The Apostle Peter wrote 1 Peter around 60 A.D. This epistle, also known as one of the general letters (the seven following Hebrews) of the New Testament, was not directed at a specific church or group, but toward a much broader or general audience—like you and me!
Peter certainly benefited from possessing the four Gospels and Paul’s letters, but like all Scripture, his letter is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16). Most evident in Peter’s writing is his own personal relationship and practical experience with Christ. This culminating verse’s beautiful prose summarizes both the letter and the life of Peter.
The verse almost sounds like one of the splendid benedictions we receive departing worship on Sunday. Although we sometimes take it for granted, the benediction often serves to affirm both the truth of our God’s grace and peace, and to offer a motivational charge. But why does Peter’s summary almost sound like a benediction? Yes, it’s because of the elephant in the verse—that bit about suffering for a little while.
Meditating on the entirety of 1 Peter and the author’s experiences in Christ, absent is impetuous Peter and present is patient Peter. He leads as the Rock of the Church and lives in the Peace of Christ because he has taken the time to marinate in his own actual experiences in Christ’s presence, which certainly included suffering. Suffering was not originally part of Peter’s plan for himself and certainly not his plan for Jesus, most dramatically evidenced by Peter’s lopping off a soldier’s ear! But suffering was a part of God’s plan for Christ—and is also for us in order to participate in His eternal family and glory. We are “heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory” (Romans 8:17). For Peter, suffering became learning and then was translated into perseverance and then propelled him to hope (Romans 5:3-4), and this truth remains for us.
So, the suffering Peter describes is good because it is short-lived and manifest in the context of joy. Notice Peter neatly packed it amid grace, eternal glory, personal restoration and strengthening from his Lord. He reminds us that, in comparison, it only lasts for a little while (also Romans 5:18). Peter knows “weeping may stay for the night but rejoicing comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5). May it be with us.
by Elder Chuck Wolfe
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. – 1 Peter 5:10
