Chapter Five

Admonitions to Shepherds and Flocks 5:1-9

The fifth chapter contains instructions to pastors and flocks, the Apostolic blessing and concluding greetings.The Apostle exhorts pastors to shepherd the flock of God, supervising it not under compulsion, but willingly, not for vile gain, but out of zeal, and not ruling over the inheritance of God, but setting an example for the flock. supervising him not under compulsion, but willingly and pleasing to God" — i.e. the pastor must be filled with love for his great work, must feel a call to it from above, so that he may not be a hireling, but a true shepherd, loving his spiritual sheep (5:2) [1]; Not for vile gain, but out of zeal" – this is the second feature of good pastorship, which is called unselfishness. This does not mean that a pastor should not benefit from his flock (see 1 Cor. 9:7 [2], 13-14 [3]), but only that he should not pastor for profit and personal gain, should not extort money for his labors. And not ruling over the inheritance of God, but setting an example for the flock" — a pastor cannot but have spiritual power over his flock, but this power should not have the character of despotism and arbitrariness, which arises from self-love and pride. A true shepherd must be a good example to his flock, so that he will easily, without coercion, acquire the necessary authority and spiritual power over them (5:3) [4]. For such good pastoral work, the Apostle promises an "unfading crown" from the Chief Shepherd, Christ (5:4). "Likewise the younger ones," that is, the ordinary believers, "obey the shepherds." "All of you, being subject to one another, clothe yourselves with humility, for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Submitting to one another" means that each in his position must submit to his superiors, and thus show humility, which alone attracts the grace of God to a person (5:5-7) [5].The Apostle calls for sobriety and spiritual vigilance, pointing out that the enemy of human salvation, the devil, "walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" – i.e. like a ferocious lion, the devil, eternally breathing hatred, seeks to destroy all the careless and frivolous. It must be resisted first of all by "firm faith," for faith unites with Christ, Whom the devil fears (5:8-9).

Apostolic Blessing and Greetings 5:10-14

St. Peter concludes his first epistle with good wishes from God to be firm, unshaken in the faith, conveying greetings from the church in Babylon and from "his son Mark," and giving "peace in Christ Jesus" (5:10-14). It was this Mark who wrote his Gospel from the words of the Apostle Peter. shepherd the flock of God that is among you, watching over it not under compulsion, but willingly and pleasing to God, not for abominable gain, but out of zeal. ^ What warrior ever serves at his own expense? Who, having planted a vineyard, does not eat its fruit? Who, tending the flock, does not eat the milk of the flock? ^ Do you not know that the priests eat from the sanctuary? that those who serve the altar take a portion of the altar? In the same way, the Lord commanded those who preach the Gospel to live by the gospel. ^ and not having dominion over the inheritance of God, but setting an example for the flock; ^ Likewise, the younger ones, obey the shepherds; nevertheless, in submission to one another, clothe yourselves with humility, for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. Cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you. ^

