1 Peter 5:5, commentary and pictures

Younger believers are to submit to those older in experience, and all believers are to be subject to one another and deliberately put on humility as a garment worn at every step. God opposes the proud and self-sufficient but gives grace and rich supply to the humble who bow under His mighty hand, entrust their cares to Him, and wait for Him to exalt them in due time. Those placed in charge must not dominate as lords over others but guide as patient examples, for no leader is infallible or to be put in the place of God. Humble mutual submission preserves unity and effective action by seeking, giving, and heeding counsel together rather than insisting on one's own judgment or standing apart in independence. True humility shows in lowliness of mind, teachableness, kindness, and willing service to others, without seeking display, prominence, supremacy, or mastery over fellow workers.

Submission and Its Terms

Likewise the younger are to submit themselves to the elder, and all are to be subject one to another and clothed with humility, for God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. Younger members are to follow the example of Christlike humility set by their elders, and younger workers and canvassers are to submit to those who are older. Humble, mutual submission supports unity, harmony and efficiency in the church and among God's workers, avoiding both coercive authority and unsanctified independence. Humbling oneself under God's mighty hand and casting cares on Him because He cares leads to His exalting in due time, with sober watchfulness against the devil, steadfast resistance in faith, remembrance that fellow believers endure the same afflictions, and trust that after suffering awhile God who calls to eternal glory through Christ will perfect, establish, strengthen and settle.

Elder means those older in experience, especially those who have had long experience in the work of the third angel's message. Such experienced ones are to be highly respected and esteemed, valued as wise counselors and not as rulers, sought for counsel so that youthful enthusiasm is directed into right channels rather than discouraged. The church is to be ruled not by official authority but by personal, Christlike influence and humility, with leaders and planners doing their work under the view and directions of the great chief Shepherd, refusing to bind about the work when facilities seem lacking, and advising in kindness and interest.

Being subject one to another includes recognizing the authority held by the gathered body of believers united in church fellowship. It means seeking counsel and joining with fellow believers to seek God's wisdom when important decisions arise.

Being clothed with humility means humility is to be deliberately put on and worn like a garment, robe or inward adornment. It is required at every step toward heaven and is a true sign of excellence of spirit, by which those who humble themselves will be exalted. God's worker must wear it as a teachable, truth-loving character that is natural and not merely professed, as seen when exceptional privilege and honor are accompanied by concealing one's own good deeds and avoiding drawing attention to self. Young people need it as a meek and quiet spirit when judging character and choosing close friendships, letting religion guide affections so appearances do not mislead. Worn in active communion with Christ, it leads to respecting one another, speaking with kindness and tenderness, refraining from tearing down another worker's efforts or acting as a dictator, and correcting in meekness by praying and talking with a brother and examining and correcting one's own faults rather than presuming to punish others.

Humility Before God

God stands against the proud and the self-sufficient, yet He gives grace and rich supply to the humble, so humility is the way to receive His grace. Younger believers are to submit to elders and all believers are to be subject to one another, putting on humility as a garment worn in mutual service. Humble mutual submission upholds unity, harmony, and efficiency in the church, avoiding both coercive authority and unsanctified independence. Following the example of Christlike humility is required of all members, younger and older alike.

Humbling oneself under God's mighty hand and casting cares upon Him because He cares leads to His exalting the humble in due time. Those called to bear God's message exalt the message and not self, walking humbly with God day by day under the guidance of the Great Shepherd as faithful caretakers worthy of responsibility. Self-uplifting produces a character God cannot approve, while humility under His mighty hand brings exaltation at the right time. Believers are to trust His timing for their exaltation rather than trusting in man or making flesh their arm, for the Lord alone is to be trusted and followed.

The same setting calls believers to remain sober and watchful against the devil, to resist him steadfastly in faith, and to remember that fellow believers endure the same afflictions. This demand calls for self-denial, continual watchfulness, prayer, and lifelong untiring effort to overcome as Christ overcame. After suffering for a while, God, who calls believers to eternal glory through Christ, will perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle them. Those who humble themselves before God, live with solemn care in words and actions, and faithfully endure spiritual conflict and soul-winning witness are specially remembered by Him.

