1 Peter 5:5 In the same way, you younger men, be subject to the elders. And all of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
You've probably heard it said of someone that they "all wrapped up in themselves". To paraphrase and old country and western song "I want to talk about me, want to talk about I, talk about my, my, my, my, my". Reading today's verse should help the Christian stand back and take a look at the subject of our conversations.
We are to "clothe ourselves" wrap ourselves in humility, humility towards one another. It points towards the other person, a desire to know what is going on in their lives, not just in a superficial way but showing grace and in service. According to John MacArthur the word for "clothe yourselves" literally means to tie something on yourself, like an apron. In the context of this verse it means being prepared to serve. Functionally, what does an apron do, it covers your clothes to keep them clean. Not that we are in danger of being stained by others, but protecting us from being stained by our own pride.
The last part of the verse is a sobering one."God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble". It is something to think about as we head off into the work week. Will we receive God's grace to serve or will be resistant to His promptings in order to serve our own pride. Or will our conversations and the focus by about me, my and I?
1 Peter 5:4-6
Amplified Bible (AMP)
4 And [then] when the Chief Shepherd is revealed, you will win the [a]conqueror's crown of glory.
5 Likewise, you who are younger and of lesser rank, be subject to the elders (the ministers and spiritual guides of the church)—[giving them due respect and yielding to their counsel]. Clothe (apron) yourselves, all of you, with humility [as the garb of a servant, [b]so that its covering cannot possibly be stripped from you, with freedom from pride and arrogance] toward one another. For God sets Himself against the proud (the insolent, the overbearing, the disdainful, the presumptuous, the boastful)—[and He opposes, frustrates, and defeats them], but gives grace (favor, blessing) to the humble.
6 Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you,
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