I Peter 5:4
A plain-spoken deep dive on this verse. Read the chapter →
And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
And--"And so": as the result of "being ensamples" (Pe1 5:3). chief Shepherd--the title peculiarly Christ's own, not Peter's or the pope's. when . . . shall appear--Greek, "be manifested" (Col 3:4). Faith serves the Lord while still unseen. crown--Greek, "stephanos," a garland of victory, the prize in the Grecian games, woven of ivy, parsley, myrtle, olive, or oak. Our crown is distinguished from theirs in that it is "incorruptible" and "fadeth not away," as the leaves of theirs soon did. "The crown of life." Not a kingly "crown" (a different Greek word, diadema): the prerogative of the Lord Jesus (Rev 19:12). glory--Greek, "the glory," namely, to be then revealed (Pe1 5:1; Pe1 4:13). that fadeth not away--Greek, "amaranthine" (compare Pe1 1:4).
Open source ↗In which the apostle gives particular directions, first to the elders, how to behave themselves towards their flock (Pe1 5:1-4); then to the younger, to be obedient and humble, and to cast their care upon God (Pe1 5:5-7). He then exhorts all to sobriety, watchfulness against temptations, and stedfastness in the faith, praying earnestly for them; and so concludes his epistle with a solemn doxology, mutual salutations, and his apostolical benediction.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.
Everyone who competes in the games trains with strict discipline. They do it for a crown that is perishable, but we do it for a crown that is imperishable.
He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. He gently leads the nursing ewes.
From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but to all who crave His appearing.
Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will suffer tribulation for ten days. Be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
I am coming soon. Hold fast to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.
and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you,
My servant David will be king over them, and there will be one shepherd for all of them. They will follow My ordinances and keep and observe My statutes.