TRV
- English
- King James KJV
- Complete Jewish CJB
- World English WEBM
- Berean Standard BSB
- American Standard ASV
- Geneva GNV
- Young's Literal YLT
- Douay-Rheims DRC
- International
- Shqip ALB
- العربية SVD
- বাংলা BN-IRV
- မြန်မာ Judson
- 简体文 CUV-S
- 繁體中文 CUV-T
- Čeština BKR
- Nederlands STVE
- Français LSG
- Deutsch SCH
- Ελληνικά Vamvas
- ગુજરાતી GU-IRV
- Hausa HCB
- עברית Hebrew
- हिन्दी HCV
- Magyar KAROLI
- Bahasa Indonesia INDO-TB
- Italiano Diodati
- 日本語 Kougo
- 한국어 Korean
- മലയാളം MAL
- मराठी MRCV
- Norsk DNB
- فارسی OPV
- Polski BG
- Português Almeida
- Română Cornilescu
- Русский Synodal
- Español RVG
- Kiswahili Neno
- Svenska SV1917
- Tagalog TAG-ADB
- தமிழ் TCV
- తెలుగు TSA
- ภาษาไทย THAI-KJV
- Українська Ohienko
- Tiếng Việt CADMAN
- Yorùbá YCB
See on the biblical-era map
Study this verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers 1 Peter 5:5–7. His three-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
Having settled and explained the duty of the pastors or spiritual guides of the church, the apostle comes now to instruct the flock,
I.How to behave themselves to their ministers and to one another.
He calls them the younger, as being generally younger than their grave pastors, and to put them in mind of their inferiority, the term younger being used by our Saviour to signify an inferior, Luk 22:26. He exhorts those that are younger and inferior to submit themselves to the elder, to give due respect and reverence to their persons, and to yield to their admonitions, reproof, and authority, enjoining and commanding what the word of God requires, Heb 13:17. As to one another, the rule is that they should all be subject one to another, so far as to receive the reproofs and counsels one of another, and be ready to bear one another's burdens, and perform all the offices of friendship and charity one to another; and particular persons should submit to the directions of the whole society, Eph 5:21.; Jam 5:16. These duties of submission to superiors in age or office, and subjection to one another, being contrary to the proud nature and selfish interests of men, he advises them to be clothed with humility. "Let your minds, behaviour, garb, and whole frame, be adorned with humility, as the most beautiful habit you can wear; this will render obedience and duty easy and pleasant; but, if you be disobedient and proud, God will set himself to oppose and crush you; for he resisteth the proud, when he giveth grace to the humble." Observe,
1.Humility is the great preserver of peace and order in all Christian churches and societies, consequently pride is the great disturber of them, and the cause of most dissensions and breaches in the church.
2.There is a mutual opposition between God and the proud, so the word signifies; they war against him, and he scorns them; he resisteth the proud, because they are like the devil, enemies to himself and to his kingdom among men, Pro 3:34.
3.Where God giveth grace to be humble, he will give more grace, more wisdom, faith, holiness, and humility. Hence the apostle adds: Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time, Pe1 5:6. "Since God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble, therefore humble yourselves, not only one to another, but to the great God, whose judgments are coming upon the world, and must begin at the house of God (Pe1 4:17); his hand is almighty, and can easily pull you down if you be proud, or exalt you if you be humble; and it will certainly do it, either in this life, if he sees it best for you, or at the day of general retribution." Learn,
(1.)The consideration of the omnipotent hand of God should make us humble and submissive to him in all that he brings upon us.
(2.)Humbling ourselves to God under his hand is the next way to deliverance and exaltation; patience under his chastisements, and submission to his pleasure, repentance, prayer, and hope in his mercy, will engage his help and release in due time, Jam 4:7, Jam 4:10.
II.The apostle, knowing that these Christians were already under very hard circumstances, rightly supposes that what he had foretold of greater hardships yet a coming might excite in them abundance of care and fear about the event of these difficulties, what the issue of them would be to themselves, their families, and the church of God; foreseeing this anxious care would be a heavy burden, and a sore temptation, he gives them the best advice, and supports it with a strong argument. His advice is to cast all their care, or all care of themselves, upon God. "Throw your cares, which are so cutting and distracting, which wound your souls and pierce your hearts, upon the wise and gracious providence of God; trust in him with a firm composed mind, for he careth for you. He is willing to release you of your care, and take the care of you upon himself. He will either avert what you fear, or support you under it. He will order all events to you so as shall convince you of his paternal love and tenderness towards you; and all shall be so ordered that no hurt, but good, shall come unto you," Mat 6:25; Psa 84:11; Rom 8:28. Learn,
1.The best of Christians are apt to labour under the burden of anxious and excessive care; the apostle calls it, all your care, intimating that the cares of Christians are various and of more sorts than one: personal cares, family cares, cares for the present, cares for the future, cares for themselves, for others, and for the church.
