In which the apostle gives particular directions, first to the elders, how to behave themselves towards their flock ; then to the younger, to be obedient and humble, and to cast their care upon God, 1 Pet. 5:5–7.

Here we may observe, I. The persons to whom this exhortation is given—to the presbyters, pastors, and spiritual guides of the church, elders by office, rather than by age, ministers of those churches to whom he wrote this epistle. II.

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.

Here the apostle does three things:— I. He shows them their danger from an enemy more cruel and restless than even the worst of men, whom he describes, 1. By his characters and names.

We come now to the conclusion of this epistle, which, I. The apostle begins with a most weighty prayer, which he addresses to God as the God of all grace, the author and finisher of every heavenly gift and quality, acknowledging, on their behalf, that God had already called them to be partakers of…