5:8 Trust in God is not all that we need, however. We also need to practice self-control and to keep alert (cf. 1:13; 4:7) because Satan is on the prowl (cf. Job 1:7; Matt. 26:41; 1 Cor. 16:13). Peter's readers were in danger from him if they gave in to his temptation to regard their sufferings as an indication of God's disinterest or ill will (cf. James 1:13). Satan not only seeks to deceive us as a serpent (2 Cor. 11:3), but he also seeks to devour us as a lion.
"The picture is one of a beast swallowing its prey in a gulp."194
5:9 Whereas God commands us to forsake the world and deny the lusts of the flesh we should resist the devil. Satan's desire is to get the Christian to doubt, to deny, to disregard, and to disobey what God has said. The Greek word translated "resist"means to defend oneself against, not to attack. It is easier to resist when we remember that this duty is common to all Christians; it is not unique to us alone. A better translation of "accomplished by"might be "laid upon."Suffering is the common experience of all committed believers as long as we are in the world (cf. 2 Tim. 3:12).
Peter advocated three responses to Satan in this passage. We should respecthim ("be of sober spirit,"v. 8). If Peter had respected Satan more he might not have slept in the garden of Gethsemane after Jesus had warned him to watch and pray so that he would not enter into temptation. Second, Peter said we should recognizeSatan ("be on the alert,"v. 8). If Peter had been alert he might not have denied Jesus three times in the courtyard of the high priest. Third, we should resistSatan (v. 9). If Peter had resisted Satan he might not have felt that he had to resist Malchus' advance in Gethsemane and cut off his ear.
"Before we can stand before Satan [vv. 8-9], we must bow before God [vv. 6-7]. Peter resisted the Lord and ended up submitting to Satan!"195
5:10 We have on our side One who is able to overcome our adversary the devil. Furthermore God gives sufficient grace (2 Cor. 12:9). He has called us to experience eternal glory ultimately (1:1). Both our calling and our glory are in Christ. God will make us complete (Gr. katartizo, "to mend [nets],"Matt. 4:21) establish us, strengthen us for service, and give us peace in His will.
"What Peter has done is pile up a number of closely related terms that together by their reinforcing one another give a multiple underscoring of the good that God is intending for them and even now is producing in their suffering."196
5:11 God has enough power and ability to help us endure whatever suffering He allows us to experience (1 Cor. 10:13). Peter concluded this statement about God's sufficiency with another benediction (cf. 4:11).
To summarize, Peter exhorted the church elders to shepherd those under their care. He exhorted younger Christians to submit to their older brethren. He exhorted all to stand firm against Satan armed with an attitude of submission to God and to one another.
