1 Peter 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the elect ones [chosen by the sovereign pleasure of God], to the exiles [temporary sojourners on earth] during the time of the dispersion [Jewish Christians exiled between 65-70 A.D.] located in [the five Roman provinces of] Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia,

1 Peter 1:2 According to the foreordaining love [predetermined purpose] of God the Father, by means of the sanctification [set apart for a divine purpose] of the Spirit, because of the obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ [representative analogy for the spiritual death of Christ on the cross with typological reference to the Levitical offerings]. May grace and prosperity be multiplied to you.

1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who according to His abundant mercy, has regenerated us [born again] so that we may live a life characterized by confident expectation [supergrace status] on the basis of the resurrection of Jesus Christ out from among the dead,

1 Peter 1:4 Looking forward to an inheritance [in eternity], incorruptible [death does not alter it], undefiled [not mixed with garbage from the old sin nature], and irrevocable [belongs to us forever once we fulfill the conditions of the escrow agreement], which is on deposit in the heavens for you [waiting to be conveyed to you or to remain on deposit forever as a memorial to lost opportunity for not living the Christian life],

1 Peter 1:5 Who [as believers] are constantly being guarded in a temporary garrison on earth by the sovereign power of God [eternal security] characterized by [God’s] faithfulness, for that part of salvation [glorification salvation] which is ready and waiting to be revealed in the last time [the glorification of our bodies and the reigning of the metachoi, not salvation from hell],

1 Peter 1:6 In which [life we are to live characterized by confident expectation] you yourselves are to continue celebrating [during suffering], although it is necessary [for either blessing or discipline] at this current time [on earth] that you receive great pressure in the midst of many categories of adversities [tests].

1 Peter 1:7 These [momentum tests] have come so that your faith [application of Bible doctrine] may be proved genuine, of greater value than gold which always perishes, even though it is repeatedly tried [tested] by fire, resulting in the possibility of being found with approval, reflected glory, and rewards at the revealing [during the rapture of the Church] of Jesus Christ [when our evaluation for rewards begins].

1 Peter 1:8 Although you have not seen Him [empiricism fails to bring us to God], you continue to love Him [due to doctrine resident in your soul]; though you do not see Him now, you should continue to believe in Him [by your use of spiritual assets] and you should be continually filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy [occupation with Christ: inner happiness established in spiritual maturity].

1 Peter 1:9 Receiving back with interest the ultimate goal of doctrine [resident in your soul]: the deliverance [preservation from enemies inside and out] of your souls [rewards in time and at the Judgment Seat of Christ as interest income],

1 Peter 1:10 Concerning which salvation [positional], the prophets diligently investigated [daily biblical research] and explored carefully [line upon line], who then prophesied concerning this grace provided for you,

1 Peter 1:11 Investigating with reference to which category or character of dispensation the Spirit of Christ was revealing to them, when He Himself testified beforehand concerning the sufferings of Christ [on the cross] and the glories that accompany them [at the 2nd advent],

1 Peter 1:12 To whom it [the OT canon] was revealed - not only to themselves but also to us – with the result that they kept on ministering these things [doctrines] which are now reported back to us through those [John, Titus, Timothy, etc.] who have preached to us by means of the Holy Spirit sent down from the heavens, which things [doctrines] the angels have an insatiable desire to bend down and concentrate on [the absolute integrity of God in Bible doctrine fascinates the angels].

1 Peter 1:13 Therefore, having girded up the loins of your thoughts [prepared for immediate action], be calm [relaxed mental attitude]; place your confidence completely upon the grace which is being supplied to you because of the revelation of Jesus Christ,

1 Peter 1:14 As students of obedience [authority orientation], not forming yourselves into a mold in ignorance [absence of the mortification of sin] according to the pattern of your lusts [functioning in the cosmic system].

1 Peter 1:15 But rather become [by vivification] holy ones yourselves [reflecting the glory of God by your completed edification complex of the soul] in all categories of behavior [function inside the divine system] according to the standard of the Holy One [God the Father] who has called you,

1 Peter 1:16 Because it has been written [in Leviticus 11:44]: You yourselves be holy ones [complete your edification complex of the soul], because I myself am holy [conforming to the image of His Son is the thrust behind the historical extension of the angelic conflict].