2.The cares even of good people are very burdensome, and too often very sinful; when they arise from unbelief and diffidence, when they torture and distract the mind, unfit us for the duties of our place and hinder our delightful service of God, they are very criminal.
3.The best remedy against immoderate care is to cast our care upon God, and resign every event to the wise and gracious determination. A firm belief of the rectitude of the divine will and counsels calms the spirit of man. We ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done, Act 21:14.
Historical interpretation
Six Centuries of Reception
5 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
Peter says that this will happen in due time, because he is teaching them that they will have to wait until the next life for this exaltation.
Since no one is without sin, no one should be without penance, for by this very fact a man becomes guilty if he presumes that he is innocent. A man may be guilty of lesser sin, but no one is without guilt.
Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, etc. Thus, He grants this grace to the humble, so that the more they are humbled for His sake at the time of the struggle, the more gloriously they may be exalted by Him at the time of recompense. But humility can be understood in many ways in this context, that is, both the humility where someone, beginning the path of virtues, is healthily worn down to wash away the sins they have committed, and the humility that is shown voluntarily, out of devotion of mind, to God or to neighbors in peace regarding surrounding matters, and also the humility where, under the attacks of persecution storms, the undefeated soul is armed with the virtue of patience. To every kind of humility devout to God, that reward succeeds, so that those who humble themselves during their pilgrimage will be exalted during His visitation.
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the Devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
It is added, "In time." For it refers to the exaltation in the future age, which is the only true exaltation, as unchangeable and everlasting, since the present exaltation is neither secure nor firm, but rather contributes to a perpetual humiliation, so that it may be humbled more quickly than it was exalted. Furthermore, the Lord Himself is suitable to reconcile humiliation with exaltation. For He says: "Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." (Matt. 18:4) And: "Whoever wishes to be first among you shall be the last of all." (Matt. 20:27) And speaking at that time, he indicated, as we said, that in the future, the exaltation promised would arise from humiliation. For there will be a time of unchangeable things in the future and in the incorruptible age. For the incorruptible has nothing mortal or perishable. Then, removing the fear that would arise from humiliation (for perhaps he saw some fearing that by humbling themselves in this present life, they would suffer some evil), he said: "Do not be afraid, casting all your anxiety on the Lord, when you have entrusted yourself to him who will take careful and diligent care of you."
"because he cares for you," or concern is placed upon him regarding all these things.
"Be sober-minded; be watchful." On those who are spiritually asleep (this, however, is to aspire to vain things) and from this, the watchfulness of souls is weighed down, the evil and most savage beast of despair is accustomed to leap upon them. Therefore, Christ's disciple, strengthening us (Matt. 13:24), exhorts us to always be vigilant and to watch over him who sows tares, lest in any way, while we are asleep, or living carelessly and sluggishly, he secretly sows wicked thoughts and drives us away from true life.
For the Devil does not cease, Peter says, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour; to whom you also resist with firm strength of mind. Concerning such sharp snares and the precise deceit of him against us, the holy Justin Martyr also brings forth the case, stating that the Devil did not clearly know the power of his punishment before the coming of the Lord, when the divine prophets had announced it mysteriously: just as Isaiah (14:4), under the persona of the Assyrian, tragically narrates the entire representation of the Devil. But when the Lord had come and had openly said that the eternal fire is reserved and prepared for the Devil and his angels (Matt. 25:41), upon hearing this, he does not cease to lie in wait for the faithful, wanting to have many companions in his defection, lest he be ashamed to cling to this alone, applauding himself with this cold and envious consolation.
"knowing that the same kinds of suffering," as it is likely, those to whom Peter writes were being pressed by many afflictions for the sake of Christ: therefore, both in the preceding and in the following, he brings consolation to this: indeed, by the fact that the enduring become themselves partakers of the afflictions of Christ and heirs of the glory that is to be revealed; here, however, by the fact that they do not suffer alone, but all the faithful who are in the world: moreover, the company of companions lightens the severity.
Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God.
"Εγκομδώσασθε" indeed means, "surround yourselves, embrace."
Continue studying 1 Peter 5:6 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
CNTR CollationThe earliest Greek manuscripts of this verse, collated letter by letter.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
Summary
First Peter 5:6 serves as a foundational exhortation to believers, calling them to a posture of active humility and confident trust in the sovereign power of God, especially when navigating the various trials and persecutions of life. It encapsulates the profound truth that genuine submission to God's will, even in suffering, is the pathway to divine exaltation, which will be realized according to God's perfect timing and wisdom. This verse offers both a command and a promise, anchoring the believer's hope in God's ultimate faithfulness and justice.
Context
Literary Context
This verse concludes Peter's practical exhortations to the scattered believers throughout Asia Minor. Following his counsel to elders to shepherd the flock willingly and humbly (1 Peter 5:1-4), and to younger members to submit to their elders (1 Peter 5:5a), Peter extends a universal call to humility to all believers. The preceding verse also emphasizes mutual humility, stating, "Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility" (1 Peter 5:5b). Thus, 1 Peter 5:6 flows directly from these specific instructions, broadening the scope of humility to encompass a direct submission "under the mighty hand of God," before Peter concludes with a final exhortation to cast anxieties on God (1 Peter 5:7) and to be vigilant against the devil (1 Peter 5:8-9).
Historical & Cultural Context
Peter's epistle is addressed to Christians dispersed throughout several Roman provinces in Asia Minor, a region where they faced significant social ostracism and various forms of persecution for their faith. This persecution was not yet state-sponsored, but rather social hostility, slander, and local harassment. In such an environment, believers were tempted to retaliate, despair, or abandon their faith. The call to humility would have been counter-cultural, as the Greco-Roman world valued honor, status, and self-assertion. Peter's instruction to humble oneself "under the mighty hand of God" would resonate with Old Testament imagery, particularly God's powerful deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage, often described as being accomplished by His "strong hand and outstretched arm" (e.g., Exodus 3:19, Deuteronomy 26:8). This imagery would reassure suffering believers that their submission was not to a weak or uncaring deity, but to an omnipotent God capable of delivering them.
Key Themes
The overarching themes in 1 Peter include enduring suffering for Christ's sake, maintaining a good conscience, living a life of hope in the midst of hardship, and the importance of community. The entire epistle consistently addresses how believers are to live as "strangers and pilgrims" (1 Peter 2:11) in a hostile world, emphasizing that their identity in Christ provides a steadfast hope that transcends present trials. Humility is presented as a crucial virtue, enabling believers to trust God's sovereignty even when circumstances are difficult, and to anticipate a future glorification that outweighs any present suffering. This aligns with the epistle's emphasis on the "living hope" (1 Peter 1:3) and the "trial of your faith" (1 Peter 1:7).
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This verb signifies to depress, or figuratively, to humiliate oneself. In this context, it is an aorist passive imperative, which carries the force of a command for believers to actively allow themselves to be humbled or to adopt a humble posture. It is not a passive resignation to external circumstances, but an intentional act of self-abasement and submission to God's will and authority, recognizing one's dependence on Him.
Derived from kratos (strength, power), this adjective means powerful or mighty. When applied to God's hand, it emphasizes His invincible strength, supreme authority, and sovereign power. It assures believers that the "hand" they are humbling themselves under is not a weak or arbitrary force, but the omnipotent hand of the Creator and Sustainer of all things.
This term refers to an occasion, a set or proper time, or an opportune season. It is distinct from chronos (G5550), which denotes chronological time. Kairos implies a divinely appointed moment, God's perfect timing, which may not align with human expectations or immediate desires. This word underscores the promise that God's exaltation is certain, but its manifestation is entirely within His wise and sovereign schedule.
Verse Breakdown
"Humble yourselves therefore"
This is an imperative command, urging believers to take an active posture of humility. The "therefore" (G3767, oûn) connects this universal call to the preceding specific exhortations for elders and younger members, indicating that humility is a virtue required of all in the community, foundational to their relationships with each other and with God. It implies a conscious, volitional act of self-abasement before God.
"under the mighty hand of God"
This phrase identifies the object of their humility. It is not merely a general humility, but a specific submission to God's sovereign power and control. The "mighty hand" is a powerful Old Testament idiom for God's active intervention, power, and deliverance (e.g., Exodus 13:3). It signifies that God is actively at work, even in the midst of suffering, and that His power is absolute and irresistible. To humble oneself under this hand is to acknowledge His ultimate authority and trust in His protective and redemptive purposes.