Humility is the terms on which heaven is given, for only in humility can God accept followers of Christ. Christ clothed His divinity with humanity, joining divinity with humanity, that humanity might reach humanity and that people might become partakers of the divine nature and overcome the temptations in the world through lust. Shepherds who share in the divine nature show genuine humility, remain content in the place God gives them, stand faithfully at their post of duty, and join earnest work for humanity as laborers together with God to wrench men and women from Satan's grasp so none perish. Outward displays of devotion do not make the proud acceptable to God, as shown by the Pharisees who exalted themselves and sought respect through appearance while their lives opposed God's law. Their lack of humility and genuine love for God and neighbor showed they did not share Abraham's faith and piety or have a claim to his promises.

Leadership Without Domination

Those set in charge, including elders, conference presidents, and ministers, are not to be lords over God's heritage but examples to the flock. They are not to be harsh, severe, critical, overbearing, domineering rulers, but to guide by patient example and deal tenderly and carefully with imperfect people who need training and discipline. Loving to rule and uplifting self works out the natural result of a character God cannot approve, while humble submission brings grace and divine cooperation so that work and teaching are done in Christ's way rather than in weak human ability. No one man's mind and judgment is to be a controlling power.

The office of president does not confer infallibility, for he remains human and fallible and will often need counsel from his brethren. He is not to be placed where God should be, nor to require to be consulted in every particular, nor to feel injured when work is carried forward without him. He is not to decide for workers their course of action and their message, nor to lay his hand upon them to hinder them, but workers are to be left to act on their own judgment under Christ as Captain, looking to Him and using the wisdom God gave them. If a worker is thought to be in error, he is not to be condemned or criticized on another's story until seen or talked with personally, and great care is to be used in censuring ministers who in trying circumstances or emergency exercised the best judgment they had.

In whatever position he stands, no man is to teach his fellow men to look to him for wisdom, to take God's place, or to lead them to put trust in man and make flesh their arm. The Lord alone is to be trusted, looked to for guidance, and followed when His counsel is received, and no human being is to be taken as criterion or perfect guide. Being subject one to another means counseling together humbly and allowing opinions to be questioned, while each person exercises the ability God has given to seek truth personally, refuses to rely on any man to think for him, and seeks divine enlightenment from God. Ministers must not assume they alone know what is needed nor seek mastery and high position. Leaders are to do their work under the great chief Shepherd, encourage members, recognize the work entrusted to them, and serve together, bringing plans affecting God's work before an experienced council so that no one person controls the work and no one leader's voice dominates when important questions are settled.

Unity and Mutual Counsel

Humble mutual submission is the way to unity, harmony and efficiency in the church, producing fellowship, confidence and united action rather than coercive authority on one side or unsanctified independence on the other. The younger are to submit to the elder and all are to be subject to one another, clothed with humility, for God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble. This means God's workers depend on one another for help in their different callings and value those blessed with experience as wise counselors. It sets aside strife and self-importance to value others, care for their interests, and prefer one another in love and honor with the mind of Christ, so that believers heed warnings and help protect one another from danger. Those who seek distinction above their fellows are to learn from Christ who humbled Himself for them, and such humility fosters simplicity and spiritual power that strengthens the witness to the world.

Mutual submission is practiced by humbly seeking, giving and following counsel, so that one person's lack is supplied by another's sufficiency. Those who lack sound judgment or experience are especially to seek and accept counsel from their brethren instead of relying stubbornly on their own judgment, and those in difficulty who humbly seek counsel and do their best should receive help from their able brethren, while refusing counsel and choosing their own course leaves them to learn through its consequences. The church is to be ruled not by official authority but by personal, Christlike influence and humility, with younger workers remaining subject to those of long experience, seeking them for counsel so enthusiasm is directed into right channels rather than discouraged. Leaders and planners do their work under the great chief Shepherd, refusing to bind about the work when facilities seem lacking, and advising in kindness and interest, for God gives grace to the humble who serve in this way while He resists the proud. This humility is shown in learning from experienced leaders and accepting the gifts God has placed in the church without jealousy, stubbornness, complaint or censure, since seeking an independent position in order to lead and be exalted leads by blind judgment into error.

