An Exposition of 1 Peter, part 3: Responding to Persecution with Joy
1 Peter 1:6-9
Introduction
In the last study, we discovered that Peter has reminded us of the true state of affairs. We have been chosen, and are therefore special to Him. We also saw that this was accomplished by the sprinkling of Christ’s blood and by being set apart by the Holy Spirit. We learned that God has reserved a place in Heaven for us and is guarding us that at the last time we might attain to the fullness of our salvation.
In verses 6-9, Peter reminds us that there is another reality that the believers in the churches he was addressing were all to familiar. We do not know the scope of this persecution, but when Peter was made aware of the situation, he felt it necessary to send this epistle to encourage the brethren there.
In which you rejoice — The word “rejoice” is usually translated from what is called the indicative mood in Greek. “Indicative” means that Peter is describing a fact. In this understanding, Peter is saying that these churches were already rejoicing over the truths that Peter had told them in the previous verses. It is also possible to translate it as an imperative which is spelled the same way. In this rendering, Peter is commanding the listeners to keep rejoicing. If taken this way, it might indicate that the joy of their salvation was starting to waver somewhat. “Keep on rejoicing” is certainly possible considering what Peter is about to tell them.
Although for a little while, it is necessary to be grieved by manifold trials — Now Peter addresses that the believers are currently being persecuted. Rather than rejoicing, they were grieved by the trials they were facing. I have translated the Greek word “trials” here. The Greek word is more properly “temptations” or “test.” The use of temptations here could be misconstrued in this context as it is too broad. The things they were suffering were trying their faith. Their situation tempted them to take their eyes off the true reality of their identity in Christ. Peter comforts them in this by two observations. What they were suffering was but for a short time, at least short in the light of eternal joy. The second is the use of the word translated “It is necessary.” The phrase is properly “Since it is necessary.” The Greek word “ei” is properly translated “since” rather than “if” because the verb is in the indicative mood which describes a fact rather than something they might or might not be facing. The Greek word “dei” is often used by itself with the idea of being a divine imperative. This means that God considered it necessary that the believers go through the grief of suffering. He was not the source of their grief, but He allowed them to suffer for a better purpose. this is the second comfort. The God who has called us and reserved a place for us must know that even the evil they were suffering would not destroy them but rather make them stronger.
That the testing of your faith which is far more valuable than gold which perishes— Peter makes an interesting comparison of their faith with gold. Gold is one of the most valuable substances on earth. What makes gold so precious is that gold does not tarnish like most other metals. When exposed to air, silver will turn black over time and copper green. But gold keeps its luster, even when heated. Gold has a reputation of being virtually indestructible. Yet, under great stress, gold is destructible. So, Peter is comparing their faith favorably to the most imperishable and valuable metal on earth. There is also a lot of “fools gold” out there. or gold can be easily plated over another heavy metal such as lead to fool one into believing that the object is pure gold. Tests are conducted to check if the object is solid gold or not. Archimedes discovered one test while in the bathtub using the volume of the water displaced by a crown which appeared to be gold. He discovered that it was mostly silver and not gold, to which he replied “eureka!” As heavy as lead is, gold is considerably more dense. An ounce of gold plated lead is bigger than an ounce of pure gold. there are only a few metals such as Osmium which are denser than gold. But these metals are far more costly than gold itself, so no one would use them to deceive someone. Genuine faith is easily distinguished from hypocritical faith by how it responds under test. Faith that is on the surface will not hold up under heat just like it becomes evident when a gold plated lead bar is melted down and shows that it is a fraud. God wants his people to have an imperishable faith.
And having been tested through fire it might be found unto praise, glory, and honor at the appearing of Jesus Christ — When Jesus returns to earth, He will bring all things into judgment. Judgment is not the same as condemnation. Judgment is discerning the true state of people’s hearts. Some are acquitted and approved. Others are condemned. Jesus talks about separating the sheep and the goats. Haggai the prophet states that at this time both the heaven and earth will be shaken, the Book of Hebrews quotes this verse and says that only that which can be shaken will remain. For the believer, God allows this shaking of our faith to go on while we are still in the flesh so that in the great day of shaking we will be unshakable. So the believer needs to keep in mind that God wants that day to end well for us, having a faith which brings Him praise, glory and honor and for us commendation, not condemnation.