1 Peter 1:17 And if you yourselves make it a practice to call upon the Father [in prayer], Who impartially evaluates [with objectivity] according to the criterion of each person’s production [spiritual works], then order your behavior during the time of your temporary residence [sojourn on earth] with respect [occupation with Christ],

1 Peter 1:18 Because you know that not by perishable things, such as silver or gold, were you redeemed by the payment of a ransom [purchased off the slave auction block] out from your futile manner of life handed down from generation to generation [legalistic heresies passed down unchecked because of poor biblical understanding],

1 Peter 1:19 But by means of the most valuable blood of Christ [representative analogy for His spiritual death], as a Lamb without blemish [no sin nature] and spotless [impeccability], 

1 Peter 1:20 Who was indeed foreordained [decreed by the omnipotence of the Father] before the foundation of the world [preincarnate state with the Father], but received manifestation in these latest of historical times [last moments of the Age of Israel before the Church Age dispensation began] because of you,

1 Peter 1:21 Who by Him [Jesus Christ] are believers in God [emphasis on the Father], having raised Him [Jesus Christ] out from the dead [resurrection] and having given Him [His humanity] glory, with the result that your faith and confidence might be in God.

1 Peter 1:22 Therefore, having purified your souls [confession of sin] by means of obedience to the truth [recognition of the authority of Bible doctrine], accompanied by genuine brotherly love [phileo], begin exercising virtue love [agape] towards one another of the same kind [fellow believers] with intense concentration from a spiritually pure mentality of the soul,  

1 Peter 1:23 Having been born again in the past with results that continue to this present moment, not out of corruptible seed [physical], but out of incorruptible seed [the soul seed is born], by means of the Word of God which lives and abides.     

1 Peter 1:24 For every type of flesh [human good] is like grass, and every type of glory [details of life] is like the wildflower of the grass: the grass withers away [human good has no merit] and the flower falls off [you can’t take the details of life with you],

1 Peter 1:25 But the Word of the Lord abides [permanency of doctrine compared to temporary details of life] forever [the doctrine in your soul goes to heaven with you]. And this [Word of the Lord] is the Word [spoken] which we have been communicating to you.  

1 Peter 2:1 Therefore, put aside [like soiled under-garments] all malice [petty antagonism] and all craftiness [deceit] and hypocrisies [façade to cover your disregard for the inner life of doctrine] and envies [jealousies] and all slanders [verbal sins],

1 Peter 2:2 Like newborn babies [recent converts with a superficial knowledge of doctrine] long for the unadulterated [pure], reasonable [logical] milk [a little doctrine at a time due to their spiritual immaturity], so that by it [milk: the whole realm of doctrine one bottle at a time] you may grow with respect to salvation [sanctification salvation],

1 Peter 2:3 If [and it’s true] you have tasted [experienced] that the Lord is benefical,

1 Peter 2:4 Face-to-face with Whom we are constantly approaching [drawing near in intimate fellowship], the Living Stone [Jesus Christ], on the one hand rejected in the past and is still rejected by the authority of men [Judaism], but on the other hand, selected and respected by the authority of God.

1 Peter 2:5 You yourselves also, as living stones, are being built-up [by the Holy Spirit] a spiritual house [edification complex of the soul], by a holy priesthood [all believers are priests before God], for the purpose of offering spiritual sacrifices [daily intake and metabolism of Bible doctrine], acceptable to God [divine good] through Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:6 Because of this [building of a spiritual house], it is contained in the Scriptures [Isaiah 28:16]: Behold, I have deposited in Zion [Israel] the Chief Foundation Stone [which holds together the two corners of Israel and the Church], the Elect One, the Honorable One, and the one who has believed in Him [Jesus Christ] shall never be put to shame [eternal security].