Humility includes respecting the counsel and collective discernment of the church rather than insisting on one's own feelings and judgment, so that the church's collective discernment guides its individual members. In decisions affecting God's work this means yielding when appropriate, valuing the devotion and judgment of others, and bringing plans before an experienced council so that no one person controls the work and efforts can remain harmonious. Being subject to one another means counseling together and allowing opinions to be questioned instead of becoming set in ideas and thinking no one should interfere. At the same time each person must use the ability God has given to seek truth personally, refusing to rely on any man to think for him or to take any man in any position as a criterion or perfect guide, but looking to God for divine enlightenment and individually developing a character that will stand in the day of God.

Such mutual submission by taking counsel together must not become weakness or indecision, for workers are to use their judgment, decide what needs to be done, and move forward steadily. Where members pursue their own ideas and selfish plans instead of being subject to one another, the church shows a lack of mutual submission and fails to follow this instruction.

Humble Character in Practice

True humility of mind belongs to a heart touched by the love of Jesus and is shown in modesty of demeanor, gentle unassuming speech, and conduct that reveals the cherished influence of the Holy Spirit. It discerns and appreciates the virtues of others, gives due respect to all as members of the royal family and children of the heavenly King, and acts with kindness, courtesy, tenderness, compassion, and honor to others by putting on meekness and lowliness and hiding self. It rules out being bold, rash, dictatorial, boastful, denunciatory, revengeful, accusatory, and condemning, and it lays aside a combative, harsh, overbearing, and ruling spirit with roughness, bitter words, and uncharitableness. It speaks kindly to young or old, high or low, learned or unlearned, without words like piercing swords, without humbling brethren for faults or errors, and with meekness and gentleness even toward opposers, softening the manner of address and taking harshness out of the voice. It corrects in meekness by praying and talking with a brother, examining and correcting one's own faults rather than tearing down another worker's efforts, acting as dictator, or presuming to punish others. Humility means being lowly in mind and not seeking display, prominence, distinction, status, or supremacy, but laying aside self-esteem, self-love, self-confidence, character defects, and the desire for supremacy, and coming like little children ready to receive the Holy Spirit.

Humility means taking up every duty, serving others with care, respecting their opinions, and being teachable and kind rather than seeking status or treating one's own views as infallible. No person is complete in himself, so by submitting mind and will to the Holy Spirit believers remain continual learners of the great Teacher, deliberately putting humility on like a garment or robe, reverently loving truth and righteousness rather than living in self-sufficiency. Humility is not shrinking from responsibility, lacking aspiration, or fearing failure, but carrying out God's purposes by relying on His strength and cheerfully accepting and wholeheartedly serving in appointed duties. It means approaching Scripture as a learner, seeking God's wisdom before judging new light, searching for truth rather than looking for differences to use against others, and focusing on what can be agreed on so as to become more like Christ. Being clothed with humility requires humbling self in the dust before God over sin instead of self-conceit, self-righteousness, self-will, stubbornness, tyranny, faultfinding, and criticism, clearing one's own soul, keeping silent about the faults and errors of others, learning meekness in Christ's school, and bringing transforming religion into practical home and church life that molds character after the divine model. This includes humbly confessing wrongs to children and the church before it is too late, and without this thorough transformation it is never safe to bear responsibilities in the church.

For the young, submission means willingly receiving instruction from mature experience instead of thinking the experienced do not understand, while shunning impulsiveness, censure, bearing down, and a rash denunciatory spirit that destroys influence. Ardor and zeal in youth are proper only when graced with humility and inward adorning, shown in patience and calmness toward those who see less quickly, in not urging others too strongly, in not becoming discouraged and restless when expectations fail, in staying with present duty and faithfulness in all doings, and in mildness, gentleness, forbearance, long-suffering, and love that forbears, hopes, and endures all things. Humility requires self-denial, modesty, and simplicity in conversation, conduct, dress, diet, and influence, and these instructions are disregarded when people adopt the fashions, customs, and principles of the world. Pride, selfishness, and overbearing behavior contradict genuine sanctification and Christ's character, so those who claim holiness yet fail to obey God do not display it, while Christlike words and actions make goodness visible and lead others to glorify God. Humility means depending on God rather than taking credit or trusting one's own abilities, recognizing that every capability and useful work comes from His blessing, using entrusted gifts faithfully without overusing them, remaining open to correction, not walking alone in self-confidence, and depending on Christ with helpless trust so as to remain spiritually independent amid worldly confusion and temptation rather than seeking human applause or living for others' opinions. Faithfulness is to be marked by humility and by pure, active, diffusive love that lives to bless others, stays undivided in present work until another piece of work is given, goes about duty instead of seeking happiness, gains the victory where argument, authority, intellect, and force fail, overcomes great evils, and melts and transforms sinful hearts, while outward humility alone without pure love is deceptive.

