1 Peter 1:6.— St. Peter here begins to speak of their persecutions and sufferings, which he enters upon with great tenderness and address; and endeavours to reconcile their minds to them by many and various arguments. First, he intimates that such afflictions would soon be over. Secondly, that they were necessary, or at least highly proper, in order to purify and refine their minds. Thirdly, that if their Christian faith could bear the furnace of afflictions, it was more valuable than the finest gold, and all worldly treasures. Fourthly, that their sufferings would meet with a most ample reward at Christ's second coming, Fifthly, that, as they loved Christ, and believed in him, though they had never seen him, they would at last rejoice with ineffable joy, when they received, as the reward of their faith, the salvation of their souls. And sixthly, that the ancient prophets had made a strict and diligent inquiry about that salvation; even those very prophetswho had prophesied of the Gentiles being favoured with the gospel;—to reveal which, God had lately poured out the Spirit, and sent the apostles not only to the Jews, but also to the Gentiles, 1 Peter 1:6-12. Having alleged thus much to support them under their persecutions and troubles, he goes on to exhort them by all means to avoid their former way of living, and to practise the holy virtues of the Christian life, as they were obliged by their profession, 1 Peter 1:13.-Ch. 1 Peter 2:3.
Wherein ye greatly rejoice,— "Upon which account you greatly rejoice, though now for a short time, as it is fitting, you are distressed by diverse temptations." Heylin, and the Syriac version. See James 1:2. Matthew 5:4 and 1 Peter 4:12; 1 Peter 4:14 of this Epistle.