1PE 5:5-9

Cast Your Cares on Him

5Likewise, you younger men, be subject to the elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

6Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time,

7casting all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.

8Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

9Resist him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

In the world it was spoken into

In the Greco-Roman world, humility was often viewed with suspicion, as it conflicted with the honor-shame culture that prized public recognition and social status. The call to 'gird on humility' would have evoked the image of slaves tying on aprons, a posture of servitude. This inversion of societal norms aligns with the Christian emphasis on God’s grace to the humble and His opposition to the proud. The instruction to cast anxieties on God reflects a trust in divine providence, countering the Stoic ideal of self-sufficiency. The warning about the Devil as a roaring lion draws on Jewish apocalyptic imagery, portraying him as an accuser in a cosmic legal battle. The call to be 'firm in the faith' underscores a resolute stance against suffering, which was a shared experience among early Christian communities across the Roman Empire.

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How other translations render this

1PE 5:5

KJV: Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
BSB: 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.”
Koinōnos: Likewise, you younger men, be subject to the elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.

1PE 5:6

KJV: Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
BSB: Humble yourselves, therefore, under Godʼs mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you.
Koinōnos: Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time,

1PE 5:7

KJV: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
BSB: Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
Koinōnos: casting all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.

1PE 5:8

KJV: Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
BSB: Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Koinōnos: Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

1PE 5:9

KJV: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
BSB: Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.
Koinōnos: Resist him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Translator's notes

1PE 5:5

humility:The word translated 'humility' here literally means to tie on an apron or servant's garment, suggesting an active, visible demonstration of service and lowliness.

1PE 5:7

anxiety:The term used here for 'anxiety' refers to a distracting, dividing care or worry that pulls one's thoughts in different directions, rather than just a general feeling of concern.

1PE 5:8

The:The word translated 'The' (referring to the devil) literally means an adversary or opponent in a legal dispute, highlighting his role as an accuser and challenger.

1PE 5:9

firm:The word translated 'firm' describes something solid, unyielding, and steadfast, like a solid rock or a strong foundation, not merely strong in a general sense.