1 Peter 1:6

Contextual Overview

⁶In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.⁶ In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. ⁶ In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,⁶I know you're excited about the great things to come, even though you know the brush and hell you'll have to ride through to get there. But in the end, it'll all be worth it. ⁶ You have cause for great joy in this, though it may have been necessary for you to be troubled for a little time, being tested in all sorts of ways, ⁶ Wherein ye exult, for a little while at present, if needed, put to grief by various trials, ⁶ Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been put to grief in various trials, ⁶ Wherein ye greatly rejoice, tho' now for a little while (if need be) ye are in heaviness thro' manifold temptations. ⁶ Rejoice triumphantly in the prospect of this, even if now, for a short time, you are compelled to sorrow amid various trials. ⁶ Wherin ye greatly reioyce, though now for a season (if neede bee) yee are in heauinesse through manifolde temptations:

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

ye greatly: 1 Peter 1:8, 1 Peter 4:13, 1 Samuel 2:1, Psalms 9:14, Psalms 35:10, Psalms 95:1, Isaiah 12:2, Isaiah 12:3, Isaiah 61:3, Isaiah 61:10, Matthew 5:12, Luke 1:47, Luke 2:10, Luke 10:20, John 16:22, Romans 5:2, Romans 5:11, Romans 12:12, 2 Corinthians 6:10, 2 Corinthians 12:9, 2 Corinthians 12:10, Galatians 5:22, Philippians 3:3, Philippians 4:4, 1 Thessalonians 1:6, James 1:2, James 1:9

for: 1 Peter 4:7, 1 Peter 5:10, 2 Corinthians 4:17

if: 1 Peter 1:7, Psalms 119:75, Lamentations 3:32, Lamentations 3:33, Hebrews 12:7-11

ye are: Job 9:27, Job 9:28, Psalms 69:20, Psalms 119:28, Isaiah 61:3, Matthew 11:28, Matthew 26:37, Romans 9:2, Philippians 2:26, Hebrews 12:11, James 4:9

manifold: Psalms 34:19, John 16:33, Acts 14:22, 1 Corinthians 4:9-13, 2 Corinthians 4:7-11, 2 Corinthians 11:23-27, Hebrews 11:35-38, James 1:2

Reciprocal: Exodus 15:25 - proved 1 Samuel 30:3 - burned Psalms 66:10 - tried Psalms 73:14 - For all Proverbs 15:15 - but Proverbs 18:14 - spirit Isaiah 25:9 - we will Isaiah 27:8 - measure Daniel 11:35 - to try Zechariah 13:9 - refine Luke 6:21 - ye that weep John 16:20 - your John 21:17 - grieved Acts 13:52 - were Acts 16:25 - sang Acts 16:34 - and rejoiced Acts 20:19 - temptations Romans 5:4 - patience Romans 8:18 - I reckon 1 Corinthians 10:13 - hath 2 Corinthians 4:8 - yet 2 Corinthians 5:2 - we Philippians 2:1 - any consolation Philippians 3:1 - rejoice Hebrews 11:17 - when Hebrews 11:25 - Choosing James 1:12 - when James 5:11 - and have 1 Peter 5:9 - the same Revelation 2:10 - ten days

Cross-References

Genesis 1:5
God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning-the first day.

Genesis 1:5
God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.

Genesis 1:5
And God called the light day, and the darkness He called night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day.

Genesis 1:5
God called the light day, and the darkness He called night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day.

Genesis 1:5
And God called the light day, and the darknes night: and the euenyng & the mornyng were the first day.

Genesis 1:5
God named the light "day," and he named the darkness "night." There was evening, and then there was morning. This was the first day.

Genesis 1:5
God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day.

Genesis 1:5
dai, and the derknessis, nyyt. And the euentid and morwetid was maad, o daie.

Genesis 1:5
And God called the light, Day, and the darknesse he called Night: and the euening and the morning were the first day.