The Second Conciliar Epistle of the Apostle Peter

Admonitions to Shepherds and Flocks 5:1-9

The fifth chapter contains instructions to pastors and flocks, the Apostolic blessing and concluding greetings.The Apostle exhorts pastors to shepherd the flock of God, supervising it not under compulsion, but willingly, not for vile gain, but out of zeal, and not ruling over the inheritance of God, but setting an example for the flock. supervising him not under compulsion, but willingly and pleasing to God" — i.e. the pastor must be filled with love for his great work, must feel a call to it from above, so that he may not be a hireling, but a true shepherd, loving his spiritual sheep (5:2) [1]; Not for vile gain, but out of zeal" – this is the second feature of good pastorship, which is called unselfishness. This does not mean that a pastor should not benefit from his flock (see 1 Cor. 9:7 [2], 13-14 [3]), but only that he should not pastor for profit and personal gain, should not extort money for his labors. And not ruling over the inheritance of God, but setting an example for the flock" — a pastor cannot but have spiritual power over his flock, but this power should not have the character of despotism and arbitrariness, which arises from self-love and pride. A true shepherd must be a good example to his flock, so that he will easily, without coercion, acquire the necessary authority and spiritual power over them (5:3) [4]. For such good pastoral work, the Apostle promises an "unfading crown" from the Chief Shepherd, Christ (5:4). "Likewise the younger ones," that is, the ordinary believers, "obey the shepherds." "All of you, being subject to one another, clothe yourselves with humility, for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Submitting to one another" means that each in his position must submit to his superiors, and thus show humility, which alone attracts the grace of God to a person (5:5-7) [5].The Apostle calls for sobriety and spiritual vigilance, pointing out that the enemy of human salvation, the devil, "walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" – i.e. like a ferocious lion, the devil, eternally breathing hatred, seeks to destroy all the careless and frivolous. It must be resisted first of all by "firm faith," for faith unites with Christ, Whom the devil fears (5:8-9).

Apostolic Blessing and Greetings 5:10-14

Заканчивает свое первое послание святой Петр благопожеланиями от Бога — быть твердыми, непоколебимыми в вере, передает привет от церкви в Вавилоне и от "сына своего Марка", и преподанием "мира во Христе Иисусе" (5:10-14). Именно этот Марк написал свое Евангелие со слов апостола Петра. пасите Божие стадо, какое у вас, надзирая за ним не принужденно, но охотно и богоугодно, не для гнусной корысти, но из усердия. ^ Какой воин служит когда-либо на своем содержании? Кто, насадив виноград, не ест плодов его? Кто, пася стадо, не ест молока от стада? ^ Разве не знаете, что священнодействующие питаются от святилища? что служащие жертвеннику берут долю от жертвенника? Так и Господь повелел проповедующим Евангелие жить от благовествования. ^ и не господствуя над наследием Божиим, но подавая пример стаду; ^ Также и младшие, повинуйтесь пастырям; все же, подчиняясь друг другу, облекитесь смиренномудрием, потому что Бог гордым противится, а смиренным дает благодать. Итак смиритесь под крепкую руку Божию, да вознесет вас в свое время. Все заботы ваши возложите на Него, ибо Он печется о вас. ^

Первоначальное назначение, побуждение к написанию и цель послания

Как видно из 3 гл. 1 ст. этого послания [1], оно написано было тем же малоазийским христианам, как и первое послание. В этом втором послании Апостол Петр с особой силой старается предостеречь верующих от развратных лжеучителей, деятельность которых, по-видимому, стала еще более опасной, чем прежде. Эти лжеучения сходны с теми, которые обличает Апостол Павел в своих так называемых "пастырских посланиях" к Тимофею и Титу. Большое сходство в обличении этих лжеучителей мы находим также с обличениями Апостола Иуды. Оба Апостола совершенно одинаковыми чертами изображают погибельных и развращенных еретиков, лжеучение которых угрожало вере и нравственности христиан (сравни 2 главу послания святого Петра с посланием святого Иуды). Эти лжеучения имели свой корень в безнравственности и языческой гордости. Это уже второе послание пишу к вам, возлюбленные; в них напоминанием возбуждаю ваш чистый смысл. ^

Время и место написания послания

Для определения этого могут служить слова святого Петра в 1 гл. 14 ст. этого послания: "Знаю, что скоро должен я оставить храмину мою, как и Господь наш Иисус Христос открыл мне". Следовательно, послание это написано незадолго до мученической кончины святого Апостола Петра, последовавшей, как гласит предание, в 67 году. А так как это второе послание написано после первого, то его со всей вероятностью можно отнести к 65-66 гг. Последние годы своей жизни апостол Петр, по тому же преданию, провел в Риме, где и скончался мученической смертью вместе с апостолом Павлом. Отсюда естественно заключить, что второе послание Петрово написано в Риме. Это как бы его предсмертное завещание.