment on a certain matter, unless they can be proven to be positively unscriptural, we should always submit to them. Sometimes, one man can obstruct progress in the work of the Lord.
One brother obstinately raised objection to something that all the other Christians in the congregation thought would be helpful and scriptural. This obdurate one said, "I do not believe in majority rule, it is not of the Lord". One brother replied, "There is one thing worse than majority rule and that is minority rule". How much better it would have been for this objector to have said, "Well, brethren, I cannot see your point, but all of you think it is the right thing to do, so let's go ahead, I submit".
"and be clothed with humility"
The word "clothed" is an out-of-the-ordinary word; a long one in the Greek. It could be translated "engirdle yourselves with humility". And this engirdling speaks of the slave wrapping himself with his slave girdle or apron. So the sense would be to girdle ourselves with humility with a view toward serving one another, as slaves would serve their masters.
Perhaps Peter was thinking of the time when the Lord Jesus girded Himself with a towel and as a slave washed the disciple’s feet. Perhaps he had not forgotten what the Lord Jesus said, "For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you" (John 13:15). As He that day took the place of a slave, so we, too, should be lowly enough to do a slave's work for the people of God.
One who is "clothed in humility" is, as it were, "wrapped up in lowliness of mind". To be humble is contrary to the flesh. Our old self always desires the first place, the highest honor, the greatest wealth. Even saved people are not immune to these desires of the flesh. Before Pentecost, even Peter was not so humble. He was impetuous, forward, and critical at times. He even took it upon himself to rebuke the Lord on one occasion (Matt. 16:22). Then in his pride and conceit he said he would never forsake the Lord even if all the rest did. Peter would save his readers from this pitfall.
Our Lord Jesus Christ is the great example of "humility". Did He not demonstrate great humility when He laid aside His glory, and took upon Him the form of man? Was it not great humility just to dwell for over 33 years in this world that was so defiled by sin? To Him, in His spotless purity, it must have felt like it would to us to have to live in a pig pen with the pigs. "And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" (Phil. 2:8). This was the apex of humility. He, who was the essence of life, and the imparter of it, entered into death, yea, the shameful death of the cross. The more we contemplate His great humility, and seek to hide ourselves in Him, the more humble we will become. When we realize the low place into which He descended, it makes it easy for us to take the low place, too.
Humility is inseparably entwined with all the other virtues. A man who has low thoughts of himself will have high thoughts of the Lord, and also of his fellow Christians. For this reason, it is inseparably linked with love. Accompanying it also will be kindness, justice, longsuffering, etc.
A truly humble man is teachable. He realizes that he knows only a little. Some are so smart no one can tell them a thing. It is usually these same ones who are forever trying to pass out advise. Remember, the Lord can reveal things through His Word to the lowest Christian, so be a good listener.
A humble man is also willing to accept God's gifts. He first is willing to confess his need, and to accept God's salvation. Then he is ready to accept any other benefits the Lord passes out to His children.
A humble man is also willing to do what the Lord wants him to do. Be the task ever so menial and ever so unimportant, if it is God's will, he is willing. Some are wondering why the Lord does not permit them to do some big thing for Him. Perhaps if they would first be willing to do some small things, the Lord would advance them later to doing bigger things.
A truly humble man is not easily offended. Men may do much evil to him, but he will realize that he is nobody much and that he cannot expect to always be well-treated. One who is upset by every little slight has a lot of pride still within him.
Neither will he be envious. He will be contented with his possessions, his position, and his capabilities. He will not desire another's goods, or place, or gifts. If his friends surpass him it will not upset him. If his neighbor has greater success it will make him joyful and will not bother him. It will not worry him if another's preaching or teaching is favored above his own or if his fellow evangelist sees more souls saved. A humble man just does not feel self-important and so he thanks God for another man's success.
"for God resisteth the proud"
This last section of our verse is a quotation from Proverbs 3:34. It is also quoted in James 4:6. The word "resisteth" could be translated "arrays against"; it is a battle term. Pride is something the Lord hates and He sets Himself in array to battle against the proud. In Proverbs 6:16-19 we have listed seven things the Lord hates. The first one mentioned is "a proud look".
