1 Peter 1:6
Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
Study Note
Study Note
The declaration 'wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations' holds together present rejoicing and present grief in a characteristically Petrine both-and structure: the inheritance described in verses 3-5 is the ground of joy, while present trials are real and acknowledged. The phrase 'if need be' (ei deon estin) introduces divine necessity into the permission of suffering — trials are not accidental but divinely purposed, as verse 7 explains: 'that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory.' The metallurgical metaphor of gold-testing and faith-testing appears also in Job 23:10, Proverbs 17:3, and Zechariah 13:9, forming a consistent wisdom tradition about divine pedagogy through suffering. James 1:2-4 develops the identical logic of joy-in-trials.
Other Translations
Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, ye have been put to grief in manifold trials,
in which ye are glad, a little now, if it be necessary, being made to sorrow in manifold trials,
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,
Cross References
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me …
To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for …
Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and …
And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of …
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye …
But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be …
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened …
But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy …