What is Babylon in 1 Peter 5:13?
It is probably a figurative name for Rome, the great pagan city of the time, though some think of the Babylon of Mesopotamia. Most understand it as Rome, from which Peter writes.
1 Peter · chapter 5 of 5
1 Peter 5: Summary, Key Verses and Study Questions
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What happens in 1 Peter 5?
1 Peter 5 urges elders to shepherd God's flock willingly and by example, the younger to submit and all to clothe themselves with humility. It asks believers to cast all their anxiety on God, who cares for them, and to resist the adversary who prowls like a lion. It promises that the God of all grace, after a little suffering, will restore them, and closes the letter with greetings from Silvanus, the church in Babylon and Mark.
After speaking about trial, Peter addresses his last words to the leaders and the community. He presents himself as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ's sufferings. The chapter gives instructions for leadership, humility and perseverance, and concludes the letter with the certainty of God's grace.
1 Peter 5 summary
Peter exhorts the elders, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ and a partaker in the glory that is to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion but willingly, not for shameful gain but eagerly, not domineering over those in your charge but being examples to the flock. When the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Younger people must be subject to the elders, and all must clothe themselves with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded and watchful, for your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour; resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever.
Peter writes through Silvanus, whom he regards as a faithful brother, briefly, to exhort and to testify that this is the true grace of God, in which they stand firm. She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends greetings, and so does Mark, his son. Greet one another with a kiss of love, and peace to all of you who are in Christ.
Chapter outline
- vv. 1-4: Exhortation to the elders: shepherd willingly, without gain and by example.
- v. 5: The younger submit and all clothe themselves with humility.
- vv. 6-7: Humble yourselves under God's hand and cast all your anxiety on him.
- vv. 8-9: Be sober, watchful and firm against the adversary.
- vv. 10-11: The God of all grace will restore and establish his own.
- vv. 12-14: Silvanus, greetings from Babylon and Mark, and peace.
Key verses in 1 Peter 5
References follow ESV book names and verse numbers. Read each verse in your Bible before the explanation.
1 Peter 5:2-3
Elders must shepherd God's flock willingly, without eagerness for gain and being examples, not domineering. Christian leadership is service by example.
1 Peter 5:5
All must clothe themselves with humility, because God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble. Without humility there is no healthy community.
1 Peter 5:7
Believers can cast all their anxiety on God, because he cares for them. Praying in trust is handing the burden to the one who can carry it.
1 Peter 5:10
The God of all grace, who called them to his eternal glory, will restore, confirm, strengthen and establish them after a little suffering. The trial is temporary and his grace is firm.
Main themes
- Pastoral leadership
- Humility
- Trusting God amid anxiety
- Resisting the adversary
- God's restoration
People and places
- Peter, elder and apostle
- The elders
- The younger people
- The devil, the adversary
- Silvanus
- Mark
1 Peter 5 study questions and answers
6 questions with answers and references, ready for Sunday school, small group or a Bible quiz night.
1. How does Peter present himself when exhorting the elders?
Answer: As a fellow elder and a witness of Christ's sufferings. — 1 Peter 5:1
2. How should the elders shepherd?
Answer: Willingly, eagerly and as examples, not under compulsion or for gain. — 1 Peter 5:2-3
3. What will the shepherds receive when the chief Shepherd appears?
Answer: The unfading crown of glory. — 1 Peter 5:4
4. What should believers cast on God?
Answer: All their anxieties, because he cares for them. — 1 Peter 5:7
5. To what does Peter compare the devil?
Answer: A roaring lion seeking someone to devour. — 1 Peter 5:8
6. Who sends greetings from Babylon along with the church?
Answer: Mark, whom Peter calls his son. — 1 Peter 5:13
Application for today
1 Peter 5 speaks to leaders and members. Leaders can review whether they serve willingly, without seeking profit and by example; the rest, whether they support their pastors with humility. A small group can pray for its leaders and thank them for what they do.
Verses 6 and 7 are for anyone living with anxiety. You can write down what worries you and hand it to God in prayer, remembering that he cares for you. Resisting the enemy firmly is compatible with resting in that trust.
1 Peter 5 closes the letter with the promise that the God of all grace will restore his own. Peter leaves a clear message for the suffering exiles: they stand firm in the true grace of God, and their hope sustains them until Christ is revealed.
Frequently asked questions about 1 Peter 5
Who was Silvanus?
He is the Silas of Acts, Paul's companion, who here appears as Peter's helper. Peter calls him a faithful brother and mentions him as the one who helped write or deliver the letter.
How do we resist the devil?
With sobriety, watchfulness and firmness in faith, knowing that other believers suffer the same. It is not a matter of our own strength but of trust in God, who restores the one who suffers.