Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time,
Parallel Translations
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Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time,
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Submit youre selves therfore vnder the myghty honde of god that he maye exalt you when the tyme is come.
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Humble your selues therefore vnder the mightie hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.
Cross-references (40)
Passages linked to 1 Peter 5:6 in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, ordered by reader-vote popularity; verse text shown in World English Bible.
- James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will exalt you.
- Luke 14:11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
- Proverbs 29:23 A man’s pride brings him low, but one of lowly spirit gains honor.
- Matthew 23:12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
- Luke 18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
- 2 Chronicles 32:26 Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that Yahweh’s wrath didn’t come on them in the days of Hezekiah.
- Luke 1:52 He has put down princes from their thrones, and has exalted the lowly.
- 2 Chronicles 12:12 When he humbled himself, Yahweh’s wrath turned from him, so as not to destroy him altogether. Moreover, there were good things found in Judah.
- 2 Chronicles 33:12 When he was in distress, he begged Yahweh his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers.
- Isaiah 40:4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The uneven shall be made level, and the rough places a plain.
- Jeremiah 44:10 They are not humbled even to this day, neither have they feared, nor walked in my law, nor in my statutes, that I set before you and before your fathers.’
- Psalms 75:10 I will cut off all the horns of the wicked, but the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up.
- 2 Kings 22:19 because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before Yahweh, when you heard what I spoke against this place, and against its inhabitants, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and have torn your clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard you,’ says Yahweh.
- Isaiah 2:11 The lofty looks of man will be brought low, the arrogance of men will be bowed down, and Yahweh alone will be exalted in that day.
- 2 Chronicles 12:6-7 Then the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, “Yahweh is righteous.” When Yahweh saw that they humbled themselves, Yahweh’s word came to Shemaiah, saying, “They have humbled themselves. I will not destroy them; but I will grant them some deliverance, and my wrath won’t be poured out on Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.
- 1 Kings 21:29 “See how Ahab humbles himself before me? Because he humbles himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days; but I will bring the evil on his house in his son’s day.”
- Isaiah 57:15 For the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy, says: “I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also who is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite.
- Jeremiah 13:18 Say to the king and to the queen mother, “Humble yourselves. Sit down, for your crowns have come down, even the crown of your glory.
- Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good. What does Yahweh require of you, but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?
- Psalms 89:13 You have a mighty arm. Your hand is strong, and your right hand is exalted.
- Exodus 10:3 Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh, and said to him, “This is what Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews, says: ‘How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me? Let my people go, that they may serve me.
- 2 Chronicles 33:23 He didn’t humble himself before Yahweh, as Manasseh his father had humbled himself; but this same Amon trespassed more and more.
- Psalms 89:16-17 In your name they rejoice all day. In your righteousness, they are exalted. For you are the glory of their strength. In your favor, our horn will be exalted.
- 2 Chronicles 30:11 Nevertheless some men of Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem.
- Daniel 5:22 “You, his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, though you knew all this,
- Romans 5:6 For while we were yet weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
- 2 Chronicles 36:12 He did that which was evil in Yahweh his God’s sight. He didn’t humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from Yahweh’s mouth.
- James 1:9-10 But let the brother in humble circumstances glory in his high position; and the rich, in that he is made humble, because like the flower in the grass, he will pass away.
- 2 Chronicles 33:19 His prayer also, and how God was entreated of him, and all his sin and his trespass, and the places in which he built high places, and set up the Asherah poles and the engraved images, before he humbled himself: behold, they are written in the history of Hozai.
- Deuteronomy 32:35 Vengeance is mine, and recompense, at the time when their foot slides; for the day of their calamity is at hand. Their doom rushes at them.”
- Ezekiel 17:21 All his fugitives in all his bands will fall by the sword, and those who remain will be scattered toward every wind. Then you will know that I, Yahweh, have spoken it.’
- Exodus 3:19 I know that the king of Egypt won’t give you permission to go, no, not by a mighty hand.
