ISB ~ 1 Peter 5 v1

the elders:The shepherds of the local Churches addressed by Peter (1:1). Their pastoral authority to guide, instruct, and protect the flock under their care is derived from the supreme pastoral authority of Christ the “chief Shepherd” (5:4; Acts 20:28-32). And because they stand accountable for the welfare of the Lord’s sheep, Peter warns them not to misuse their authority grudgingly, greedily, or oppressively (5:2-3). In modern terms, the elder is equivalent to a “presbyter” or “priest” (CCC 1551, 1567).

See word study:Elders at Jas 5:14.

fellow elder:Peter shares in the grace of pastoral ministry that is possessed by the clergymen he is addressing. This does not imply, as some have claimed, that Peter saw himself on the same level as these local pastors, as though he possessed no special authority over them. This is a misunderstanding. At the very least, Peter was numbered among the apostles, who were designated “first” in authority over the Church (1 Cor 12:28). Not only that, but Peter held the distinction of being “first” in relation to the twelve apostles hand-picked by Jesus (Mt 10:2). Evidence for Peter’s headship over the Church has a clear and solid basis in the NT, for he alone was singled out to wield “the keys of the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 16:19) and to tend the entire flock of Christ’s “sheep” (Jn 21:15-17).

See essay:Peter, Prince of the Apostles at Acts 2.

a witness:Means both that Peter witnessed some of Christ’s sufferings and that he bears witness to them when he preaches the gospel (Acts 5:29-30; 10:34-43).