Whom not having seen, you love — Jesus says in John 20:29 that those who have not seen yet, believe in Jesus, are blessed. Jesus had said these words to the Apostle Thomas in the hearing of the other apostles including Peter and John. The epistle of 1 John begins with John addressing his church be relating the fact that the Apostles has in every way experienced Jesus in the flesh. Peter was indeed blessed to have walked and talked with Jesus for a period of three years before Jesus ascended into glory. He also saw the glory of the transfigured Jesus on Mount Tabor, the glory of which was great. But the churches Peter is addressing had not seen Jesus according to the flesh. It must be said that the believers had the testimony of the indwelling Holy Spirit. they were not without divine witness. They had heard the words of the Gospel and were filled with the Spirit. Those who are filled with the Holy Spirit are directed to Jesus who in turn directs them to the Father. The Father, in return, points us to Jesus. He is Father because Jesus is the Son. John tells us the one who does not love the Son does not have the Father. So our love for Jesus is one of the fruits of our faith, that it is genuine.
Even though you are not now looking at Him, you believe and rejoice with unspeakable joy and full of glory— This seems to be a parallel structure with the previous phrase, something which often occurs in Hebrew thought. “having not seen” is in parallel with “not now seeing him.” There are two different verbs of “seeing” used, but the meaning is similar. This places “love” in the first phrase with the long phrase of unutterable joy which is full of glory. Our joy for Him is an expression of our love for Him. It is a joy that can hardly be put into words. One thinks of Peter on the mount of Transfiguration blurting out “Let us make three tabernacles. one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. We are told He did not know what He was saying. He was so overcome with glory, he did not know properly what to say. Paul heard words in a vision He could not utter because they were so holy. Yet, like Peter tries to do here, we must express this joy as best we can.
Receiving the goal of our faith, the salvation of your souls — As we mentioned earlier in the study, as Jesus looked beyond the cross for the joy that was on the other side, we look beyond the crosses that Jesus tells us we must bear if we are going to follow Him ,and see the joys of heaven set before us. There there we will finally see Him! then we shall find the full voice to express our joy. Peter again reiterates the idea of this salvation coming at the end of our journey. The Greek word for “end” or “goal” can also refer to that which is complete or perfect. At the end of suffering for Christ’s sake is our perfected faith.
Application
I remember seeing a church which had the motto: “There is joy at the end of the journey,” This is indeed true for the Christian. But there is joy even in the journey itself. If we were to look in the Book of Acts, we see joy everywhere. especially pertinent is that Peter and John who were returning to the brethren from being beaten were rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer for the name of Jesus.(Acts 5:41) It is so easy to respond to severe trials with grief. We might also complain about the unfair treatment we receive. But it takes an otherly-world perspective to respond to persecution with joy. But as Nehemiah states: “The joy of the LORD is our strength.”(Nehemiah 8:10) We need strength to endure.
I am no prophet. Only God knows what is in our immediate future, even though we know how it will end if we persevere in our faith. Even those who trouble us don’t know what tomorrow brings. But they are also ignorant of how this ends for them. Judgment is coming. their time of testing will come. We can only pray that they will repent and receive Jesus. This should be our goal for them, When we bless them who curse us, we give them pause to think, as this is an odd way to react. We can consider that when Jesus was on the cross, He did not curse those who crucified Him but rather forgave them as they did not know what they were doing. (Luke 23:34) As a result of the way Jesus suffered which was totally contrary to how he had seen so many suffer before that a Roman Centurion blurted out: “Surely this man was the Son of God.”(Matthew 27:54) We do suffer. We do not deny the pain of rejection and persecution. No sane person embraces pain. But yet there is a voice which can be heard above the pain because the Christian knows that after a little while, all will be well.