1 Peter 2:7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is of highest value [occupation with Christ], but to those who do not believe, He [Jesus Christ] is the Stone Who was rejected after examination by those [Jews of the Sanhedrin] who are in the habit of building, Who has become the Head of the corner [over both Jews and the Church],

1 Peter 2:8 And a stumbling Stone [which tripped the religious Jew] and a Rock of offense [scandal of the cross], who [as unbelievers] because they continue in unbelief, are forever stumbling against the Word [locked-in negative volition], into which [continued stumbling] they were indeed appointed [reprobation by divine decree].

1 Peter 2:9 But you are an elect family [chosen for privilege, regardless of human ancestry], a royal priesthood [royal residence or palace composed of believer-priests], a holy nation [spiritual pivot of God’s client nation], a people for continual preservation [purchased at the cross and dependant on God’s power system], in order that you might reproduce [as His ambassadors in spiritual self-esteem] the virtues of Him [Jesus Christ] Who has called [elected] you out of darkness [satanic influence] into His marvelous light [the divine power system],

1 Peter 2:10 Who at one time were not a people [pre-salvation], but now [after regeneration and conversion] are the people [royal family] of God; who were not recipients of mercy [pre-salvation], but now [after regeneration and conversion] have become recipients of mercy.

1 Peter 2:11 Beloved [members of the royal family], I command you as resident aliens [living on earth, but home is in heaven] and visiting strangers [living among unbelievers], to avoid corrupting, insatiable lusts [power of the old sin nature], which are constantly waging a military campaign [full blown spiritual war] against the soul,

1 Peter 2:12 Constantly maintaining your pattern of life honorably before unbelievers [those outside the royal family of God], so that having previously maligned you as [accused you of being] an evildoer in this [some observable behavior], they might later glorify God [changing their attitude towards you] on a day characterized by inspection [during a time of intense pressure or disaster], because of your honorable production [behavior] which they have carefully observed from time to time [as personal eye witnesses].

1 Peter 2:13 Voluntarily submit yourselves to every human institution [especially law and order] because of the Lord [authority protects freedom], whether to the king as one who is of the highest authority [primary head of human government],

1 Peter 2:14 Or to governors [dispatched officials] as those who are sent by him [the king] to inflict judicial punishment upon evildoers [criminals, enemies], as well as high honor [recognition and support] to those who are performing a great public service [education, civic officials],

1 Peter 2:15 Because in this manner [respecting legitimate authority], it is the will of God, so that by performing this great service, you will be reducing to silence the ignorance of unreflecting men [moral cowardice],

1 Peter 2:16 As one of those who are free, but not as one of those who use their liberty as a veil [smokescreen] over maliciousness [rejecting the very authority which protects and guarantees their freedom], but rather as those who are bondslaves of God.

1 Peter 2:17 Give honor to all categories of men [those in positions of authority over you]. Love the royal family, respect [concentrate continually on] God, recognize the authority of the king [president].

1 Peter 2:18 House slaves [labor], make it a practice to recognize the authority of your masters [management] with all respect, not only to efficient and reasonable ones, but also to unfair and incompetent ones.

1 Peter 2:19 For this [subjection to unfair authority] is grace [above and beyond what is normally expected], when anyone because of conscience towards God [divine norms & standards], endures grief [affliction], suffering unjustly [undeserved suffering is designed for your growth when you are in fellowship].

1 Peter 2:20 For what kind of credit is there when you have committed a sin [fallen short of expectations] and you continue to endure rough treatment for it [taking your lumps: deserved suffering]? But when you are producing divine good [in fellowship] and are suffering [undeservedly], enduring it patiently, this is grace from the source of God.

1 Peter 2:21 For you were called [elect in eternity past] for this very thing [undeserved suffering], because Christ also suffered on your behalf [substitutionary spiritual death], leaving behind a copyhead [example], in order that you might copy [follow] His tracks [footsteps],

1 Peter 2:22 Who never committed a single sin [undiminished deity, impeccability], neither was deceit found in His mouth [no sins of the tongue were ever manifest],

1 Peter 2:23 Who never succumbed to the temptation to retaliate [revenge motivation] although He was wounded with false accusations and physical abuse, Who did not threaten [mental attitude sin] when He was enduring intense suffering, but rather kept on delivering all [both the accusers and their abuse] to the One [God the Father] Who always judges righteously [discipline is administered by God alone],

1 Peter 2:24 Who Himself carried the burden of our [believers only] sins in His body on the cross, in order that we [believers], having died with respect to sins [retroactive positional truth], might live with respect to righteousness [experiential sanctification], by means of Whose bruise [crucifixion] you were restored [reconciled to God and spiritually healed from the domination of your old sin nature].

