What does 1 Peter 5:6-11 mean?

1 Peter 5:6 Direct teaching

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,

Origen, Against Celsus Direct teaching

and ignorant, moreover, that we give the injunction, Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time;

Origen, Against Celsus Supporting witness

But he who is of humble mind in the sense of the prophet, while walking in great and wonderful things, which are above his capacity — viz., those doctrines that are truly great, and those thoughts that are wonderful — humbles himself under the mighty hand of God.

Ignatius, The Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians (Short Version) Supporting witness

For it is written, “God resisteth the proud.” Let us be careful, then, not to set ourselves in opposition to the bishop, in order that we may be subject to God.

Clement of Rome, First Epistle to the Corinthians Supporting witness

let them learn of how great avail humility is with God—how much the spirit of pure affection can prevail with Him—how excellent and great His fear is, and how it saves all those who walk in it with a pure mind.

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness

And again: 'I am smoke from a pot.' For God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5

Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor (Paedagogus) Supporting witness

Isaiah 5:20-21 For he that humbles himself shall be exalted, and he that exalts himself shall be humbled.

Ignatius, Epistle to the Magnesians (Long Version) Supporting witness

And David says, “Who am I before Thee, O Lord, that Thou hast glorified me hitherto?” And Moses, who was “the meekest of all men,” saith to God, “I am of a feeble voice, and of a slow tongue.” Be ye therefore also of a humble spirit, that ye may be exalted;

1 Peter 5:7 Direct teaching

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Hermas, Connection to 1 Peter 5:7 Supporting witness

because you cast your care on God, and opened your heart to the Lord... Cast your cares upon the Lord, and He will direct them.

Psalms 55:22 Supporting witness

Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Philippians 4:6 Supporting witness

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Psalms 62:8 Supporting witness

Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.

Psalms 56:11 Supporting witness

In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.

Job 5:8 Supporting witness

I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause:

Ecclesiastes 11:1 Supporting witness

Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.

Psalms 141:8 Supporting witness

But mine eyes are unto thee, O GOD the Lord: in thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute.

1 Peter 5:8 Direct teaching

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Tertullian, De Anima (On the Soul) Supporting witness

Then, again, should you be disposed to apply the term adversary to the devil, you are advised by the (Lord's) injunction, while you are in the way with him, to make even with him such a compact as may be deemed compatible with the requirements of your true faith.

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

And as he who humbles himself shall be exalted, Luke 14:11 now is the time when they should rather fear the ensnaring adversary, who more eagerly attacks the man that is strongest, and becoming more virulent, for the very reason that he is conquered, strives to overcome his conqueror.

Justin Martyr, On the Resurrection, Fragments Supporting witness

But since the adversary does not cease to resist many, and uses many and divers arts to ensnare them, that he may seduce the faithful from their faith, and that he may prevent the faithless from believing, it seems to me necessary that we also, being armed with the invulnerable doctrines of the faith, do battle against him in behalf of the weak.

Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness

because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, goes about seeking any one to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

Tertullian, De Anima (On the Soul) Supporting witness

Now these are the supreme powers: according to our (Christian) notions, they are the Lord God and His adversary the devil;

Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Supporting witness

...f facts and causes that brought in the names Nature and Fortune. But just as they do not know their adversary, so they also do not truly know virtue, the knowledge of which comes from the idea of an adversary. And if this is joined with wisdom, or, as they say, is itself also wisdom, they must be ignorant of the matters in which it is found. For no one can possibly be equipped with true weapons if he does not know the enemy against whom he must be armed. Nor can a man defeat his adversary if, in the fight, he attacks not his real enemy, but a shadow. For he will be struck down if, while his attention is fixed on something else, he has not first seen or guarded against the blow aimed at his vital parts.

Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness

...e first understands the use and skill of his abilities. The one against whom we fight is an ancient adversary and an old enemy. Nearly six thousand years have now been completed since the devil first attacked man. By the practice of so many years, he has learned every kind of temptation, trick, and snare for man's overthrow. If he finds Christ's soldier unprepared, unskilled, or not careful and watchful with his whole heart, he outmaneuvers him when he is ignorant, deceives him when he is careless, and cheats him when he is inexperienced. But if a man keeps the Lord's commands and bravely holds fast to Christ and stands against him, the devil must be conquered, because Christ, whom that man confesses, is unconquered.

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness

... of your Father who is in heaven,” pointing to likeness to God. Again, it is said, “Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him,” Matthew 5:25. The adversary is not the body, as some would have it, but the devil, and those who have become like him, who walk along with us in the persons of men, imitating his deeds in this earthly life. It is inevitable, then, that those who confess that they belong to Christ, but find themselves in the midst of the devil’s works, suffer the most hostile treatment. For it is written, “lest he deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officers” of Satan’s kingdom. For I am persuaded that neither death, through the assault of persecutors, nor life in this world, nor angels, the apostate ones, nor powers—and Satan’s power is the life that he chose, for such are the powers and principalities of darkness belonging to him—nor things present, among which we exist during the time of life, such as the hope held by the soldier and the merchant’s gain, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, because of the activity proper to a man, opposes the faith of him who acts according to free choice. “Creature” is anoth

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

...atever is sought together by all at the same time, the God of peace will grant to the peaceful. The adversary had rushed out to throw the camp of Christ into confusion by violent terror. But with the same force with which he had come, he was driven back and conquered. And as much fear and terror as he had brought, he also found just as much bravery and strength. He had thought that he could once again overthrow the servants of God and shake them in his usual way, as if they were beginners and inexperienced, as if they were little prepared and not very watchful. He attacked one person first, as a wolf tries to separate a sheep from the flock, or as a hawk separates a dove from the flying group. For he who does not have enough strength against everyone tries to gain an advantage from the isolation of individuals. But when he was beaten back by both the faith and the strength of the united army, he realized that the soldiers of Christ are now watchful, and stand sober and armed for battle. They cannot be conquered, though they can die. And by this very fact they are invincible, because they do not fear death. They do not attack back those who attack them, since it is not lawful eve

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

...is supplicants from the dominion of the adversary. May He who rebuked the legion of demons, and the devil, the prince of wickedness, Mark 5:9; Zechariah 3:2, even now rebuke these apostates from piety, and deliver His own workmanship from his power, and cleanse those creatures whom He has made with great wisdom. Let us still pray earnestly for them. Save them, O God, and raise them up by Your power. Bow down your heads, you energumens, and receive the blessings. And let the bishop add this prayer, and say:

1 Peter 5:9 Direct teaching

Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

1 Peter 5:10 Direct teaching

But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

Cyprian, Treatises Direct teaching

Romans 5:2-5 And Peter, in his epistle, lays it down, and says: Beloved, be not surprised at the fiery heat which falls upon you, which happens for your trial;

Peter of Alexandria, Canonical Epistle Supporting witness

Whereupon they being inflamed, that is, tired in heart, endeavoured to subdue the adversary that was hostile to them, that he might not, as a victor, exult over the godly.

Peter of Alexandria, Canonical Epistle Supporting witness

It is to be so taken, either that they have been left undisturbed, so far as the denial of the faith is concerned, which overcomes all evil, or he means the afflictions of persecutions.

Peter of Alexandria, Canonical Epistle Supporting witness

wherefore being inwardly inflamed, and with hearts enkindled, as hearing that they by this means should war down and subdue the proud adversary the devil, were eager to undergo martyrdom lest the the devil should boast and seem to be wise in his own conceit, as having by his subtlety and malice overcome those who of their own accord sought martyrdom: even though it escaped him that he was rather overcome by those combatants who bravely withstood the torments.

