1 Peter 1:6-9
Verse 6
We can rejoice in such a wonderful inheritance from God, and in a living hope through Christ's resurrection! ὀλίγον ἄρτι εἰ δέον λυπηθέντες implies that the temporary trials we face are minuscule in time when compared to eternity with God. εἰ δέον ἐστίν, meaning "if it must be," teaches that our sovereign God appoints trials in our lives to test the genuineness of our faith and to continually refine it as a process for our sanctification. There is a God-intended purpose established within our afflictions, and our sufferings are never in vain. The word λυπεῖν means sorrow and distress. Peter acknowledges that these trials bring real pain. Lamentations are simply unavoidable in the Christian life. There will be seasons in which every believer encounters sadness and sorrow. Even our Lord Jesus was sorrowful and grieved before enduring the cross. Yet we can rejoice, knowing that we have a Savior who bore our griefs and carried our sorrows at Calvary. In order to truly know Christ, every believer must be willing to share in His sufferings so that they become like Him in death, and by any means possible attain resurrection from the dead.
Verse 7
This testing is necessary so that τὸ δοκίμιον τῆς πίστεώς σας may be revealed. Peter describes this faith as being more precious than gold. In Peter's time, gold was considered the most valuable and durable of materials. It was common practice to purify gold through intense heat, melting it so that impurities would rise to the surface and be removed. Simply stated, the hotter the fire, the purer the gold. However, unlike gold which perishes, our faith endures forever. As it is tested by the fire of trials and suffering, it is refined into something eternal and more valuable than all earthly possessions. Just as fire removes impurities from metal, so trials expose the hidden sins within our faith. God does not use these trials to cast us into shame or despair because of the weakness of our flesh, but rather to sanctify us, purifying our hearts to be more fully aligned with His will. We are assured that He who began a good work in us will bring it to completion on the day of Christ Jesus. As our faith is continually refined, it results in ἔπαινος (praise) and δόξα (glory) and τιμή (honor). When we overcome a trial, we are moved to give praise and thanksgiving to God who equips us with the Holy Spirit to endure and to overcome. Every trial in the life of a believer ultimately serves to bring glory to God.
Verse 8
The foundation of Christianity rests upon faith, not upon sight. Though we do not see Him, we are still able to love Him and to believe in Him. We are drawn toward Him in trust. We are able to rejoice with joy inexpressible, even while grieved by various trials, for this joy is filled with glory. When something is δεδοξασμένῃ, it is clothed in the radiance of God. This joy does not come from the world, but from God Himself. The joy we have on this earth right now is only a taste of what's to come once we are in glory with Him in heaven! Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed!
Verse 9
At the end of our trials there is eternal rest with God in heaven. When we place our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, we are saved. Sola fide! For by grace we have been saved through faith!
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