1 Peter 2:25 For you were existing [in a pre-salvation condition] as sheep [elect ones] who were led astray [by Satan], but now [after regeneration] you have been converted to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

1 Peter 3:1 Likewise [with the same submission as that of house slaves], you wives, make it a practice to place yourselves in subjection to the authority of [voluntarily submit to] your own husbands [not to the husbands of other women], so that if any [husbands] are rejecting the authority of doctrine, they will be won over by the conduct [submissive way of life] of without a word [absence of nagging or complaining] wives.

1 Peter 3:2 After they [husbands] have observed your pure [spiritual] way of life in the sphere of trust and reverence.

1 Peter 3:3 Whose adornment must not only be external [to the neglect of the inner life]: such as braided [fashionable] hair styles, wearing jewelry [and other accessories], or wearing attractive clothing [color-matching and coordination according to the latest fad or questionable trend],

1 Peter 3:4 But also [in addition to your external adornment] the hidden person of the mentality of the soul [your spiritual life is the key to your inner beauty]: by means of an incorruptible [free of mental and verbal sins] genuine humility and a tranquil human spirit [due to an abundance of metabolized Bible doctrine], which [mentality of the soul] continues to be extremely valuable in the sight of God [according to divine viewpoint].

1 Peter 3:5 For in this manner [combining the internal and external], way back when [during the age of the patriarchs], holy [spiritually minded] wives, who confidently placed their trust in God [studied the Word of God on a daily basis] and voluntarily submitted themselves to the authority of their own husbands [divine protocol], made it a practice to adorn themselves externally [dressed beautifully for their husbands],

1 Peter 3:6 Even as Sarah came to obey Abraham [she finally shut up and listened to him after years of rebellion], calling him lord [sign or authority orientation], whose daughters you will become as long as you make it a practice to produce divine good [function of the grace apparatus for perception] and are never afraid [of submission itself or your husbands] or intimidated in any way [ridiculed by feminist types].

1 Peter 3:7 Also [prescribing a reciprocal arrangement], you husbands make it a practice to live with them [sexual relationship] according to the knowledge [of how to satisfy them sexually], granting access [body and soul] on a continual basis to your wife, honor [her needs and desires get first privilege] as to the weaker vessel [because she depends upon her husband to fill her soul and body], indeed as heirs together of the grace of life [sex in marriage is a grace gift from God], so that as a result your prayers will not be hindered [an unstable domestic environment, especially in the sphere of the sexual relationship, hinders the effectiveness of prayer].

1 Peter 3:8 And in conclusion [final discourse on husbands and wives], all of you [husbands, wives, others] be likeminded [having the mind of Christ], understanding [grace orientation to life], having maximum capacity for brotherly love [friendship], compassionate [properly functioning emotions controlled by the intellect], possessing genuine [as opposed to enforced] humility,

1 Peter 3:9 Not returning evil in exchange for evil [retaliation], nor insult in exchange for insult [verbal revenge], but on the contrary, keep on thanking God for His gracious blessings [by studying His Word and in prayer], because you were called into this principle [non-retaliation through the application of Bible doctrine], so that you may acquire a permanent inheritance of grace blessing [inner happiness].

1 Peter 3:10 For he who keeps on desiring to continue to love life [capacity for life based on doctrine] and to see [look back on as a panorama] good days, let him refrain his tongue [verbal sins] from the ultimate source of evil [mental attitude sins] so his lips communicate no deceit. 

