What is the meaning of 1 Peter 5:6?

Humble yourselves

• The command is deliberate and personal: we choose to bow our wills before the Lord.

• True humility imitates Christ (Philippians 2:5–7) and places others first (Philippians 2:3–4).

• God “mocked” the proud but “gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6; Proverbs 3:34), so lowering ourselves opens the floodgates of His favor.

• Practical outworking includes confessing sin (1 John 1:9), serving quietly (Matthew 6:1–4), and yielding rights (1 Corinthians 9:19).

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therefore

• This word ties the verse to the context: “Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another” (1 Peter 5:5). Because humility is the posture God honors, we respond accordingly.

• Peter is summing up the entire letter’s call to suffer faithfully (1 Peter 2:19–21; 4:12–13).

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under God’s mighty hand

• “Mighty hand” recalls His powerful deliverance of Israel (Exodus 13:3; Deuteronomy 26:8). We submit beneath the same sovereign strength.

• His hand both protects (John 10:28–29; Isaiah 41:10) and disciplines (Hebrews 12:6). Bowing under it signals trust in His perfect control.

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so that

• The phrase reveals purpose. Humility is not aimless self-denial but the God-ordained route to blessing (Luke 14:11).

• God orchestrates every trial “so that the proven character of your faith” shines (1 Peter 1:7; Romans 8:28).

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in due time

• The Lord acts according to His timetable (Ecclesiastes 3:11; Habakkuk 2:3). Waiting refines us (James 5:7–8).

• “Due time” encourages perseverance: suffering is temporary, glory is certain (2 Corinthians 4:17; 1 Peter 1:6).

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He may exalt you

• Exaltation comes from God alone (Psalm 75:6–7). Any self-promotion is counterfeit (Jeremiah 45:5).

• The pattern is Christ’s: humiliation followed by exaltation (Philippians 2:8–9).

• Exaltation may be present—peace, usefulness, spiritual authority—or future, when Christ rewards the faithful (2 Timothy 4:8; 1 Peter 5:4).

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summary

Choosing humility under God’s powerful hand aligns us with His redemptive purposes. While we entrust ourselves to His timing, He promises final and faithful exaltation, turning present submission into everlasting honor.