Genesis 1:5
And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Wherein ye greatly rejoice,.... The Vulgate Latin version reads, "in which ye shall rejoice": and so the Syriac version, adding, "for ever"; and refer these words to the "last time"; or, times spoken of in the preceding verse; when the saints will greatly rejoice, being in full possession of eternal salvation; in distinction from the present time, in which they are in heaviness; but it is better to read the words in the present tense, and as expressive of the saints in this life, who are blessed with that fruit of the Spirit, joy, and have always reason to rejoice, and greatly rejoice. The connection is with the whole that goes before; and the sense is this, that regenerated persons rejoice, in that they are the elect of God, according to his everlasting love towards them, and free grace, and good will; in their regeneration, which is an evidence of their election of God; in the abundant mercy of God displayed in their regeneration; and in that lively hope of eternal life which is the effect of it; and in the resurrection of Christ from the dead, which secures their justification of life, and their resurrection from the dead; and in the inheritance they are born heirs unto; and in their preservation to it by the power of God through faith; and in that complete salvation which is ready for them, and in a short time will be revealed, to which they are kept:

though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness, through manifold temptations. This seems to be a contrast, but is no real contradiction; for the character of the saints in this world is, that they are as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing, 2 Corinthians 6:10 rejoicing even in their tribulations and temptations; yea, for them, and on account of them, in some respects, which in others make them sorrowful, and heavy, or "heavy" with sorrow: the cause of this heaviness is not only indwelling corruptions, the hidings of God's face, and the temptations of Satan, but afflictions and persecutions, which are here meant by "manifold temptations"; for not the temptations or to sin, are here intended, but the temptations with which God tempts and tries his people: so he sometimes does, by calling them to hard service, to do things difficult and disagreeable to flesh and blood, in which way he tempted Abraham; and by laying afflictions, or suffering afflictions to come upon them, by which he tried Job; and by permitting wicked men to reproach and persecute them, and to injure them in their characters, persons, and properties; and which was the case of the primitive Christians, and has been more or less the case of the saints ever since: now such exercises are called, from the quality of them, temptations, or trials; because they try the hearts, principles, and graces of them that believe, and particularly their faith hereafter mentioned; and from the quantity of them, they are said to be various; they are of different sorts; as reproach, imprisonment, loss of goods, and death itself in divers shapes; and are more or less at different times and ages; and are exercised on various persons: and are sometimes very heavy, and grievous to be borne, and cause great heaviness and sorrow of heart; and yet there are things, and circumstances, and which are here hinted at, that greatly mitigate the heaviness occasioned by them; as, that these afflictions, and the heaviness that comes by them, are but little, and light, in comparison of the eternal weight of glory; though they are great tribulations in themselves, through and out of which the people of God come to the kingdom; and so the Syriac version renders it, "though at this time" קליל, "ye are a little made sorrowful"; and then it is only "now", for the present time, and but for a short time; for a little season, even for a moment, comparatively speaking; and also, "if need be", which the Syriac version omits, though by all means to be retained: afflictive dispensations, in whatsoever form, are necessary, by the will of God, who has appointed them, and therefore must be, and ought to be, quietly submitted to, and patiently borne, on that consideration; and are also necessary, on account of Christ the head, to whom there must be a conformity of his members; and likewise on their own account; for the humbling of their souls; for the weaning of them from the things of this world; for the restraining, subduing, and keeping under the corruptions of their nature; and for the trial of grace: and it is only "if", and when there is a necessity for them, that they are in heaviness by them; otherwise God does not delight to afflict and grieve the children of men, and much less his own; see Lamentations 3:33 so the Jews say y, that הוצרך, "there was a necessity" of God's tempting Abraham as he did, to humble and purify him.

y Tzeror Hammor, fol. 22. 1.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Wherein ye greatly rejoice - In which hope of salvation. The idea is, that the prospect which they had of the future inheritance was to them a source of the highest joy, even in the midst of their many sufferings and trials. On the general grounds for rejoicing, see the Romans 5:1-2 notes; Philippians 3:1; Philippians 4:4 notes; 1 Thessalonians 5:16 note. See also the notes at 1 Peter 1:8. The particular meaning here is, that the hope which they had of their future inheritance enabled them to rejoice even in the midst of persecutions and trials. It not only sustained them, but it made them happy. That must be a valuable religion which will make people happy in the midst of persecutions and heavy calamities.

