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Having laid down the duties of pastors in the former verse, he points out the duties of the people in this, whom he calls the younger, either because they were generally younger in years than their spiritual guides, or because they ought to show that reverence and obedience to them which is suitable in young ones towards their elders and teachers: Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder; instruction and jurisdiction belonged to the elders, subjection and obedience to the younger.
Note here, That the duties of pastor and people are mutual and reciprocal; not that their duties are alike, but because there is a like reason for the performance of their respective duties, a like engagement and obligation upon both: the duty of the one is subjection; of the other ministerial direction.
He adds-- yea, all of you be subject one to another; intimating thereby that there is a duty of mutual subjection, which all Christians owe one to another in love: they ought to condescend to the meanest offices one towards another; to bear with the infirmities of each other.
The original word, rendered clothed, signifies, first, an upper garment, a frock or cloak, put over all the rest of our clothes; and so imports, that we should be wrapped up all over with this grace, that this should be most visible in our conversations, words, and actions, and conspicuous beyond all other virtues.
Secondly, It signifies a belt which girds about our garments, and so imports, that we should tie it fast unto us, and have those considerations always fixed upon our spirits, which may keep us in an humble frame of soul.
Note thence, That humility is a special ornament, a beautiful robe, to be put on daily, which commends us greatly both to God and man. We are never to account ourselves dressed, until we have this livery of our humble master Christ Jesus put upon us: Be clothed with humility.
Observe next, The argument to enforce this duty: For God resisteth the proud, sets himself as in battle-array against them, but giveth fresh supplies of grace to the humble; because more grace is promised to the humble, and the humble soul is more fitted, prepared, and disposed to receive farther measures of grace from God. God sets himself against proud men to bring them down, but the humble he doth countenance and exalt.