Agree with your adversary quickly, .... lest your adversary deliver you to the judge

Matthew 5:25
Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.

Jesus taught the above just after the Beatitudes, while He was explaining that hatred is regarded as murder. Rather than having conflict with our adversaries to the point of going to court over certain matters, it may be more prudent to agree with the adversary and move forward. We tend to regard our rights as all-important and would defend our rights. When our rights are violated, we try to seek justice including in the most civilised manner. However, despite the injustice of His arrest, Jesus asked His accusers to promptly carry on with the unjust trial and sentence. When we come certain trials and tribulations, unlike Jesus who is perfect, we have to examine ourselves and repent. A commentary said: "as long as there is disobedience in any point of His teaching, He will allow the Holy Spirit to use whatever means necessary to bring us back into obedience"

Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world

Peter had a word of encouragement to the elders, identifying himself as an elder too, that they should be serve the flock, be as examples and keep the hope of receiving glory from Christ. To the young Christians, he encourages humility and submission to the elders, quoting that "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble".

There is a clear warning from Peter that the Enemy is roaming the earth like a lion, ready to pounce on any followers of Yshua. The advice is to stand fast in the faith and resist him. The suffering that the followers go through has already been experienced by others. Christ Himself will help us after the initial suffering by strengthening us and giving us peace.




1 Peter 5
Shepherd the Flock

1 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly,[a] not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; 4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

Submit to God, Resist the Devil

5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for

“God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble.”[b]
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because[c] your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10 But may[d] the God of all grace, who called us[e] to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Farewell and Peace

12 By Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand.

13 She who is in Babylon, elect together with you, greets you; and so does Mark my son. 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love.

Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.