Peter addressed his first letter to believers scattered throughout Asia Minor who faced intense persecution. He reminded them of their identity in Christ as “elect according to the foreknowledge of God” (1 Peter 1:2).
Peter didn’t minimize their suffering but acknowledged it directly. He encouraged them to view trials as opportunities for spiritual growth.
In 1 Peter 4:12-13, he writes: “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.”
Peter offered three powerful encouragements for standing firm:
- Remember your salvation is secure
- Focus on your eternal inheritance
- Recognize that trials refine your faith
He emphasized that their suffering had purpose. Their endurance through trials demonstrated the genuine nature of their faith, which Peter described as “more precious than gold” (1 Peter 1:7).
Peter also encouraged believers to maintain holy conduct among unbelievers. Their godly response to persecution would glorify God and potentially lead others to Christ.
The Promise of Restoration After Suffering
Peter didn’t just acknowledge suffering – he promised divine restoration. His most powerful encouragement appears in 1 Peter 5:10: “But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.”
This verse contains four promises of what God will do for those who endure suffering:
| Promise | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Perfect | Complete what is lacking |
| Establish | Make you immovable |
| Strengthen | Empower you |
| Settle | Provide firm foundation |
Peter understood suffering personally. He had denied Christ three times, yet experienced complete restoration through Jesus’s grace.
He reminded believers that their suffering was temporary – “a little while” – compared to their eternal glory. This perspective shift helps believers endure present difficulties.
Peter also emphasized that Christians aren’t alone in their struggles. He wrote, “Resist him [the devil], steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world” (1 Peter 5:9).
His final encouragement focused on humility. Peter instructed believers to “humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God” (1 Peter 5:6), promising that God would exalt them in due time. This call to cast anxieties on God reminds suffering believers that they serve a God who genuinely cares for them.