Lutheran Lens Commentary: 1 Peter 5:6-11

Lutheran Lens Reading of 1 Peter 5:6-11

Tradition-Specific Interpretation

We read 1 Peter 5:6-11 through the Lutheran Lens as a passage that holds the tension of Law and Gospel. The Law is evident as it exposes our inability to humble ourselves perfectly or resist the devil by our own strength. However, the Gospel promise shines brightly in verses 10-11, where God promises to 'restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish' us. This is pure gift — God’s action on our behalf through Christ, not dependent on our merit. The text calls us to cast our anxieties on God because Christ has borne them on the cross, emphasizing our baptismal identity and the means of grace as the assurance of this promise.

Key Language Decisions

The Greek term ταπεινώθητε (tapeinōthēte) in verse 6, translated as 'humble yourselves,' is understood in our tradition as highlighting human inability under the Law. The passive voice underscores that true humility is not self-generated but a work of God in us. Furthermore, the phrase ἐπιρίψαντες (epiripsantes) in verse 7, meaning 'casting,' conveys an ongoing trust in God’s care, which aligns with the Gospel's promise. The emphasis in our tradition is on the divine action — God caring for us — rather than our effort.

Where Traditions Diverge

Unlike the Reformed tradition, which may emphasize perseverance as a fruit of election, we focus on the means of grace as the assurance of God’s promise, resisting any notion that perseverance is contingent on human effort. Additionally, while some evangelical traditions might stress personal decision-making in resisting the devil, we emphasize the work of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit through Word and Sacrament as the believer's strength.

Pastoral Application

As pastors, we proclaim this passage by emphasizing God's initiative and promise. We remind our congregations that the call to humility and resistance against the devil is not an exhortation to rely on their own strength but to cling to Christ crucified. We assure them of their baptismal identity, where God has claimed them as His own, and encourage them to find comfort in the means of grace — Word and Sacrament — as sources of divine strength and care. Our people expect to hear that even amid suffering, God's promise to restore and establish them is unwavering.

Cross-References: Philippians 4:6-7; James 4:10; Psalm 55:22; Matthew 11:28-30; Romans 8:31-39

Doctrinal Connections: Law and Gospel; Theology of the Cross; Simul Justus et Peccator; Justification by Faith Alone; Baptismal Identity