Humble Service and Witness

God's workers are to live in unity and harmony with mutual dependence on one another for help in their different callings, with the younger submitting to the elder and all being subject to one another and clothed with humility. Those whom God has especially blessed with experience are fitted to be valued as wise counselors, and this does not make them rulers over others. In the work of the church ministers and other workers are to make room for fellow laborers, avoid jealousy and friction, and use their different gifts together under Christ rather than fastening themselves to a human leader or judging others by their own ideas, for Christ is the leader.

Those called to bear God's message are to exalt the message and not self and to walk humbly with God day by day under the guidance of the Great Shepherd as faithful caretakers worthy of responsibility. They are to remain willing to correct their errors, since human beings are liable to err and confidence in an accepted idea must not harden into refusal to repent or change when mistaken. Those who so work will be exalted by God in due time, for promotion is to be trusted to Him. No man in whatever position is to teach his fellow man to look to him for wisdom, take God's place, or make flesh his arm, but the Lord alone is to be trusted, looked to for guidance, and followed when His counsel is received.

Ministers, whatever their position, must represent Jesus Christ and have no proud thoughts or actions, but work with earnest concern for others and the salvation of souls. They should give their lives to His service and reveal His holy character, for a person's worth is found in Christ and shown by faith in the Saviour and a truthful, upright life. True greatness does not rest on position but on purity and faithfulness. Self-uplifting and loving to rule over God's heritage work out the natural result of a character God will not approve, while those under rule to Christ are examples to the flock. Humble submission brings grace and divine cooperation so that work and teaching are done in Christ's way and lines rather than in weak human ability and reliance on one's own ability, with humility under God's mighty hand leading to exaltation in due time.

Humility and mutual submission call believers to respect and love one another, draw near to their brethren, and cultivate confidence rather than suspicion. These instructions call them to overcome faults of character and reject prideful self-reliance. Those who serve God's cause must be subject to one another and ready to receive advice and instruction, with humility, earnest effort, and prayer, together with God's grace, preparing them to serve and train others.

Humility is necessary in labor for God, for self-sufficiency and pride undermine a worker's usefulness, while receiving the grace of humility and following God's ways enables work that benefits God's cause. Genuine humility and self-denial are essential for successful service, and God acknowledges only work bearing His seal. This humility means recognizing one's limits rather than making proud claims, shown by accepting instruction and correction from an experienced physician as a child from a father and by gaining skill through steady effort from the lower steps upward, with Bible religion as the mainspring of conduct. It must be cultivated rather than seeking human applause or living for other people's opinions, meaning dependence on Christ with helpless trust through which a person can remain spiritually independent and faithful amid worldly confusion and temptation.

Coming to God with the humility of little children, laying aside self-esteem, character defects, and the desire for supremacy, makes one ready to receive the Holy Spirit. As members listen and walk humbly with God rather than assuming they alone know what is needed or seeking mastery and high position, the Holy Spirit can teach the church and reveal divine truth through them, with each encouraged in and recognized for the work God has entrusted to them in united service. Those who humble themselves before God and faithfully endure spiritual conflict, remaining sober and watchful against the devil, are among those specially remembered by Him. The same counsel supports living with solemn care in words and actions and bearing a faithful, soul-winning witness.

Those who fill responsible positions in the work must keep humbleness of mind and simplicity and must not get above the work, for becoming unguarded gives Satan an entrance to imperceptibly divert the mind from the great work. Being clothed with humility is a Christian duty meaning a meek, self-sacrificing spirit like Christ, relying on God's power to make efforts fruitful.