By Roy E. Ciampa, Ph.D., S. Louis and Ann W. Armstrong
Professor of Religion, Samford University
The Culmination of Our Hope
1 Peter 5:5b–11
When we humble ourselves, God exalts us. (5b–7)
Peter uses the metaphor of getting dressed to describe the need to act humbly. We are to put on humility as though it were clothing we put on at the beginning of each day. It is not just some who should demonstrate humility — all are to be humble to each other.
All of verses 5b–7 may be understood as an application of Proverbs 3:34, quoted at the end of verse 5. We are in constant need of God’s grace, and since God gives grace to the humble, we are wise to be humble toward God and others.
Although the proverb doesn’t refer explicitly to Christ, Peter undoubtedly has Christ’s own experience in mind as an example of one who demonstrated perfect humility and who, after suffering crucifixion at the hands of the proud, was exalted by God in His resurrection and ascension to God’s right hand.
In light of our knowledge of God and His commitment to those who humble themselves before Him and others (that is, knowing He cares for us), those who submit ourselves in humility before Him are free to cast all our cares and anxieties on Him.
When we resist Satan, we can remain firm in the midst of suffering. (8–9)
The main theme of verses 5b–7 is reiterated in verses 8–11, namely that faithfulness in the midst of suffering will ultimately be followed, as was the case of Christ our Lord, by restoration, exaltation and glory.
Many Christians around the globe are experiencing persecution merely for choosing to follow Christ.
We are accustomed to a much lesser form of suffering, namely that of being shamed and marginalized by a secular society. Peter reminds us that our adversary, the devil, is always looking for opportunities to destroy us. That destruction can come in the form of physical persecution or suffering or in other kinds of attacks.
But Satan’s goal is not merely to cause us to suffer but instead to turn us away from our Lord. That is why Peter’s greatest concern is not that we avoid suffering but that we “resist him” and remain “firm in (our) faith,” defeating our enemy’s purpose.
Our resolve to persevere in the midst of suffering is strengthened when we remember that we are not alone: our brothers and sisters around the globe also are suffering, usually bearing the brunt of more severe persecution.
When we have suffered a little while, God will restore us to His eternal glory. (10–11)
Peter reminds us that for a follower of Christ, suffering is always temporary (just as it was for our Lord). In fact, although Christ’s experience isn’t explicitly mentioned in verses 10–11, the pattern described clearly reflects both Prov. 3:34 (quoted in v. 5) and Christ’s experience (compare Heb. 2:9–10): temporary suffering is followed by “eternal glory.” The temporary suffering may well continue throughout one’s earthly life (or it may be more brief), but it will be followed by eternal glory.
Peter piles up verbs to describe God’s help in our suffering: He will “restore, confirm, strengthen and establish” us. That is, He will strengthen and establish us even in the midst of great suffering so that by His grace we can endure to the end and not give our spiritual enemy the victory he desires (see Peter’s own experience in Luke 22:31–32).
Peter’s thought climaxes with the doxology in verse 11: “to God be the dominion, forever and ever.” Believers may suffer in the dominions of this world, but God’s reign will prevail. Those who suffer in faithfulness to Christ will possess glory rather than shame at the end of their story.
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