- Exodus 32:11 Moses begged Yahweh his God, and said, “Yahweh, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, that you have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand?
- Leviticus 26:41 I also walked contrary to them, and brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised heart is humbled, and they then accept the punishment of their iniquity,
- Job 36:22 Behold, God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him?
- Ezekiel 21:6 “Therefore sigh, you son of man. You shall sigh before their eyes with a broken heart and with bitterness.
- 1 Corinthians 10:22 Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?
- James 5:10 Take, brothers, for an example of suffering and of perseverance, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
- 1 Timothy 2:6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, the testimony in its own times,
- Titus 1:3 but in his own time revealed his word in the message with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior;
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this verse (16 sources)
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John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain 6 Humble yourselves therefore. We must ever bear in…
6 Humble yourselves therefore. We must ever bear in mind for what end he bids us to be humble before God, even that we may be more courteous and kind to our brethren, and not refuse to submit to them as far as love demands. Then they who are haughty and refractory towards men, are, he says, acting insolently towards God. He therefore exhorts all the godly to submit to God’s authority; and he calls God’s power his hand, that he might make them to fear the more. For though hand is often applied to God, yet it is to be understood here according to the circumstances of the passage. But as we are wont commonly to fear, lest our humility should be a disadvantage to us, and others might for this reason grow more insolent, Peter meets this objection, and promises eminency to all who humble themselves.
But he adds, in due time, that he might at the same time obviate too much haste. He then intimates that it is necessary for us to learn humility now, but that the Lord well knows when it is expedient for us to be elevated. Thus it behoves us to yield to his counsel.
John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain Because those proud and lofty spirits threaten the modest…
Because those proud and lofty spirits threaten the modest and humble, the Apostle warneth us to set the power of God against the vanity of proud men, and to hang wholly upon his providence.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of…
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
Ver. 6. Under the mighty hand of God] If God can blow us to destruction, Job 4:9, nod us to destruction, Psa 18:16, what is the weight of that mighty hand of his that spans the heavens and holds the earth in the hollow of them?
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That he may exalt you] The lower the ebb, the higher is the tide. A deluge of sorrows may assault us, but they shall exalt as. And the lower the foundation of virtue is laid, the higher shall the roof of glory be overlaid.
In due time] In the opportunity of time, in a fit season. The very Turks, though remorseless to those that bear up, yet receive humiliation with much sweetness.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain The mighty hand of God; by this he means…
The mighty hand of God; by this he means God’s omnipotence, which sometimes is called a strong hand, Exo 3:19, a mighty hand, Exo 32:11; Deu 3:24, the right hand of power, Mat 26:64; by which he is able to beat down those that are proud and high, and to defend or exalt those that are humble and lowly.
In due time; Greek, in season, viz. that which God sees most fit and conducing to his own glory and your real welfare.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
William Burkitt 1703 · Public Domain By the hand of God, understand his judgments, his…
By the hand of God, understand his judgments, his almighty power, which it is our duty to submit unto, and to be humble under, in the day of our affliction; and this profound submission and deep humility is the way to glory and exaltation. He can exalt us, and will do it here, if it be good for us: but sometimes God sees abasement better for his people: better, because safer, and accordingly they shall have it.
Learn hence, That the strength and power of God should oblige us very greatly to humble ourselves before him, and subject ourselves unto him: Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God.
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Secondly, That God will exalt the humble in due time, either here or hereafter; either in time or in eternity, as it shall most and best conduce to his own glory and their good.
