1 Peter 5:1

1 Peter 5:1 says, The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:  Peter address the elders, or church leaders I believe, and declared himself to be an elder, and one who had witnessed the sufferings of Christ.  Peter also said that he would partake in the glory to be revealed.  We need to exhort, to uplift each other as followers of Christ, because even though we may not have seen the sufferings of Christ personally, we know of them, and because of them, we will participate in the glory when He calls us home.  Verse two adds, Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;  The elders were called on to feed the flock of God spiritually, with love and never for the riches of this world.  God places people over His people today to guide them spiritually, and He never does it to make them rich materially.  Peter also said that the elders were not to attempt to force anyone to follow them, but that they were to do so willingly.  Verse three continues, Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.  Peter said that the elders, or church leaders, were not to act as lords over other Christians, but were to be an example to the flock, or the other Christians.  If a pastor or preacher starts acting morally superior to his congregation, then something is wrong.  Verse four states, And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.  Peter tells us that our reward for following Christ will never be in this world, but will come with the return of Christ, the chief Shepherd.  Verse five adds, Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.  Peter calls on the younger to submit themselves to the elder, and I don't believe this Is always a physical age but may refer to spiritual age.  Whichever Peter meant; he also tells them to be subject to one another in all humility.  Peter tells us that God resists the proud.  We are never to feel that we are morally superior to another Christian. Verse six continues, Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:  We, as Christians, are to humble ourselves before God, even if we are a leader in the church.  Verse seven concludes, Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.  Peter calls on us to cast all our cares upon God, because He cares for us.  We often drag around our cares and concerns instead of casting them on God.