📖WEB · 1 Peter 5:6
What does 1 Peter 5:6 mean?
"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time;"
— 1 Peter 5:6 (World English Bible)
Surrounding context
neither as lording it over those entrusted to you, but making yourselves examples to the flock.
When the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the crown of glory that doesn’t fade away.
Likewise, you younger ones, be subject to the elder. Yes, all of you clothe yourselves with humility, to subject yourselves to one another; for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time;
casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you.
Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
Withstand him steadfast in your faith, knowing that your brothers who are in the world are undergoing the same sufferings.
Explanation
1 Peter 5:6 calls believers to humble themselves under God's mighty hand, trusting that he will lift them up at the right time. In plain language, Peter is telling his readers to willingly submit to God's authority and timing rather than trying to exalt themselves or control their own circumstances. The image of God's "mighty hand" recalls the language used throughout the Old Testament to describe God's powerful acts, especially in delivering Israel from Egypt (see Exodus 3:19-20, Deuteronomy 3:24). It conveys both God's strength and his sovereign right to govern the affairs of his people.
The context of this letter is important. Peter is writing to Christians scattered across Asia Minor who are enduring suffering, persecution, and social marginalization for their faith (1 Peter 1:1, 4:12-19). In chapter 5, he addresses elders and younger believers, urging humility toward one another (5:5) and then toward God himself. The surrounding verses quote Proverbs 3:34 — "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble" — showing that Peter is drawing on wisdom literature to reinforce a pattern: pride invites opposition from God, while humility invites his favor. Given that the audience is suffering, this humility is not about weakness but about trusting God's providence even when circumstances feel unjust or painful.
Theologically, the verse teaches that true exaltation comes from God, not from self-promotion. The phrase "in due time" points to God's sovereign timing — he is not obligated to act on human sched
Compare translations
Go deeper with ScriptureCompanion AI
Ask questions about any verse, follow reading plans, write personal prayers, and track your daily habit — all grounded in verified scripture text.