Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

1 PETER 5:6KJV
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1 Peter 5:6 (KJV)

What does 1 Peter 5:6 mean?

1 Peter 5:6 urges believers to humble themselves before God, trusting His power and timing, with the promise that God will lift them up when the right moment comes. The verse emphasizes letting God take the lead rather than seeking to promote oneself.

Peter, writing to Christians facing hardships, encourages them to adopt an attitude of humility under God's strong guidance. The phrase "under the mighty hand of God" points to God's ability to protect and direct, while "in due time" reassures that God knows the right moment to act for their good.

The Greek behind 1 Peter 5:6

  • "Humble yourselves" (ταπεινώσατε, tapeinōsate): This Greek word means to make oneself low or to take a lower position. It is a deliberate action, not just a feeling, showing that humility is something believers are called to choose.
  • "Under" (ὑπό, hypo): This word often means being beneath something in a position of submission or protection. Here, it suggests willingly placing oneself under God's authority and care.
  • "Mighty" (κραταιός, krataios): This word highlights God's strength and power, reminding readers that God's hand is both strong to protect and able to act.
  • "Exalt" (ὑψόω, hypsoō): This means to lift up or raise high. The promise is that God, not people, will be the one to honor or restore those who are humble, and He will do it at the right time.

Why 1 Peter 5:6 matters

  • 1 Peter 5:6 corrects the idea that humility means weakness; instead, it shows humility is a choice to trust God's strength and timing.
  • The verse connects to the surrounding passage, where Peter addresses leaders and all believers about attitudes in times of difficulty, making humility a key theme.
  • It reassures readers that God is attentive and active, promising that those who trust Him and do not push for their own way will be cared for and honored by Him when the time is right.

Where else these words appear

“yourselves” Greek G5013 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 18:4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
  • Luke 14:11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
  • 2 Corinthians 12:21 And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.

“exalt” Greek G5312 · used in 16 verses

  • Matthew 11:23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
  • Luke 18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
  • Acts 2:33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

“time” Greek G2540 · used in 82 verses

  • Matthew 8:29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?
  • John 5:4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.
  • Ephesians 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: