1 Peter 5:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

NIV: Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

NASB: So resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brothers and sisters who are in the world.

CSB: Resist him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.

NLT: Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.

KJV: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

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

In the previous verse, Peter urged his Christian readers to be sober-minded and alert because our enemy is after us. That enemy is the devil—Satan—and his agenda is to "devour" Christians. His intent is to cause real and lasting harm to us and, especially, to weaken our trust in the Father. Here, Peter tells us how to respond to the reality of the devil.

First, we can and should resist Satan. When the battle comes, fight back. This language is striking because Peter has repeatedly told believers to submit to those in authority. This even includes kings and governors who were part of the system of persecution so many Christians would face. He has written that slaves should submit to masters and wives to husbands—not based on that person's worthiness but out of submission to God. But when it comes to the devil, Peter's command is to do the exact opposite of "submission." We must say no. We must fight.

How? By standing firm in our faith. From the snake's first conversation with Eve, to Satan's temptations of Jesus in the wilderness, the devil has always sought to undermine our trust in the God of heaven. His goal is to weaken our dependence on the Father who loves us and is strong to meet our needs.

Satan may make use of persecution to accomplish this. Peter writes that many in the world at the time were facing the same kind of suffering. Many continue to do so. The devil may attack our faith in other ways, as well, but the strategy for fighting back stays the same: Trust God more; increase our reliance on Him. Say "no" to the devil and "yes" to the Father.

1 Peter 5:1–11 gives specific instructions to elders about how to lead the flock of God willingly, eagerly, and by their own example. All of us must live in humility toward each other and toward God, who opposes the proud. In humility, we cast our anxieties on the Father who cares for us. In alertness, we are to remain clear-minded, looking out for our enemy the devil who seeks to destroy us. We resist him by focusing on staying firm in our faith and trusting God to keep His promises.

Peter concludes his letter to the scattered Christians in Asia Minor with specific instructions. Primarily, these are targeted at those in the role of elder, about how to lead. He also provides counsel for all believers on living in humility toward each other and toward God. In humility, we wait and trust God to exalt us in His time. In humility, we cast our cares on Him. But we’re also called to remain alert, watching out for the devil and resisting him by focusing on staying firm in our faith. After this brief life of suffering, our God will bring our suffering to an end and make us strong forever.

Thus far, Peter has affirmed that Christians have been chosen by God and set aside for His purposes. We should not be surprised by suffering, and we should not respond to persecution by rebelling against our human authorities. Our suffering in both cases points the world to our hope in Christ and allows us to follow in Jesus’ steps. Peter here concludes his letter with instructions to the elders, teaching on humility, and a final warning to be sober-minded and alert.

Some 30 years after the resurrection of Jesus, Christians are facing greater persecution for their faith. How should they respond? How should we respond to suffering today? The apostle Peter writes this letter both to comfort believers and to encourage them to stay strong. He urges them to put all their hope in their perfect future with Christ, and to obey and trust Him in the present, even in their suffering. Christ suffered greatly; now the Christ-followers have the opportunity to follow Him even in this, showing His grace and power in their hopefulness, obedience, and faith.