What Does 1 Peter 5:4 Mean in the King James?

And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

1 Peter 5:4 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

When the Chief Shepherd is revealed, you receive lasting weight from the one who tends the flock.

THE MEANING

The Chief Shepherd comes into view, and you receive a crown whose weight does not wither. This honor is received from him and endures beyond the fading that marks ordinary crowns.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

The assumption that every honor eventually fades is undone: this crown is explicitly unfading.

THE ROOT

φανερωθέντος

phanerōthentos

GROWS FROM

φανερ-

phaner-

Make manifest; bring into view.

“appear” in this verse is phanerōthentos. The promise turns on the Shepherd becoming visible: the crown is received at his unveiling. The verb names disclosure, bringing what is hidden into view.

ALSO GROWS

phaneros: Visible, manifest

φανερός

The Shepherd’s appearing is a movement from hiddenness into view.

phanerōsis: Manifestation, disclosure

φανέρωσις

This related noun makes the verse’s moment of appearance a revealing.

ἀρχιποίμενος

archipoimenos

GROWS FROM

ποιμ-

poim-

Shepherd; tend a flock.

“chief Shepherd” in this verse is archipoimenos. The title joins rank, ⁨ἀρχι-⁩ (archi-, chief), with the work of tending. The crown comes from the one whose defining role is care for the flock.

ALSO GROWS

poimainō: Shepherd, tend

ποιμαίνω

The verb shows that shepherding is active care, not merely a title.

poimnē: Flock

ποίμνη

The flock is the community held within the shepherd’s care.

δόξης

doxēs

GROWS FROM

⁨δοξ-⁩ (dox-), related to ⁨δοκέω⁩ (dokeō)

Esteem, regard, or honor; here, weight, the significance ascribed.

The crown’s glory is weight: an honor with substance that does not fade. The Greek word family also speaks of giving honor and being held in esteem.

ALSO GROWS

doxazō: Honor, glorify

δοξάζω

The branch shows weight being recognized and ascribed.

endoxos: Honored, held in esteem

ἔνδοξος

What is held in esteem carries significance beyond a passing appearance.

THE PATTERN

The crown names an honor held or bestowed by God that outlasts the present strain.

Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.

Isaiah 62:3 · KJVThe people themselves are named as a crown held in God’s hand, making the image one of belonging as well as honor.

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

James 1:12 · KJVThe crown of life is received after enduring trial, so the promised honor outlasts pressure.

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

2 Timothy 4:8 · KJVThe crown is laid up and given by the righteous judge to those who love his appearing, echoing the revelation and reception here.

THE THREAD

For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

1 Peter 2:25 · KJV

The same Greek word, ⁨ποιμήν⁩ (poimēn, shepherd), names the one to whom the reader is now returned here and the Chief Shepherd who appears in 5:4. The shared root connects the crown to the care of the Shepherd who gathers the straying life.

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