The Corps' bible study group spent a while this past Wednesday looking at 1 Peter 5:6-7. I've been mulling over the passage since then. Here are the verses in the two translations that I use most frequently:
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (NIV)
"So be content with who you are, and don't put on airs. God's strong hand is on you; he'll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you." (The Message)
I appreciate the need to have a servant mentality in all that we do as Christians, however humility needs to be included into the mix if it's all going to work. The aim is not trying to be something that you're not. It's not about fame, or glory. It's about acknowledging who you are; about how this can be developed.
The two verses mentioned are shown as separate sentences in the translations above, however it's clear there is a connection; they need to be considered as one. One scholar I read said that the Greek word for casting (ejpirivyantes) directly refers back to the previous verse, and to the command to 'humble yourself'. In fact, the study group did find one translation that effectively combined both verses into one sentence:
"And God will exalt you in due time, if you humble yourselves under his mighty hand by casting all your cares on him because he cares for you." (NET Bible)
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