"that he may exalt you in due time"
This clause presents the divine purpose and promise for those who humble themselves. The "that" (G2443, hína) introduces a purpose clause. God's exaltation is a certain outcome, but it is contingent upon His perfect timing (kairós). This exaltation may manifest in various ways: vindication, spiritual growth, peace, or ultimately, glorification in eternity. It assures believers that their suffering and submission are not unnoticed or in vain, and that God will honor their faithfulness in His own perfect way and time, not necessarily according to human expectations of immediate worldly success.
Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices. Imagery is prominent in "the mighty hand of God," evoking a powerful, active, and protective divine presence, drawing on rich Old Testament associations with God's deliverance and sovereignty. The structure of the verse itself presents a clear cause-and-effect relationship: humility (cause) leads to exaltation (effect). This is framed as a divine promise, offering hope and encouragement amidst adversity. Furthermore, the use of the imperative mood ("Humble yourselves") underscores the command nature of the instruction, making it an active call to action rather than a passive suggestion. The phrase "in due time" functions as a form of ellipsis or implied promise, suggesting that while the exaltation is certain, its specific timing and form are left to God's wise discretion.
Theological and Thematic Connections
This verse profoundly connects to the broader biblical theology of humility as a prerequisite for divine favor and exaltation. It underscores God's sovereign control over all circumstances, including suffering, and His commitment to His people. The concept of God's "mighty hand" is a consistent theme throughout Scripture, signifying His power to deliver, judge, and sustain. The promise of exaltation "in due time" aligns with the eschatological hope found in both Old and New Testaments, where ultimate vindication and glorification await the faithful. It teaches that true spiritual progress often involves a season of humbling, which God uses for purification and preparation for greater blessing and service. This divine principle counters human tendencies towards self-reliance and pride, redirecting focus to God's ultimate authority and perfect plan.
Reflection and Application
For the modern believer, 1 Peter 5:6 offers profound guidance for navigating life's challenges, especially when faced with adversity or injustice. It calls us to resist the natural human inclination to assert ourselves, to seek immediate vindication, or to despair when circumstances are beyond our control. Instead, it directs us to a posture of active, willing submission to God's sovereign will, trusting that even in the most difficult seasons, His "mighty hand" is at work, orchestrating events for our ultimate good and His glory. This humility is not weakness, but a profound strength rooted in dependence on an all-powerful God. It cultivates patience, reminding us that God's timing is perfect, and His exaltation of us, whether in this life or the next, will come at the opportune moment. Embracing this truth frees us from anxiety and empowers us to live with hope, knowing that our ultimate vindication and reward come from God alone.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does it mean to "humble yourselves"?
To "humble yourselves" (Greek: tapeinóō) means to willingly adopt a low posture before God, recognizing your dependence on Him and submitting to His authority and will. It's an active choice to relinquish self-reliance, pride, and the desire for control, acknowledging that God is sovereign over all circumstances, including your suffering. It's about allowing God to work in your life, even if it means enduring difficult or humbling experiences, trusting that His purposes are good.
Does "exalt you in due time" mean God will make me rich or famous?
Not necessarily. The "exaltation" promised in 1 Peter 5:6 is primarily spiritual and eschatological, though it can include earthly vindication. It refers to God lifting you up, which might involve spiritual growth, inner peace, vindication in the eyes of others, or ultimately, glorification in eternity. It's about God honoring your faithfulness and submission, ensuring that your suffering is not in vain. This exaltation is not guaranteed to be worldly success or material wealth, but rather a divine recognition and reward that aligns with God's eternal purposes for His children.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
First Peter 5:6 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ Himself. While the verse commands believers to humble themselves, Jesus perfectly exemplified this principle. The Apostle Paul beautifully articulates this in Philippians 2:5-11, where Christ, "being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." This radical self-humiliation of the Son of God, submitting to the will of the Father even to the point of a shameful death, is the supreme act of humility "under the mighty hand of God." Consequently, as the verse promises, God "hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name" (Philippians 2:9). Believers are called to follow Christ's pattern; our humility is not merely an ethical virtue but a participation in the humble obedience of Christ, which leads to our own future exaltation and glorification with Him. Our "due time" for exaltation is inextricably linked to Christ's own journey from humiliation to glory, ensuring that those who are "in Christ" will share in His ultimate triumph and reign (Romans 8:17, Colossians 3:4).