William Burkitt's Expository Notes on the New Testament (1700–1703) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain Humble yourselves therefore,.... Or be ye humbled before God,…
Humble yourselves therefore,.... Or be ye humbled before God, and in his sight; quietly submit to his will; patiently bear every affliction without murmuring, repining, or replying against him; be still under the rod, and despise not the chastening of the Lord; mourn over sin as the cause, acknowledge your vileness and unworthiness, and stand in awe of his majesty, considering yourselves as
under the mighty hand of God a phrase expressive of his omnipotence which cannot be stayed, and it would be madness to oppose it; and which is able to cast down the proud, and dash them to pieces, as well as to exalt the humble. His hand, upon men, in a way of chastisement, presses sore, and, in a way of punishment, presses down, and crushes to pieces; but to be under it in an humble manner is safe and profitable; such are hid as in the hollow of his hand, and are safe as in a pavilion, and comfortable under the shadow of his wings; and such humiliation and submission to him, and putting themselves under his mighty hand and care, is the way to exaltation:
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that he may exalt you in due time: the Arabic version reads, "in the time of exaltation": when his time to exalt is come, either in this world, or more especially at the appearance of Christ and his kingdom. The Vulgate Latin version, and two copies of Beza's, one of Stephens's, and the Alexandrian, read, "in the time of visitation"; and so the Ethiopic version, "when he shall have visited you"; which seems to be taken out of Pe1 2:12 sooner or later such who are humbled shall be exalted; it is the usual way and method which God takes to abase the proud, and exalt the humble; for humble souls honour him, and therefore such as honour him he will honour; and this he does in his own time, in a time that makes most for his glory, and their good; oftentimes he does it in this life, and always in that which is to come.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain The hand of God - Is in all troubles.
The hand of God - Is in all troubles.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain Verse 6. Humble yourselves] Those who submit patiently to…
Verse 6. Humble yourselves] Those who submit patiently to the dispensations of God's providence he lifts up; those who lift themselves up, God thrusts down.
If we humble not ourselves under God's grace, he will humble us under his judgments. Those who patiently submit to him, he exalts in due time; if his hand be mighty to depress, it is also mighty to exalt.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain Humble yourselves therefore - Be willing to take a…
Humble yourselves therefore - Be willing to take a low place - a place such as becomes you. Do not arrogate to yourselves what does not belong to you; do not evince pride and haughtiness in your manner; do not exalt yourselves above others. See the notes at Luk 14:7-11. Compare Pro 15:33; Pro 18:12; Pro 22:4; Mic 6:8; Phi 2:8.
Under the mighty hand of God - This refers probably to the calamities which he had brought upon them, or was about to bring upon them; represented here, as often elsewhere, as the infliction of his hand - the hand being that by which we accomplish anything. When that hand was upon them they were not to be lifted up with pride and with a spirit of rebellion, but were to take a lowly place before him, and submit to him wish a calm mind, believing that he would exalt them in due time. There is no situation in which one will be more likely to feel humility than in scenes of affliction.
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That he may exalt you in due time - When he shall see it to be a proper time:
They might be assured that this would be done at some time. He would not always leave them in this low and depressed condition. He would take off his heavy hand, and raise them up from their state of sadness and suffering.
(2)This would be in due time; that is, in the proper time, in the best time:
It might be in the present life. It would certainly be in the world to come. There they would be exalted to honors which will be more than an equivalent for all the persecution, poverty, and contempt which are suffered in this world. He may well afford to be humble here who is to be exalted to a throne in heaven.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain under the mighty hand--afflicting you (Pe1 3:15): "accept" His…
under the mighty hand--afflicting you (Pe1 3:15): "accept" His chastisements, and turn to Him that smiteth you. He depresses the proud and exalts the humble.
in due time--Wait humbly and patiently for His own fit time. One oldest manuscript and Vulgate read, "In the season of visitation," namely, His visitation in mercy.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain 6. Humble yourselves therefore—Because God thus resists the proud…
6. Humble yourselves therefore—Because God thus resists the proud and gives grace to the lowly-minded, enabling them to endure, and lifting them up in times of trouble and persecution, they are exhorted to receive with perfect submission all things that befall them under the government of the Lord, in the full assurance that soon or late, in his own way and time, he will exalt them in the removal of the trouble, or in taking them to himself.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain 6. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of…
6. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God] The parallelism with St James (Jas_4:10) will again be noticed, but the thought is one which occurs in many forms elsewhere (Job_22:29; Pro_29:23; Mat_23:12; Luk_1:52; Luk_14:11; Luk_18:14). The plural “the mighty hand of God,” reproduces the LXX. version of Deu_3:24.
