Throughout the existence of the church, there has been a constant enduring of difficulties, hardships, and various crises that believers have weathered. From attacks on the gospel, marriage, the family, gender and sexuality, and truth itself -- the church has had to stand and fight.

And in times of difficulty, when competent, faithful, and effective leaders do not come forward, the church will pay a high price. In such times of trouble, good leadership is even more important. The dispersed church that Peter was writing to was in the same position, therefore Peter takes time to specifically address the elders of the church and exhorts them to faithful leadership and fidelity to the gospel.