Interpretive Journey 1 Peter 5:6-7
1 Peter 5:6-7
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the
proper time he may exalt you, 7casting all your anxieties on him, because he
cares for you”. This is one of my
favorite scriptures in the Bible. As we
look at the five steps of how to apply, or live out, this scripture we will see
what the author’s meaning was and still is today.
The
first step of the interpretive journey is to grasp the text in their own town looking
at the historical and cultural text.
This Epistle was written around 64 AD and was passed around between 5
different provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. Peter wrote this letter at a time when Nero
began his violent outrage against believers in Rome. Peter refers to the recipients of this letter
as pilgrims, strangers in this world, sojourners. Knowing that Christians would be persecuted
he was trying to encourage them to endure the trials and put your hope in Jesus
because in a little while this will all be over. He also challenges the believer to have
righteous conduct. It seems that this
Epistle is meant for a more general audience and its intent was more than just
a letter. It was intended to be widely
spread to give a message of hope and exhortation especially during the time of
Nero persecution.
The
second step of the interpretive journey is to measure the width of the river to
cross. This is the step where the
Christian today can see the differences from the biblical audience. In this specific Bible passage there are some
differences. One of the main differences
is the fact that there was a violent “president” persecuting Christians. I live in America and it is hard for me to
relate to something like that. I see on
the news where other countries are bullied by their government and
oppressed. Not so much here in the
USA. Although Americans have personal
struggles we are not hiding in houses to have Bible study and pray.
The
third step in the interpretive journey is cross the theological principle
bridge communicated by the passage. The
theological principle that I see is humble yourself. When I read the verses before this passage,
especially verse 5 Peter says “Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility
toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Then Peter goes on to say “humble yourselves,
therefore…”. He is calling Christians
who have the hope of Jesus Christ to humble themselves. This was a very stressful time for Christians
because of Nero so when Peter goes on to say “casting all your anxieties on
him, because he cares for you.” So he is
saying I know you are scared and stressed but humble yourselves and know that
he cares for you so give him your worries.
The
fourth step in the interpretive journey is to consult the biblical map. In other words how does this theological
principle fit in with the rest of the Bible?
So many passages come to mind but I want to bring out two right
now. The first one is Philippians 4:6
where Paul say to not be anxious for anything but instead go to God an
pray. The second verse is in James 4:10
where he says “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” So it is a theological principle that is
throughout the Bible. There is nothing
in the Bible to refute the theological principle of humbling oneself and
casting cares on Jesus.
The
fifth step in the interpretive journey is to grasp the text in our town. How should individual Christians today live
out this theological principle? Peter
was talking to an audience that was starting to be violently persecuted whereas
today in America we are not under that kind of violent persecution. The principle of Christians humbling
themselves is still a valid theological principle. Humility is associated with setting aside our
selfishness and looking to the needs of others.
However in this passage of 1 Peter 5:6-7 it would appear that he is
encouraging Christians to humble themselves and rely on God to get them
through. That is why Peter keeps
reminding them of the hope in Christ Jesus.
It is worth saying that in verse 5 “God opposes the proud but gives
grace to the humble”, the oppose in the Greek means to set oneself
against. So if you read this verse this
way God sets himself against, in a battle way, the proud but gives grace to the
humble. The proud is something that God
hates and is willing to do battle against it.
Pride is the same thing as the devil.
Humility brings about God’s grace and He becomes your warrior as you
cast all your cares on Him as well.
