The Elder and the Amaranth 1 Peter 5:1-5

A Rose and an Amaranth blossomed side by side in a garden, and the Amaranth said to her neighbor, “How I envy you your beauty and your sweet scent! No wonder you are such a universal favorite.” But the Rose replied with a shade of sadness in her voice, “Ah, my dear friend, I bloom but for a time: my petals soon wither and fall, and then I die. But your flowers never fade, even if they are cut; for they are everlasting.” “The Rose and the Amaranth” Aesop’s Fables

Love Lies Bleeding Amaranth species

Peter’s use of the Amaranth symbol 1. Peter is the only one in the Bible who uses the amaranth symbol of immortality 2. Peter uses it to talk about elders/shepherds What can the amaranth tell us about our elders and consequently about ourselves?

The Amaranth in 1 Peter There are 2 uses of the amaranth in 1 Peter amarantinos in 1 Pt 5:4 * only use in the New Testament amarantos in 1 Pt 1:4

The Amaranth in 1 Pt 5:4 “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” 1 Peter 5:4 Technically means “made of amaranth” Can be translated “the amaranth crown of glory”

The Amaranth in 1 Pt 5:4 Jesus is the “Chief Shepherd” of the elders 1 Peter 5:4 Jesus is “the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls” 1 Peter 2:25 Jesus is “the great Shepherd of the sheep” Hebrews 13:20

The Amaranth in 1 Pt 5:4 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone…For it was fitting that he…in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. Hebrews 2:9-10 Quoting and alluding to Psalm 8:4-6

The Amaranth in 1 Pt 5:4 3 Do’s and Don’ts of exercising oversight 1. Not under compulsion, but willingly (5:2) 2. Not for shameful gain, but eagerly (5:2) 3. Not domineering…, but being examples (5:3)

The Amaranth in 1 Pt 1:4 …he (God) has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. 1 Peter 1:3-4 Receiving the inheritance equals… Receiving the amaranth crown of glory

The closest parallel verse to 1 Pt 5:4 Every athlete exercises self control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath (crown), but we an imperishable (immortal). 1 Corinthians 9:25

Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5