1 Peter 3:11 Moreover, avoid the ultimate source of evil [the cosmic system] and produce good of intrinsic value [function inside the divine system]; search for tranquility [inner happiness from maximum doctrine in the soul] and pursue it [daily intake of Bible doctrine], 

1 Peter 3:12 Because the eyes of the Lord [divine pleasure] are upon the righteous and His ears [divine omniscience] are upon their prayers, but the face of the Lord [divine discipline] is against those who habitually produce evil [continued residence and function in the cosmic system].

1 Peter 3:13 Then who is he that will mistreat you if you yourselves become enthusiastic adherents of the good [residence and function in the divine system]?

1 Peter 3:14 However, if [I wish it were true, but I doubt it is in your case] you should suffer for righteousness sake [while functioning in the divine system]: happinesses [suffering for blessing]. Moreover, do not be afraid of their efforts to inflict fear nor be worried [mental attitude sins destroy the reward you receive for undeserved suffering],

1 Peter 3:15 But set apart [concentrate] the mentality of your soul upon Christ the Lord, always prepared to provide an answer [defense] to each person who keeps on asking you questions about the confidence in you [which comes from doctrine],

1 Peter 3:16 And also, with grace orientation and awe [occupation with Christ], keep on maintaining a good conscience [divine norms & standards], so that when you are maligned by them, they might be ashamed of [frustrated and disappointed by] their constant abusing of your good [consistently divine viewpoint] behavior in the sphere of Christ.

1 Peter 3:17 For if the will of God wills that you endure suffering [I hope it does, but maybe it doesn’t], then better to be performing good [functioning in the divine system] than to be performing evil [functioning in the cosmic system].

1 Peter 3:18 Because Christ also suffered once [on the cross] as a substitute for our sins [believers only: definite atonement], the Just One as a substitute [penal] for unjust ones, for the purpose of bringing us [His elect] to God [the barrier of sin broken]: on the one hand, having been put to death with respect to the flesh [His human body], and on the other hand, was quickened [made alive by the Holy Spirit] with reference to the spirit [His human spirit],

1 Peter 3:19 By means of which [His human spirit now energized again by the Holy Spirit], having been transported [to Tartarus], He then made a proclamation [His victory over death and Satan, not the Gospel message] to the spirits in prison [the non-elect, fallen angels who infiltrated the human race in Genesis 6],

1 Peter 3:20 Who were at one time disobedient [when they intruded upon the daughters of men], while the patience of God kept on waiting in the days of Noah [antediluvian] while the ark [type of Christ] was being constructed, into which [ark: Jesus] a few (there were eight souls) were brought to safety [delivered] through water [a type of the Father judging Christ on the cross for our sins],

1 Peter 3:21 Which [safe deliverance through the judgment of water in the ark] also corresponds to the baptism [of the Spirit] which delivers us now [during the Church Age], (not the removal of the filth of the flesh [not a bath to remove dirt from the body], but the pledge of a good conscience [now possible after the baptism of the Spirit] toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

1 Peter 3:22 Who [Jesus Christ], having been transported into heaven [ascension], keeps on being at the right hand of God [session], where angels, both authorities [fallen angels] and powers [demon commissioned officers], have been made subject to Him [operation footstool].

1 Peter 4:1 Therefore, as Christ has suffered in the flesh, you also arm yourselves with the same insightful thinking [Bible doctrine controlling your mental attitude], because the person who has suffered with respect to the flesh [undeserved suffering] has the possibility of quieting sin [confession of sin pauses the activity of the sin nature, restores fellowship with the Trinity, and turns suffering into blessing],

1 Peter 4:2 So that he may no longer live [as a pattern of life] the rest of time [on earth in a physical body] in the sphere of the flesh [old sin nature] according to the lusts of mankind [in the cosmic system], but according to the will [protocol plan] of God.

1 Peter 4:3 For sufficient time [more than enough] has elapsed for you to have lived [accomplished on the outside as a result of adrenalin on the inside] according to the desire of unbelievers [the fast crowd], continually traveling from one place to another [restless jetsetting] in the sphere of lasciviousness [uncontrolled libido], physical appetites, drunken orgies, carousing, drinking bouts, and forbidden idolatries.