in due time] The promise is purposely left in this vague indeterminate form. St Peter does not say that the exaltation of victory will come in this life. He does not say either, that it will not come till the Resurrection. He is certain, with the full assurance of faith, that this is God’s law of retribution, and he is content to leave “the times and the seasons” in the Father’s hands, certain that the season chosen will be the right one.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain (6) Humble yourselves therefore.—This, too, looks an amplification of…
(6) Humble yourselves therefore.—This, too, looks an amplification of a proverb, when we compare it with Jas_4:10. The humility here recommended is not merely a submissive bearing of the strokes which it pleased God to let fall upon them, but it was to be shown, as we see in the former verse, in their bearing toward one another. And “the mighty hand of God” is not to be regarded as that which is chastising them, but as the protecting shelter which they are humbly to seek.
In due time.—St. Peter probably means, in the day of judgment, which seemed so instant.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God,…
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. The Alexandrine Manuscript and some ancient versions add ejpiskophv, "in the time of visitation," probably from Luk_19:44. For "the mighty hand of God," comp. Deu_3:24; Luk_1:51. St. Peter was doubtless thinking of the well-remembered words of the Lord, "He that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Vers. 6-11.
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Counsels for troubled Christians.
yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God," etc. Approaching the end of his letter, the apostle condenses into two or three almost electric sentences some most momentous practical directions for troubled Christian men. In these directions we learn
I THE TRUE SPIRIT FOR CHRISTIAN MEN TO CHERISH IN LIFE"S TRIALS. Here is:
1. Devout humility, and with it freedom from anxiety. The two are more closely,associated than we sometimes imagine. Let us look at them separately, and then in their combination. "Humble yourselves.., under the mighty hand of God.
(1) Self-humbling is true humility. To be crushed by others or by circumstances may be only humiliation.
(2) Humbling of self before God is true humility. Towards God first and chiefly the emotion is to be cherished, the attitude maintained.
(3) Humbling of self before a personal, great, and loving God is true humility. "Mighty hand of God." Not a force, but a "hand a hand as gentle as mighty.
(4) Humbling of self before, such a God will lead to exaltation "in due time he will exalt." "Casting all your anxiety upon him, because he careth for you." "Anxiety;" perplexing, dividing, cutting thought. "Cast;" by a brave and resolute and simple act of will. "For he careth." Not anxiety now, but clear, loving, constant interest. Now, we can see how true humility leads to freedom from anxiety. The relationship and attitude of the soul towards God is the key to both.
2. Sober watchfulness, and with it stern conflict. "Be sober," etc. Note the need for the watchfulness.
(1) An enemy. "Your adversary the devil.
(2) An active enemy. "Walketh about.
(3) A destructive enemy. "Whom he may devour.
(4) An enemy who can be resisted. "Whom withstand.
(5) An enemy whom others have contended with and conquered. "The same sufferings are accomplished in your brethren who are in the world.
Into that trial and battle and storm all the brotherhood, even the great elder Brother, have gone.
II THE FINAL PURPOSE OF GOD WITH REGARD TO MEN WHO CHERISH SUCH A SPIRIT" IN LIFE"S TRIALS.
1. A destiny that is wonderful. "God of grace compassion, favor, help. "Called." God compels rivers, oceans, in their courses, etc., but calls souls to their high destiny. "Eternal glory in Christ;" such as is
1. revealed in Christ;
2. shared with Christ;
3. inherited through Christ.
4. A trial that is transient. "Alter ye have suffered a little while." Often it seems long. "Life, an age to the miserable, a moment to the happy." But it is a "little while" comparatively to eternity, and absolute in itself.
1. A character that is complete. "Perfect;" no deficiency or defect. "Stablish;" all this to be made permanent. Not goodness like the early cloud and morning dew. "Strengthen;" inspire with force to overcome all hostile influences.
