5 You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
We had this discussion in the chat room earlier today. Well meaning and loving Christians who are young seem to forget this command to them. Doesn't matter what your elder believes or says, this is commanded of you, young men and women. And, this has been the source for many disputes. Should not be.
TheDoctor394: Bear in mind, this verse is most likely referring specifically to officially appointed elders/leaders of churches, not just someone who might be older than someone else.
prairwarur: Thank you for this! I have heard the scholars discuss this passage and the varying train of thought. As for me, this is how I was raised, The Doctor. This is ingrained in me by two godly people who served the Lord in humility all of their long lives. We were taught to not even call an adult by their first name, no matter who they were. We greeted them and spoke to them, saying, "Mr., Mrs. or Miss." I feel this Scripture is written for me and mine and this is the way my children were taught. We've walked in humility so far, respecting our elders, and our brothers and sisters. It is a very good way to be, Sir, and a practice that may benefit us all in life.
Other people will choose their own walk in life, their own meanings,
TheDoctor394: I certainly agree that it is good to have respect for those older than us in various walks of life. They've been around longer, they could have much more knowledge then those younger, and have had more time to learn. What "respect" means, of course, varies from person to person, but I certainly acknowledge that there should be some kind of general courtesy for people who are senior.
However, I don't think this passage really addresses that. Verses 1-3 of chapter 5 states, "To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock."
Now, I could not say that I am under the care of any other Christian simply because they're older than me, anymore than I would expect a younger Christian to see me that way. Surely this is referring to a church setting, whether that be one specific church, or possibly a collection of churches, since it would be certain that Peter's letter here was sent around to different churches.
Jeremiah Resurrected: I also agree yes you're supposed to respect your elders you're supposed to say yes ma'am yes sir no no ma'am and no sir and also you're supposed to call your elders the last name like. Mrs. Or Miss that's the problem with the young people today have no respect for their elders
5 You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
We had this discussion in the chat room earlier today. Well meaning and loving Christians who are young seem to forget this command to them. Doesn't matter what your elder believes or says, this is commanded of you, young men and women. And, this has been the source for many disputes. Should not be.
Shalom
The focus of the passage does suggest that.
As for me, this is how I was raised, The Doctor. This is ingrained in me by two godly people who served the Lord in humility all of their long lives. We were taught to not even call an adult by their first name, no matter who they were. We greeted them and spoke to them, saying, "Mr., Mrs. or Miss."
I feel this Scripture is written for me and mine and this is the way my children were taught. We've walked in humility so far, respecting our elders, and our brothers and sisters.
It is a very good way to be, Sir, and a practice that may benefit us all in life.
Other people will choose their own walk in life, their own meanings,
Shalom and God bless,
Prair
However, I don't think this passage really addresses that. Verses 1-3 of chapter 5 states, "To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock."
Now, I could not say that I am under the care of any other Christian simply because they're older than me, anymore than I would expect a younger Christian to see me that way. Surely this is referring to a church setting, whether that be one specific church, or possibly a collection of churches, since it would be certain that Peter's letter here was sent around to different churches.