1 Peter 4:4 In which [party-animal life] they are astonished because you are no longer running [hanging-out] with them [instead separated unto God] in their excess of debauchery [incorrigible behavior], so that they keep on maligning you [since you have not joined them in their fun and games],

1 Peter 4:5 Who [the maligned believers] shall give an account to the One [Jesus Christ] Who is holding back in readiness [at the right hand of the Father] to evaluate those who are living [those who are alive up to the moment of the rapture] and the dead [those who die before the rapture],

1 Peter 4:6 Because for this purpose, the good news was indeed proclaimed to the dead [those who die before the rapture] so that they might be evaluated: on the one hand [unfavorable evaluation by human beings before death], according to the norms and standards of mankind [human viewpoint: on the basis of human good] with respect to the flesh [serving God on earth], but on the other hand [favorable evaluation by God after death], so that they will live according to the norms and standards of God [divine viewpoint: on the basis of divine good] with respect to the spirit [serving God in heaven].

1 Peter 4:7 Now the culmination of all this [undeserved suffering] approaches [Nero is about to start his reign of terror against Christians]. Therefore, be stabilized in your thought pattern [from the daily intake of doctrine] and be self-disciplined [well-balanced] with regard to prayer.

1 Peter 4:8 Before all things [top priority], continue to maintain genuine virtue love among yourselves [believers as a group tend to fall apart under pressure], because [the function of] virtue love will prevent a multitude of sins [mental, verbal and overt sins against fellow believers],

1 Peter 4:9 Hospitable to one another of the same kind [fellow believers under great pressure] without resentment.

1 Peter 4:10 Since everyone received [at salvation] a spiritual gift [sovereignly disposed by grace], be ministering it to one another [like waiting on tables] on a continual basis as good administrators of the diversified grace of God.

1 Peter 4:11 If anyone continues to communicate [speaks publicly during times of disaster], let him communicate the doctrines of God while doing so. If anyone continues to minister [exercises his spiritual gift during times of disaster], let him minister out of the power which God supplies [filling of the Spirit] while doing so, so that in all things God may be continually glorified through Jesus Christ [the focus is on God and not yourself], in Whom keeps on residing the glory and the sovereign power from the ages [prior dispensations] to the ages [future dispensations]. Acknowledge it.

1 Peter 4:12 Beloved [members of the royal family], stop being shocked by the intense pressures [providential preventative suffering] among you which have come face-to-face to you with testing for your benefit [they might propel you into spiritual autonomy], as though it [suffering] is a strange thing [unlikely] to happen to you,

1 Peter 4:13 But keep on rejoicing inasmuch as you share in common the sufferings of Christ [you aren’t alone during this intense pressure], so that in the sphere of the revelation of His glory [both strategic and tactical victories], you may receive inner happiness, always celebrating [regardless of what pressure comes our way].

1 Peter 4:14 If you are censored from time-to-time [in this case silenced by legal authorities] because of the Name [Person] of Christ, happinesses to you, because the glory, even the Spirit of God, is resting with refreshing power upon you.

1 Peter 4:15 By all means, let none of you [believers] continue to suffer [for discipline] as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer [criminal] or as a meddler in other people’s business [violating privacy of the priesthood].

1 Peter 4:16 But if as a Christian [he suffers undeservedly], let him not be ashamed, but let him continually glorify God because of this title [Christian],

1 Peter 4:17 For the time has come to begin judgment [confessing your sins] from within the family of God [the church on earth represented by each individual believer]. Moreover, if it first begins with us, what shall be the outcome of those who repeatedly refuse to obey the good news of God [they will receive shame instead of rewards at the Evaluation Seat of Christ due to long-term failure to confess sins]? 

1 Peter 4:18 Moreover, if a righteous person [those who have confessed their sins and have been forgiven by God and cleansed from all unrighteousness] scarcely receives his deliverance [from the sin nature’s control of the soul], where [what further opportunity beyond the Evaluation Seat of Christ] shall the impious person [those who refuse to confess their sins to God], even the sinner [they remain in the status quo of unconfessed sin and unrighteousness] present himself in a favorable light?

