I Peter 5, Shepherds Under a Shepherd

Peter continues to give advice regarding persecution.

1 Peter 5: 1-5, Shepherds representing the one true Shepherd

To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving  as overseers--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace  to the humble."

Peter makes an appeal to other elders as a fellow elder, not as an "apostle" or head of the church.

The quote in verse 5 is from Proverbs 3:34.

1 Peter 5: 6-7, Humble and dependent on God
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Humility and trust are important characteristics of followers of the Good Shepherd.

1 Peter 5: 8-9, Alert and ready
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

This is similar to a statement of James in James 4:7.

1 Peter 5: 10-11, Eternal glory, short suffering
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Everyone enduring persecution relies on promises like this, that their suffering is "short" and is part of an eternal plan, with God still active overall.

1 Peter 5: 1-5, Greetings and final blessing
With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in  it.

She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

In verse 12 the Greek Silvanus is a variant of Silas.  Silas possibly wrote the letter under the guidance of Peter.  Mark is probably John Mark.

Where is Babylon?  Possibly Rome, the home of Nero, the one providing the current persecution? It is apparently clear to the readers but is not named here.

There are similar questions about "She" -- who is the woman described here? Two reasonable suggestions from two thousand years later: (1) This could be the church in Rome, since the church was identified by Paul as the bride of Christ or (2) this could be Peter's wife, who traveled with him. Either way, the readers of the letter don't need a description.