I Peter Chapter 5 {Message to Pastors then Congregations follow} 1~~ To the elders {pastor/teachers of the various churches} among you, I encourage you as a fellow elder and a judicial witness of the sufferings of Christ   {Peter was an actual witness to the crucifixion}, and also a partner in the glory that is about to be revealed: {Note: Peter knows the disaster about to befall on these people - many of whom will die in the next year. These verses tell the Pastor-teachers what to do in times of adversity.} 2~~Feed the flock of God among you . . . not under compulsion, but voluntarily according to the grace of God . . . not from gains, but from enthusiasm. 3~~ Not so much as being bullies over the allotment {pastor's right share of God's sheep}, but become a 'soul mold' {an example} to the flock. 4~~ And when the chief Shepherd {the Lord Jesus} shall appear {rapture}, you shall receive the Crown of Unfading Glory. {Note: This is the special wreath reward for pastors who bring their congregations along to spiritual maturity.} {Verses 5-11: The Functions of the Congregation} 5~~ Likewise, in a similar manner, you congregation, become subordinate to the authority of your Pastor-elders   {one per local Church, in Greek this is shown as a plural}. And, all of you dress {conduct} yourselves with humility toward one another, and YOU MUST!!! Because God makes war on the arrogant believer, but He gives Grace to the humble believer. 6-7~~ Having caste all your care on Him {Christ}, it keeps on being a care to Him {His responsibility}, you allow yourselves therefore to be humbled under the mighty hand of God that He might promote you {move up in your spiritual life}. {Note: If God does not promote you, you are not promoted!} 8~~ Attain spiritual self esteem . . . be on the alert . . . your enemy - the devil - prowls around like a roaring lion, walks about, looking for someone to devour. {Note: The devil will gobble up carnal believers - without Bible doctrine metabolized in their soul}. 9~~ Whom resist - steadfast in The Faith {'what is believed' - doctrine} - knowing that the same undeserved sufferings are endured in your brethren - to your advantage - that are in the cosmos/world   {here the 'Roman World' is about to face great persecution}. 10~~ But The God of all grace   {God the Father - author of the Plan in eternity past}, Who has called us {election} unto His eternal glory {phase III} in Christ Jesus . . . {believers} after having suffered a little while   {after suffering, you must do the following 4 things}: mend your broken net   {fisherman's idiom - suffering tests the strength of our nets,   grace mends the nets of our lives}, be mentally stable, depart strength, and establish an unwavering foundation in you. {Note: Grace makes you spiritually self-sustaining.} 11~~To Him {dative of dignity}, the RULING POWER from the ages to the ages {forever and ever}. 'I BELIEVE IT'/Amen! {Postscript - like a signature - in Peter's own handwriting here} 12~~ Through Silvanus, the faithful brother unto you . . . I know I have written a few words . . . encouraging . . . and carrying a solemn witness . . . that this keeps on being the true grace from God . . . in which . . . STAND FAST! 13~~Those in Babylon {Peter is in Babylon here - Rome} . . . elected together with you . . . salute you . . . and so does Marcus my son/student {John Mark}. {Note: In case this letter was intercepted, they would NOT easily know where Peter was writing from so the new 'Babylon' was used.} {SideNote: Just as Silvanus penned the words to most of this epistle for Peter, we may now assume that John Mark may have penned the Gospel of Mark under the guidance of Peter who actually experienced with Jesus what is described in 'Mark'. } 14~~Greet you one another of the same kind with a kiss of agape love. Peace {results of agape love - inner happiness} belongs to you - to your advantage - and to all that are in Christ Jesus. 'I BELIEVE IT!'/Amen.