1 Peter 5:6 (ESV) … “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you…”
Humble yourselves therefore. Be willing to take a low place—a place such as becomes you. Do not arrogate to yourselves what does not belong to you; do not evince pride and haughtiness in your manner; do not exalt yourselves above others. See Notes, Luke 14:7–11. Comp. Prov. 15:33; 18:12; 22:4; Mic. 6:8; Phil. 2:8.
Under the mighty hand of God. This refers probably to the calamities which he had brought upon them, or was about to bring upon them; represented here, as often elsewhere, as the infliction of his hand—the hand being that by which we accomplish anything. When that hand was upon them they were not to be lifted up with pride and with a spirit of rebellion, but were to take a lowly place before him, and submit to him with a calm mind, believing that he would exalt them in due time. There is no situation in which one will be more likely to feel humility than in scenes of affliction.
That he may exalt you in due time. When he shall see it to be a proper time. (1.) They might be assured that this would be done at some time. He would not always leave them in this low and depressed condition. He would take off his heavy hand, and raise them up from their state of sadness and Suffering. (2.) This would be in due time; that is, in the proper time. in the best time, (a) It might be in the present life. (b) It would certainly be in the world to come. There they would be exalted to honours which will be more than an equivalent for all the persecution, poverty, and contempt which are suffered in this world. He may well afford to be humble here who is to be exalted to a throne in heaven.[1]
[1] Barnes, A. (1884–1885). Notes on the New Testament: James to Jude. (R. Frew, Ed.) (p. 205). London: Blackie & Son.