Though now for a season - A short period - ὀλίγον oligon. It would be in fact only for a brief period, even if it should continue through the whole of life. Compare the notes at 2 Corinthians 4:17; “Our light affliction which is but for a moment.” It is possible, however, that Peter supposed that the trials which they then experienced would soon pass over. They may have been suffering persecutions which he hoped would not long continue.

If need be - This phrase seems to have been thrown in here to intimate that there was a necessity for their afflictions, or that there was “need” that they should pass through these trials. There was some good to be accomplished by them, which made it desirable and proper that they should be thus afflicted. The sense is, “since there is need;” though the apostle expresses it more delicately by suggesting the possibility that there might be need of it, instead of saying absolutely that there was need. It is the kind of language which we would use in respect to one who was greatly afflicted, by suggesting to him, in the most tender manner, that there might be things in his character which God designed to correct by trials, instead of saying roughly and bluntly that such was undoubtedly the fact. We would not say to such a person, “you certainly needed this affliction to lead you to amend your life;” but, “it may be that there is something in your character which makes it desirable, or that God intends that some good results shall come from it which will show that it is wisely ordered.”

Ye are in heaviness - Greek, “Ye are sorrowing,” (λυπηθέντες lupēthentes;) you are sad, or grieved, Matthew 14:9; Matthew 17:23.

Through manifold temptations - Through many kinds of trials, for so the word rendered “temptation” (πειρασμος peirasmos) means, James 1:2, James 1:12. See the notes at Matthew 4:1; Matthew 6:13. The meaning here is, that they now endured many things which were suited to try or test their faith. These might have consisted of poverty, persecution, sickness, or the efforts of ethers to lead them to renounce their religion, and to go back to their former state of unbelief. Anyone or all of these would try them, and would show whether their religion was genuine. On the various ways which God has of trying his people, compare the notes at Isaiah 28:23-29.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 6. Wherein ye greatly rejoice — Some refer wherein, ενω, to the salvation mentioned above; others, to the last time, καιρωεσχατω, in 1 Peter 1:5; others think that it applies to the being kept by the power of God through faith; and others, that it refers to all the preceding advantages and privileges. It was in the present salvation of God that they rejoiced or gloried, though not without having an eye to the great recompense of reward.

Though now for a season — ολιγον αρτι. A little while yet - during your pilgrimage here below, which is but a point when compared with eternity.

If need be — ει δεον εστι. If it be necessary - if your situation and circumstances be such that you are exposed to trials and persecutions which you cannot avoid, unless God were to work a miracle for your deliverance, which would not be for your ultimate good, as he purposes to turn all your trials and difficulties to your advantage.

Sometimes there is a kind of necessity that the followers of God should be afflicted; when they have no trials they are apt to get careless, and when they have secular prosperity they are likely to become worldly-minded. "God," said a good man, "can neither trust me with health nor money; therefore I am both poor and afflicted." But the disciples of Christ may be very happy in their souls, though grievously afflicted in their bodies and in their estates. Those to whom St. Peter wrote rejoiced greatly, danced for joy, αγαλλιασθε, while they were grieved, λυπηθεντες, with various trials. The verb λυπεω signifies to grieve, to make sorrowful: perhaps heaviness is not the best rendering of the original word, as this can scarcely ever consist with rejoicing; but to be sorrowful on account of something external to ourselves, and yet exulting in God from a sense of his goodness to us, is quite compatible: so that we may say with St. Paul, always sorrowing, yet still rejoicing.