1 Peter 5:5
5 Likewise [homoios], ye younger [neos], submit yourselves [hupotasso] unto the elder [presbuteros].
Yea [de], all [pas] of you be subject [hupotasso] one to another [allelon], and be clothed
[egkomboomai] with humility [tapeinophrosune]: for [hoti] God [theos] resisteth [antitassomai]
the proud [huperephanos], and [de] giveth [didomi] grace [charis] to the humble [tapeinos]. KJV-Interlinear
5 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. NASB
The proud and the humble
are terms referring to the relative spiritual growth of immature believers as
opposed to mature believers.
Likewise, the terms
elders and younger also refer to those who are more advanced in wisdom as
opposed to those who have relatively little spiritual growth under their belt.
The key to this whole
verse is Gods policy toward believers in general, toward spiritually deficient
believers specifically, and also toward mature believers.
Physical age has no
bearing on Gods policy.Bible doctrine
is the key as to what kind of relationship you will or will not have with God.
Therefore, if you are a
relatively young believer, or better stated, if your spiritual life is
relatively new or young, and it will be if you have just believed in Christ
(whether you are nine or ninety is irrelevant), then prepare to subordinate
yourself in respect, in humility, and so forth, toward those who have greater
wisdom than you.
If in doubt, being quiet
and polite is the better attitude to adopt.
Time and doctrine will educate you as to whether your elders, are indeed
wise in doctrine, or just older folks who can fool you.
You learn doctrine by clothing
yourself in humility.Humility is a
reference to your spiritual life. Therefore, put on the clothing of wisdom, and
not arrogance. You put on these clothes by means of your spiritual growth. In other words, grow up.
Park your attitude and
former beliefs at the door, and not only that, leave them outside of your life
permanently.Listen and do not voice
your opinions.No one wants to hear from
an immature person anyway.The unwise cannot
have anything to say, to the wise. The unwise has nothing to teach the wise.
All students of the Word
of God, come before God without portfolio.
This verse is a general
command to help you put your beliefs in perspective, to help you listen rather
than speaking, to help you learn and grow up.
And when you grow up
spiritually and become wise, then you will realize that you will not need to
voice your opinions.That God voices His
Word quite well, without your help.And
you will just smile to yourself when other younger believers try to impose
their opinions, which you can simply ignore, and know that you too once had
those same dumb ideas. Oh, well.We ve
all been there, done that.
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