Catholic Commentary on 1 Peter 5

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7)

Instructions to Elders and the Young

Peter appeals to the elders as a fellow elder and witness of Christ's sufferings: be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, watching over them not because you must but because you are willing, not pursuing dishonest gain but eagerly, not lording it over those entrusted to you but being examples to the flock. When the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. In the same way, you who are younger submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God opposes the proud but shows favour to the humble.

Resist the Devil, Cast Your Anxiety

Humble yourselves therefore under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and sober. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever.

The Catechism draws from this passage the theology of spiritual warfare: the Christian life is not a peaceful stroll but a battle, fought with the weapons of humility, sobriety, and vigilant faith, against an enemy who is real and active (CCC 409).

Living the Word

Brothers and sisters, cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Not some of your anxiety. Not the manageable anxiety. All of it. The anxiety about your health, your children, your finances, your relationships, your future. All of it. The instruction is not to suppress anxiety or deny it but to transfer it. Give it to the one who cares for you. He can carry what you cannot. Let it go.

Prayer

Lord God of all grace, who called us to your eternal glory in Christ: after we have suffered a little while, restore us, make us strong, firm, and steadfast. We cast all our anxiety on you because you care for us. To you be the power forever and ever. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

5
Instructions to Elders
(1 Timothy 3:1–7; Titus 1:5–9)
1 As a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings, and a partaker of the glory to be revealed, I appeal to the elders * 5:1 SBL, NE, and WH I appeal therefore to the elders among you: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them † 5:2 NE and WH do not include watching over them. not out of compulsion, but because it is God’s will;‡ 5:2 WH, BYZ, and TR but willingly not out of greed, but out of eagerness; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
Cast Your Cares on Him
 
5 Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
 
“God opposes the proud,
but gives grace to the humble.Ӥ 5:5 Proverbs 3:34 (see also LXX)
 
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you. 7 Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
 
8 Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.
Benediction and Farewell
 
10 And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ,* 5:10 BYZ and TR in Christ Jesus will Himself restore you, secure you, strengthen you, and establish you. 11 To Him be the power forever and ever. Amen.
 
12 Through Silvanus,† 5:12 That is, Silas whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.
 
13 The church in Babylon,‡ 5:13 Literally She in Babylon chosen together with you, sends you greetings, as does my son Mark.
 
14 Greet one another with a kiss of love.
 
Peace to all of you who are in Christ.§ 5:14 BYZ and TR include Amen.

*5:1 5:1 SBL, NE, and WH I appeal therefore to the elders

†5:2 5:2 NE and WH do not include watching over them.

‡5:2 5:2 WH, BYZ, and TR but willingly

§5:5 5:5 Proverbs 3:34 (see also LXX)

*5:10 5:10 BYZ and TR in Christ Jesus

†5:12 5:12 That is, Silas

‡5:13 5:13 Literally She in Babylon

§5:14 5:14 BYZ and TR include Amen.

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