1 Peter 5

King James Version (1769) · Tap a verse to see it in context

About this chapter

AI-assisted, sourced

Peter, "also an elder," urges the elders to "Feed the flock of God" willingly, not "as being lords over God's heritage," and promises "a crown of glory" when "the chief Shepherd shall appear." All are to be "clothed with humility," "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you," and to resist the devil, who walks about "as a roaring lion." The God of all grace will "make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you," and the letter closes with greetings from "the church that is at Babylon" and Marcus. 1 Peter 5:1 1 Peter 5:2 1 Peter 5:3 1 Peter 5:4 1 Peter 5:5 1 Peter 5:7 1 Peter 5:8 1 Peter 5:10 1 Peter 5:13

Who, where, when, and the key verses

Who

Peter, "who am also an elder"; the elders and the younger; Silvanus, by whom he wrote; and "Marcus my son." 1 Peter 5:1 1 Peter 5:5 1 Peter 5:12 1 Peter 5:13 1 Peter overview

Where

Greetings come from "the church that is at Babylon." Many take Babylon here as a name for Rome; others take it as the city in Mesopotamia. 1 Peter 5:13 1 Peter overview Babylon 2

When

Traditionally about AD 62-64, shortly before Peter's death in Rome under Nero. Many scholars think it was written in Peter's name, about AD 70-95; others accept that Peter wrote it. 1 Peter overview

How it fits

Chapter 4 ended with those who suffer committing their souls "unto a faithful Creator"; near the end of this last chapter the God of all grace will "stablish, strengthen, settle you," before the closing greetings. 1 Peter 4:19 1 Peter 5:10 1 Peter 5:12 1 Peter 5:14

Key verses

Verse 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." 1 Peter 5:2 1 Peter 5:3
Verse 7
"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." Psalm 55:22 says, "Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee." 1 Peter 5:6 1 Peter 5:7 Psalms 55:22
Verse 8
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith." 1 Peter 5:8 1 Peter 5:9

Takeaway

Lead and serve humbly, give your worries to God because he cares for you, and stand firm against the devil; God will strengthen and settle you. 1 Peter 5:2 1 Peter 5:5 1 Peter 5:7 1 Peter 5:9 1 Peter 5:10

Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a separate AI reader. Updated 2026-10-30.

To the elders

¹The 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: ²Feed 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; ³Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. ⁴And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

Humility and the adversary

⁵Likewise, 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. ⁶Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: ⁷Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. ⁸Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: ⁹Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. ¹⁰But 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. ¹¹To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Greetings

¹²By 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. ¹³The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son. ¹⁴Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.