Pride keeps many from getting saved. They are not ready to confess their utter worthlessness, and they will not feel their need of Christ until they see themselves in this light. People are proud over many things. There is pride of birth. They had nothing to say about their parentage, but still they are proud about it. They are so much better than those of some other nationality or race. Then there is pride of wealth, pride of power, pride of talent, or pride of character. Any of these things may hinder one's trusting and obeying Christ.
Pride is such a subtle thing; it can even get back into one after salvation. At the time one is born again, he may be as meek and lowly as can be. His nose may be very close to the ground, but it has a way of coming up. He may become proud for altogether different reasons now. Some become proud of their religious position. Their knowledge and understanding of all things in God's Word is the only right one and all dissenters are to be forgiven. Or, one may become proud of his capabilities as a teacher or speaker or of his great work for the Lord; perhaps he may be an elder or leader. It is even possible to become proud of one's humility.
Without doubt, many of the troubles among God's people come from pride. Many will not take the low place, they will not confess they are wrong, they insist on standing up for their rights, and so the trouble starts. It is well to remember that God is arrayed against the proud. With some
Christians all goes wrong. It may be that they are fighting a losing battle against their God who hates their pride.
"and giveth grace to the humble"
One has said, "Humility is the vessel of all graces". If we are humble all good things will come to us. It will bringfavor with God and man. Christians love a lowly saint andeven worldlings will appreciate him. God first givessalvation to such and then showers him with other good gifts.
A lowly man is seldom in trouble. He is always favoring others, and the Lord seeks means whereby to bless him.
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 5:6 (KJV)
This is a continuation of the subject of our last verse. Let us remember that the way down is the way up. The proud may advance in earthly things, but God will see to it he does not in heavenly things.
"Humble yourselves"
The expression "humble yourselves" should be translated "be humbled". A Christian should "be humbled under the mighty hand of God". The Scriptures everywhere testify that the Lord hates pride – He will take a Christian into His hand and do things to take it out of him. The Christians Peter is writing to were suffering persecution of a violent type. This, of course, was permitted by the Lord so that they might be humbled before Him. The hand of God seems heavy on some Christians, yet even with all that many are still proud.
Every Christian should be humble. If we all meditated more on the greatness of God, His power, His majesty, and His holiness, we would tend to be lowly. Then, if we would think more on our own littleness, sinfulness, etc., this too, should make us lowly. Let us remember that without
Christ and His work we would have nothing, be nothing and be bound for Hell. If we have any reason to be proud, it is not in ourselves but in our Lord Jesus Christ.
In Proverbs 15:33 we read, "before honour is humility". This is true among Christians. Those who are always trying to push themselves ahead, the saints will not relish. Those who are willing to take a low place, they will push ahead, and the Lord is in accord with this. Adam and Eve had a desire to be exalted. Satan said, "Ye shall be as gods". They were put down. Christ humbled Himself, and God highly exalted Him (Phil. 2:5-11).
The devil sought also to exalt himself. He said in his heart (Is. 14:13), "I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God". Then in verse 14, "I will be like the most High". But in verse 15 we read his doom, "Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit".
"under the mighty hand of God"
Let us think a bit of that mighty hand. It speaks of His power. It was that hand that put the stars in their places and started the sun on its mighty course. It brought the children of Israel through the Red Sea and the waste and howling wilderness. It was that hand that took Daniel out of the den of lions and Peter out of prison. It was that hand that brought Lazarus out of the grave and that hand that stretched out over the sea and said, "Peace, be still". It is that mighty hand that can cast down the proud and exalt the humble. It behooves us to humble ourselves under that mighty hand, because if He casts down, who can lift us up.
"that He may exalt you in due time"
Isaiah 57:15 is a lovely verse. "For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." This high and lofty One condescends to indwell the contrite and humble human.
If we humble ourselves, He will put us up. We read in Psalm 75:7, "But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another." His mighty hand is able to exalt us even if every force on earth and in hell is against it. It He does not exalt us here, we can be sure He will hereafter. Only let us be sure we are humble.