1 Peter 4:19 For this reason also [to obtain a favorable evaluation at the Judgment Seat of Christ], let those who are suffering from time-to-time [undeserved] according to the authoritative, doctrinal will of God [divine norms and standards], deposit their souls on a regular basis in the sphere of divine good [residence and function in the divine system is the best way to endure suffering].

1 Peter 5:1 Consequently, I repeatedly encourage the elders among you [pastors & teachers scattered in the geographical area of Pontis], as a fellow elder [one pastor to another], a witness [firsthand] to the sufferings of Christ, who is also a fellow partner [partaker] of the glory which is destined to be revealed [suffering and death is the glory about to be unleashed in Turkey by Nero against pastors of the Christian faith]:

1 Peter 5:2 Start shepherding the flock of God among you [protect and feed them Bible doctrine], taking the reins of authority as an overseer [highest rank in an assembly], not by compulsion [bullied by other churchmembers], but willingly according to God [get with His program], not for commercial gain [monetary reversionism], but prepared to discharge your duties with responsibility [readiness],

1 Peter 5:3 Not so much as being bullies [authority arrogance] over the members of your congregation [those allotted to you], but making it a practice to become patterns for the flock [emphasis on the doctrine in your soul, not your personality].

1 Peter 5:4 Then when the Chief Shepherd [Jesus Christ] shall appear [at the rapture], you [pastors] will receive as a reward for fulfilling your responsibility [faithfulness in studying and teaching] the unfading wreath of glory.

1 Peter 5:5 In the same way, comparative novices [pastor trainees], be under the command authority of pastors [you may have several as you grow in your Christian life]. Moreover, all of you [members of each congregation], fasten yourselves to each other with grace thinking [relaxed mental attitude], because God Himself continues to make war against the arrogant [enforced humility through divine discipline], but He continues to give grace to the humble [genuine humility].

1 Peter 5:6 Therefore, allow yourselves to become grace-oriented [genuine humility] under the authority of the ruling hand of God, so that He may promote you [with supergrace blessings] at the proper time [when you reach maturity],

1 Peter 5:7 Casting [body slam] all your concern [fear, worry, anxiety] upon Him [faith rest technique], because He Himself cares for you [your logistical grace support is His providential responsibility].

1 Peter 5:8 Become stabilized [well-balanced and self-controlled by the metabolization of Bible doctrine], become oriented [watchful by the application of Bible doctrine]. Your enemy [adversary in the angelic lawsuit], the slanderer [that devil, Satan], as a constantly prowling, roaring lion, is constantly seeking for those he may devour [enslave to one or more gates of his cosmic system],

1 Peter 5:9 Whom you must steadfastly resist [as soliders in a battle line] by means of doctrine, knowing that these categories of suffering [momentum tests] are continually being endured [as a prerequisite for advance to spiritual maturity] by your fellow brothers [others who are approaching supergrace] in the midst of the world.

1 Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace, Who has called us into His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, after you have suffered [as part of your spiritual growth] for a short time [while on earth], will Himself keep on mending your nets [full recovery from suffering by means of doctrine], will keep on stabilizing your minds [reinforce with doctrine], will keep on maturing you spiritually [strengthened by doctrine], and will continue to establish a firm foundation for you [building an edification complex in the soul].

1 Peter 5:11 To Him be dominion [ruling power] forever [the dispensations of providence]. Acknowledge it.

1 Peter 5:12 Through Silvanus [Silas as amanuensis and courier], a faithful brother unto you, concerning whom I have evaluated and have complete confidence [personal endorsement], I have written briefly for the purpose of encouragement and now testify this [epistle] to be the true grace of God, in which [doctrines: precepts and principles] you must stand fast.

1 Peter 5:13 The [assembly of believers] in Babylon [actual city on the Euphrates River], elect together with you [in eternity past], and Mark, my trainee, salute you.

1 Peter 5:14 Salute one another of the same kind [fellow believers] with a kiss of virtue love [handshake]. Peace to all of you who are in Christ Jesus.