In 1 Peter 5:6, after telling readers to submit to elders, the Apostle Peter then commands them, “Humble yourselves….” In other words, have an accurate view of self that recognizes weaknesses and that does not act arrogantly toward others. The command has only one word, which is a form of the verb tapeinoĊ. The way Peter writes the verb communicates much about the effects that emerge from one’s embrace of the gospel and the subsequent transformation. In the following I show how.
1. Humble Yourselves As Needed
The verb is in the aorist tense. Sometimes, as most likely here, this tense communicates an axiom. It is something that a person should do as needed, as for example when one has forgotten the need of humility and needs to come back to it.
2. Humble Yourselves By God’s Grace
The verb is in the passive voice. Voice, in Greek reveals the relationship of the person under consideration to the action. The passive suggests action that comes from outside the person or we could put it this way, action that is empowered by someone else. That someone is God (see the foundation Peter lays in 1 Peter 1:1-2:25). A literal translation would be, “Be humbled.” It is only by God’s grace that comes through the gospel that a person can be humble.
3. Be Responsible To Humble Yourselves
Even though we have already seen that a person can be humble only by God’s grace and empowerment, nevertheless, they are commanded to be humble. The verb is in the imperative mood. Mood in Greek communicates the relationship of the verb to reality. Here it is not something that was happening, is in the process of happening, or might happen. It is something that is commanded to happen.
The way God works is to provide commands to us like this one and the way he empowers us is to work on the will to give the desire to respond (see Phil. 2:12-13). This, then is the heart of the gospel’s effects on believers. Whatever ethical action is under consideration, we ought to obey, but can obey only because we have been transformed and empowered by Christ’s Saving work and the indwelling of the Spirit. We are to be what Christ has already made us to be and do.
Conclusion
What we see in this one word is a synopsis of what the New Testament teaches from beginning to end: The Christian life is about what Christ has done for us and our living out the new life he commands of us as a result of his gracious, empowering, saving work.
Joyfully Living Out The Effects Of The Gospel With You,
Tom
