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Originally Posted by YP0534
Nee specifically quotes only 5:5 in this section. Without going into a complete statement about what seems fairly apparent across all these verses, it is surely a practical thing that the younger be subject to the elder. Of course, the RcV does render this as "be subject to elders" which reinforces the poor title of "elder" but even granting that, "being subject to" is not a command of so-called "deputy authority" in the context of everyone being humble towards one another under "the mighty hand of God" after casting your care upon Him. He is the one who takes care of all of us and He is the one who gives us grace and exalts us when we humble ourselves to Him. In that atmosphere, we need to be humble towards one another and as younger men, we need not exalt ourselves over the older ones but even be subject to them. But this word "be subject to" does not mean "be the subject of." The elder ones surely are not the kings with the younger ones as their subjects to follow their whim. Moreover, all of them, the elder ones included, must be in all humility toward each other and before God, for God isn't going to be blessing the efforts of the proud. I think we can all understand this. As opposed to the previous two, it could give a little ground to the doctrine of "deputy authority" but clearly not too much.
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With your quotation, you must had read the "Chief Shepherd" in verse 4. Elders in this passages are "under-shepherds" or "deputy authority" in the church. As we normally submit to the Head, Who is Christ, we are also endeavored to submit to the "under-shepherds" or "deputy authority".
Brother Watchman Nee's writing is clear regarding the "elders" in the church as established by God Himself as "deputy authority" --
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God has His appointed authorities in the church. They are the elders who take the lead well and those who labor in word and teaching. God commands that all should submit to them. In addition, all the younger ones should submit to the older ones. First Peter 5:5 says, “In like manner, younger men, be subject to elders.” Chapter five speaks of those who are elderly in age, while 1 Corinthians 16:15 speaks of the household of Stephanas as “the firstfruits of Achaia (indicating seniority in the order of salvation), and they have set themselves to minister to the saints.” Stephanas was exceedingly humble and had set himself to minister to the saints. In verse 16 the apostle further said, “You also be subject to such ones, and to everyone co-working and laboring.”
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I believe Verse 5 was only quoted by Brother Witness Nee because it was his intent to emphasize that God would like man to submit to representative authority as suggested in the title of Chapter 7.
In fact, in the denominations, it will be clearly seen that a hiearchical system is established, top-to-bottom management or pyramid management. This is very obvious. Unfortunately, in the denominations, these representative authorities have been more of "positional titles" rather than "functional". I believe you know what I mean.