At the end of last year, YouVersion highlighted the top 10 Bible verses that were shared the most. I found the list interesting and thought that it could be helpful to understand them in their original context. Today we are looking at 1 Peter 5:6—which according to YouVersion was the second-most shared verse in 2013.
The Verse:
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, (1 Peter 5:6 ESV)
The Context:
I find it a tad interesting that 1 Peter 5:6 is one of the most shared verses and not 1 Peter 5:7. Though, I’m not surprised that this is a heavily shared verse. We love stories of the humble beginning. I imagine that many share this verse to encourage those that are struggling to keep holding on because eventually God will exalt you.
If that is the case are we reading this verse correctly? Is this a verse to encourage those suffering that eventually they’ll end up on top?
First, let’s consider the context of 1 Peter. It is correct that he is speaking to believers that are suffering—likely, under pretty intense persecution. This letter is a sort of sojourners guide to living as an exile in a place that you used to call home. When I preached through 1 Peter awhile back I used an illustration of Rip Van Winkle that you might find helpful.
So, it is true that in the context this verse is an encouragement for struggling believers to remain humble. But there are questions that we must ask of this verse. And these are questions that can be answer from the surrounding verses.
What does it look like for believers to humble themselves in the midst of intense persecution? Is this exaltation something that happens in this life or in the one to come?
The Meaning:
In most Bibles there is an unfortunate paragraph break at verse 6. It shouldn’t really be there because what we read in 1 Peter 5:6 is a conclusion based on what Peter just quoted from Proverbs 3:34. If God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble, then you want to be humble.
But what does such a humility look like? I believer 1 Peter 5:7 answers that question. I prefer the way that the ESV words verse 7. It helps us to see that what is happening in verse is an explanation of the way in which this humbling takes place. “”Humble yourselves” is the action and “casting all your anxieties on him” is the way in which that action takes place.
As usual, Tom Schreiner, explains the text well:
Worry is a form of pride because when believers are filled with anxiety, they are convinced that they must solve all the problems in their lives in their own strength. The only god they trust in is themselves. When believers throw their worries upon God, they express trust in his mighty hand, acknowledging that he is Lord and Sovereign over all of life. (Schreiner, 1,2 Peter and Jude, 241)
So, then, 1 Peter 5:6 is calling us in the midst of suffering to trust in the mighty hand of God by throwing all of our care upon him. And quite likely the phrase “casting all your anxieties upon him” comes from Psalm 55. If you want a picture of what a humble casting your cares upon the Lord looks like then read that beautiful Psalm.
What happens when we humble ourselves in such a manner? Is this verse a promise that eventually we will end up on top?
Yes and no. It is quite possible that the “proper time” of 1 Peter 5:6 is referring to a time in the future when the believer will be vindicated or exalted. Though that is plausible, Peter usually looks to our future exaltation at the end. There is a day in which the humble will be exalted, and this for all eternity. It is, I believe, this day to which Peter is pointing us.
Conclusion:
When we read and quote 1 Peter 5:6 it should draw our hearts to long for the day in which Christ Jesus will return and set all things right. This is a motivation for us to continue in the suffering—whatever lot the Almighty hand of God has determined for us in this season—knowing that eventually God will bring vindication. And as we endure suffering and persecution, may we do it in humility as we throw all of our anxiety upon the Lord.
One Comment
Comments are closed.