Peter of Alexandria, Canonical Epistle Supporting witness

for this they earnestly contended, that he might not seem to be wise in his own conceit, Romans 12:16 on account of those things in which by reason of his subtlety they appeared to be inferior to him, even though it escaped his observation that he was overcome by those who with constancy endured the torments of the lash and scourge, and the sharp edge of the sword, the burning in the fire, and the immersion in the water.

Peter of Alexandria, Canonical Epistle Supporting witness

...s especially so when they saw some people being drawn away, that is, led astray and deceived by the devil, and falling away or denying godliness. Therefore they were inwardly set on fire, and their hearts were burning, because they heard that in this way they would battle against and defeat the proud enemy, the devil. They were eager to undergo martyrdom so that the devil might not boast or think himself wise, as if by his craft and malice he had overcome those who willingly sought martyrdom. Yet he did not realize that he himself was rather defeated by those fighters who bravely endured the torments. Therefore it is right to agree with this, which has also been decreed, for the faithful who pray for those who are suffering punishment and are distressed by it. And it cannot be harmful in any way to share in the grief and suffering of the parents or other relatives on behalf of those who have given their testimony and undergone martyrdom, but have fallen away through the devil's tricks and snares. For we know that many have received the goodness and compassion of God through the prayers of others. Therefore we will pray for them, that God may grant them forgiveness of their sins.

Tertullian, Scorpiace Supporting witness

...hild; and children will rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death," He has clearly announced, with reference to the others, this kind of unrighteous conduct, which we do not find shown in the case of the apostles. For none of them experienced a father or a brother as a betrayer, which very many of us have. Then He returns to the apostles: "And you will be hated by all men for my name's sake." How much more will this be true of us, for whom there is the necessity of being handed over even by parents. Thus, by assigning this very betrayal now to the apostles, now to all, He pours out the same destruction on all the possessors of the name, on whom the name will rest together with the condition that it is an object of hatred. "But he who will endure to the end, this man will be saved." By enduring what, if not persecution, betrayal, and death? For to endure to the end is nothing else than to suffer the end. And therefore there immediately follow the words, "The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his own lord." Because, since the Master and Lord Himself stood firm in suffering persecution, betrayal, and death, much more it will be the duty

Tertullian, De Fuga in Persecutione Supporting witness

2. If, because injustice is not from God, but from the devil, and persecution consists of injustice—for what is more unjust than that the bishops of the true God, and all the followers of the truth, should be treated in the manner of the vilest criminals?—persecution therefore seems to proceed from the devil, by whom the injustice that makes up persecution is carried out, we ought to know this: just as you do not have persecution without the devil's injustice, so you do not have the trial of faith without persecution. The injustice necessary for the trial of faith does not give a warrant for persecution, but supplies an agency. In reality, in reference to the trial of faith, which is the reason for persecution, the will of God goes first. But as the instrument of persecution, which is the way of trial, the injustice of the devil follows. For in other respects too, injustice, in proportion to the enmity it shows against righteousness, gives occasion for attestations of that to which it is opposed as an enemy, so that righteousness may be perfected in injustice, as strength is perfected in weakness. For the weak things of the world have been chosen by God to confound the strong, and

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book IV Supporting witness

...heaven belongs to "the violent," and He says, "The violent take it by force," meaning those who are vigilant and strive earnestly to seize it at once. Similarly, Paul the Apostle tells the Corinthians, "Don't you know that those who run in a race all indeed run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things: they do it to receive a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible one. I run in this way, not without aim; I fight, not like someone beating the air; but I discipline my body and bring it under control, lest after preaching to others, I myself should become disqualified." This skilled wrestler, therefore, encourages us in the struggle for immortality, so that we may be crowned and value the crown, which is achieved through our effort and doesn't come to us on its own. The harder we strive, the more valuable it becomes; and the more valuable it is, the more we should cherish it. Things that are attained through much careful effort are valued more highly than those that come easily. Since this power has been given to us, the Lord has taught and the apostle has instructed us to