1 Peter 5:6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He did not simply say, “He will exalt you,” but added, “in due time,” teaching them to await that true exaltation in the age to come.

The apostle speaks of his own time, just as David says: which brings forth its fruit in its season (Ps 1:3). By the word season he hints at exaltation in the age to come. That exaltation, and it alone, is unchanging and firm.

For exaltation here is neither safe nor stable. It is more likely to be humbled than exalted. The Lord Himself says that humility exalts: Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted (Lk 14:11). And again: Whoever among you wants to be first, let him be last of all (Mk 9:35).

By the words in its season, the apostle indicated that the exaltation promised by humility belongs to the age to come. For the season of unchanging good things is in the age to come.

Even if someone imagines himself very powerful in this life and is surrounded by much property, the psalm teaches him to put aside his proud opinion of himself. He must humble himself under the mighty hand of God, not trust in his own strength, and not boast in the abundance of riches.

There is no one without sin, and no one will remain without punishment. Indeed, one is guilty by that very fact if he supposed himself innocent. Perhaps someone is guilty to a lesser degree, but no one is innocent.

The Apostle recalls the exaltation in the age to come. This exaltation alone is unchanging and imperishable. Earthly exaltation is unreliable, unstable, and always pregnant with a fall, which comes even more swiftly than the exaltation.

Therefore He gave such grace to the humble that, the more they humble themselves for His sake during the earthly contest, the more highly they will be exalted by Him in glory at the hour of recompense.

Yet the humility mentioned here may be understood in various ways. It may mean that by which anyone, having entered the path of the virtues, abases himself for salvation, in order to be cleansed of the sins he has committed.

It may also mean what is shown by those who have attained greater perfection, or who are near to God, in voluntary spiritual self-sacrifice through their acceptance of circumstances.

And certainly it may also mean that with which the spirit is armed, unconquered by the virtue of longsuffering, amid the cycle of oppressions that befall it.

God wants one thing from us: that we know and acknowledge our poverty, humble ourselves before Him, and walk and live in humility. Then He Himself will lead us to our blessedness.

The apostle wrote of this: Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you (1 Pet 5:6-7).

Our God is the almighty God, who makes all things out of nothing (2 Macc 7:28). We see what most glorious works He has made: heaven and earth and all that is in them (Ps 145:6).

Thus, when someone knows and acknowledges himself to be nothing, God makes something out of this nothing. He makes something good: a wise, pious, virtuous, and holy man. God makes only what is good, since He Himself is good.

“Therefore humble yourselves,” and so forth: acknowledge your own powerlessness and the power of God. The Apostle also seems to point here, as above (1 Pet 4:17), to this at the beginning and at the end of the epistle. There he comforts them by saying that they become partakers of the sufferings of the Lord and heirs of the glory to be revealed. Here he comforts them by saying that they do not suffer alone, but together with all believers living in the world, cf. Theophylact.

Humility is indicated as the most important weapon against the present grievous but passing circumstances, which will be resolved in the triumph of Christianity. Therefore the apostle advises them to cast all their care upon the Provider.

They must not grow despondent or give themselves over to moral slackness and carelessness. For the ancient enemy, who takes different forms at different times, is now bringing terror upon Christians.

Like a hungry, or rather enraged, lion, he is always seeking victims for himself. He seeks those who lag behind the flock of God because of the carelessness of pastors or because of the error of individual sheep.