5:1a–b

In these verse parts Peter wrote about himself and explained the basis on which he was appealing to the church leaders.

5:1a

There is a textual problem here. Some Greek texts have an introductory word meaning “therefore,” and some do not:

1. There is an introductory or connecting word. For example:

   So… (RSV) (NASB, REB, NET, NLT, NCV, RSV)

2. There is no introductory or connecting word. (BSB, KJV, NIV, GW, CEV, GNT, NJB)

It is recommended that you follow option (1), with the majority of Greek manuscripts. Some other logical connectors in English are:

So

Now (NCV)

As a fellow elder: Peter based his appeal to the elders on who he was. He was an elder, a church leader, as they were.

a witness of Christ’s sufferings: There are several ways of understanding the Greek phrase that the BSB translates as a witness of Christ’s sufferings:

1. It means that Peter was an eyewitness to how Jesus suffered.See Selwyn page 229. (This does not necessarily mean that Peter was claiming to have been present at the crucifixion.) For example:

   I have seen Christ’s suffering (NCV) (GW, NCV)

2. It means that Peter was one who gave a verbal testimony to how Christ suffered. He gave witness or told about this.See Achtemeier page 323; Best page 168; Michaels page 281, Davids.

3. It means that Peter shared in the sufferings of Christ.See Achtemeier page 324; Marshall page 161; Kelly page 198–199.

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), understanding that Peter is speaking of himself in a general sense as a witness of Christ’s suffering throughout his ministry.

5:1b

and: The word and here introduces another thing that was true about Peter. Connect 5:1b and 5:1c together in a way that is natural in your language.

a partaker of the glory to be revealed: Peter was continuing to describe himself. He looked forward to having a part in the glory that would be seen when Jesus returned to this earth. In some languages it may be natural to make it clear by using the first-person pronoun “I,” as the CEV has done:

and I will share in his glory when it is shown to us (CEV)

the glory: The Greek word that the BSB translates as glory refers to the bright light that reflects and symbolizes the greatness of God and Christ. See how you translated glory in 4:11 and 4:13.

to be revealed: This is a passive verb. To “reveal” means to make known something that is hidden or secret. If it is more natural in your language to use an active verb, you could say:

that God will reveal/show/display

If it is necessary for you to say to whom God would reveal this glory, you could supply the phrase “to us”:

that God will reveal to us^(incl)

5:1c

I appeal: The Greek word that the BSB translates as appeal means to urge or warmly invite/encourage someone to do something. Some other ways to translate appeal include:

exhort (RSV)

I am writing to encourage you (CEV)

to the elders among you: The phrase to the elders among you introduces some advice that Peter wanted to give to one group among his readers, the elders.

elders: The Greek word that the BSB translates as elders here refers to the church leaders. These leaders would usually be chosen from among the older church members. Some other ways to translate this include using a general description. For example:

spiritual leaders

persons caring for the Christians