2. A character that calls for praise to God. "To him be the dominion for ever and ever. Amen." Peter exulted that God reigned, and yearned for him to have empire that was universal and perpetual, and acknowledged by all with the "Amen," not only of all men, but of all the powers in every man.
U.R.T.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain 6. Humble yourselves. Because “God giveth grace to the…
6. Humble yourselves. Because “God giveth grace to the humble.” Under the mighty hand. God exalts as well as casts down. He lifts up the humble, therefore, “Humble yourselves that he may exalt you.” In due time. In God's own time; not our time, but God's.
B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain Humility and vigilance enjoined:
Humility and vigilance enjoined:
v. 6. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God that he may exalt you in due time;
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v. 7. casting all your care upon Him, for he careth for you.
v. 8. Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary, the devil, as a roaring Lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour;
v. 9. whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
The lesson which the apostle opened in the first paragraph he here concludes with an urgent appeal: Humble yourselves, then, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you in His time. The reference is to the suffering which He sends His Christians. The pride of the human heart is inclined to resent this chastisement, to murmur, and to grumble. But true Christians will repress this tendency, will willingly bow themselves under the chastening hand of their almighty Lord and Master, will cheerfully bear all the misfortunes which He thinks it best to inflict. If this is the case, then God, in His mercy, will also lift up them that are His out of the slough of despondency which threatens to engulf them, and will make them feel the fullness of His goodness in Christ Jesus.
In thus bearing the misfortunes, and even the chastisements which fall to their lot, with meekness and patience, the apostle suggests to the Christians: Casting your every care upon Him, for He cares for you. All the cares and worries of this present life, everything that bothers the Christians, in its entirety, and once and for always, they should simply cast upon their heavenly Father, making a recurrence of foolish care and worry impossible. See Psa 55:23; Mat 6:25-34, If Christians thus, by the prayer of faith, put everything that worries them into the care of their heavenly Father, they will realize and experience the truth of His many promises; they will find out that God takes a personal interest in every one of them, that without His will or permission not a hair of their head will fall to the ground.
But while yielding to God’s almighty hand, we should stand firm against the attacks and blows of Satan: Be sober, be vigilant; your adversary, the devil, like a roaring lion, is walking about, seeking whom he may devour: to whom offer resistance, firm in the faith, knowing that the selfsame sufferings are befalling your brotherhood in the world. That is the attitude of mind, the disposition, which we must find in the Christians at all times, to keep a clear mind, unclouded with the cares of this life, to be on the lookout against dangers and enemies all the time, never to slacken in vigilance for so much as a moment. For the most powerful enemy, the most mighty adversary, is the devil, the murderer from the beginning. Just as the roaring of the lion is intended to terrorize and intimidate the animals, as he goes forth to seek his prey, making them cower before him in cringing helplessness, thus the devil makes use of similar schemes. By the enmity and the threats of the children of the world he tries to reduce the Christians to a state of helpless terror, when they will be unable to resist his attack and will become a prey to him and to eternal damnation. He does not easily attack an entire congregation, but he singles out such as seem to offer the best chance for a successful onslaught. And it is the culmination of his joy if he succeeds in drawing some poor soul down into his kingdom of darkness. There is only one approved way for the Christians, individually and collectively, to save their souls at such a time, namely, by offering unyielding resistance, by being firm in the faith. For faith clings to Christ and to His Word, knowing that a single word taken from God’s eternal truth is sufficient to fell Satan with all his power. And in this resistance another thought will serve to strengthen the believers, namely, that the very same kind of sufferings is being accomplished in the case of the entire brotherhood, the entire Christian Church in the world. This world is the devil’s stamping-ground, here he exercises his power; hence we may expect that he will try with all his might to regain control also of our souls. The consciousness, therefore, that others are in the same condition, that all the other children of God in the world are suffering and battling in the same way as we are, will serve to comfort and to strengthen us.
Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.