Biblical Eldership Church Leadership

Peter’s Instruction to the Asian Elders

You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble (1 Peter 5:1-5). First Peter 5 singles out the elders from the rest of the congregation for direct exhortation and encouragement. The other major example of direct exhortation to elders in the New Testament is found in Paul’s farewell speech to the Ephesian elders (Acts 20217-38), which is strik ingly similar to 1 Peter 5. In fact, we could consider 1 Peter 5 to be Peter’s farewell message to the elders of Asia Minor because many scholars believe that a year or two after he wrote 1 and 2 Peter, Peter was martyred in Rome during Nero’s persecution against the Roman Christians (ca. AD. 65). There is a deep sense of personal concern and urgency in Peter’s exhortation. The word, “therefore,” links the exhortation to the elders (1 Peter 5:1-4) with the preceding instructions to the entire church (1 Peter 4212-19). These instructions relate to the inevitability of fiery trials, persecution, suffering, and the ominous warning of purifying judgment that begins with God’s house: “but if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not feel ashamed, but in that name let him glorify God. For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” (1 Peter 4216,17). Peter’s point is that if purifying judgment is to begin with the house of God, then, as the prophet Ezekiel illustrates, it must start with the elders (Ezek. 921-6). Furthermore, when churches experience perse cution and suffering, it falls primarily on the church leaders to provide help, comfort, strength, and guidance. So the spiritual well-being of the house of God depends significantly on the elders; they must do their shepherding duty and do it with the proper Christian spirit. Peter’s fervent desire to communicate his heartfelt burden to the Asian elders is evidenced by his lengthy, threefold self-description as “your fellow elder,” a “witness of Christ’s sufferings,” and “a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed” (1 Peter 5:1). This is the first time since the Opening verse that Peter personally identifies himself in the letter. Since no other group of people addressed in the letter re ceives such a persuasive, personal appeal, both shepherds and flock should pay close attention to these instructions.

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