Translation commentary on 1 Peter 5:5

After addressing the elders, Peter now turns his attention to the younger men. In the same way translates the same transitional formula found in 3.1 and 3.7, for which see notes above. It is possible that the formula here connects this verse with the preceding verses; what is meant then is that the younger ones among the believers must pattern their conduct after the elders. This is even more likely if “being examples” in verse 3 is interpreted to include the elements of humility and submission.

It is more likely, however, that the formula has the same function that it has in 3.1 and 3.7, which is primarily to introduce a new subject, but under the general theme of submission.

A strictly literal rendering of In the same way can be seriously misunderstood since it might suggest that the younger men must also have responsibility for the care of the believers. What seems to be involved in this transition is simply a statement indicating that what the writer has just said in verses 1-4 has implications for younger men as well as older men. Accordingly, it may be quite satisfactory to render In the same way as “and as for younger men.”

For submit yourselves, see notes on 2.13, 18; 3.1. Younger men is literally “the young among you,” for which three interpretations have been advanced: (1) office bearers but lower in rank to the church elders, hence deacons; (2) the rest of the church members, apart from the church leaders; and (3) the younger members of the congregation (compare Knox “And you, who are young…”). For both (1) and (2), “elders” (Revised Standard Version) in this verse would refer to the church leaders mentioned in verses 1-4; but for the third alternative, “elders” would be interpreted in terms of age rather than of office, hence Good News Translation older men (compare Knox “your seniors”).

Submit yourselves to must generally be translated as “obey” or “do what you are told by.”

Quoted with permission from Arichea, Daniel C. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The First Letter from Peter. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1980. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Peter 5:5

Paragraph 5:5

In this paragraph Peter urged his readers to be humble in their attitude and in their behavior to one another.

5:5a

Young men: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Young men refers in a general way to men under the age of about forty. It is a masculine form but can refer to people of both sexes. Peter was not excluding young women, so some versions translate this as:

younger people (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
you that are younger (Revised Standard Version)

in the same way: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as in the same way appears to be a way of introducing a new subject on the same general theme. This same expression was used in 3:1, addressed to wives. As the elders submit to the Chief Shepherd, so the young men should submit to their elders. As it is a new subject, the most natural way to start the paragraph may be:

As for you, young men/men and women…

submit yourselves to: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as submit yourselves to means to accept the authority of someone. This is the same word that was used in 2:13a. Some other ways this word has been translated include:

accept the authority of (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
obey (Contemporary English Version)

your elders: There are two ways of interpreting the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as elders here:

(1) It refers to church leaders. For example:

the elders (New Jerusalem Bible)

(Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, NET Bible, God’s Word, New Living Translation (2004))

(2) It refers to older people in general. For example:

older people (New Century Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible, Contemporary English Version, New International Version, Good News Translation, New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Peter was probably using the word “elder” in the same sense in which he used it in 5:1–4.

5:5b

all of you: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as all of you here means the whole church, including the elders. Here is another way to translate this:

everyone (Contemporary English Version)

clothe yourselves with humility: This is a metaphor. Peter was comparing humility to an item of clothing that a person wraps around himself. Other ways to translate this include:

wrap yourselves in humility
-or-
cover/cloak yourself with humility
-or-
wear a humble attitude

Avoid giving the impression that Peter was referring to hiding oneself. He wanted this virtue to be an important part of every believer’s way of thinking.

If it is hard to translate this metaphor in your language, you may need to say something more general:

always behave in a modest/humble way
-or-
Everyone should be humble toward everybody else. (Contemporary English Version)

humility: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as humility refers to having a modest and appropriate attitude towards oneself. It means not being proud or arrogant. In some languages, humility may need to be expressed in a verb form. For example:

be humble

5:5c

because: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as because here introduces a quotation from the Scriptures that supports what Peter had just been saying.

You may wish to make clear that the quotation is from Scripture (Proverbs 3:34) and say:

as they wrote in God’s word/book

5:5d

God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble: This is a proverb or a saying similar in form to a proverb. Other ways to translate it include:

God opposes the arrogant but favors the humble (God’s Word)
-or-
God opposes proud people, but he helps everyone who is humble (Contemporary English Version)

God opposes the proud: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as God opposes the proud means that God rejects, resists, or refuses to help people who are proud. Some other ways this phrase is translated include:

God is against the proud (New Century Version)
-or-
God resists the proud (Good News Translation)

the proud: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the proud refers to people who are arrogant or haughty, who are not humble. These are people who think highly of themselves and despise others. They may think that they do not need God’s grace. Here are some other ways to translate this noun:

the arrogant (God’s Word)
-or-
proud people

but gives grace to the humble: This phrase describes the opposite situation. God does not oppose or refuse to help humble people. On the contrary, he is kind to them. See how you translated the related word “humility” in 5:5b.

grace: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as grace here refers to kindness or favor that is undeserved. See how you translated this word in 1:2e and 1:10a.

the humble: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the humble is the opposite of “the proud.” It refers to people who are modest and think of themselves in a humble and appropriate way. They realize that they are undeserving of God’s kindness. See how you translated the related word “humility” in 5:5b. Here is another way to translate this noun:

proud people

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Sung version of 1 Peter 5

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