But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
Ver. 13. But rejoice] As the apostles did, Acts 5:41. See Trapp on " Act 5:41 "
inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings] So they are called: 1. Because they are for his sake. 2. Because he suffereth with us; though not with a sense of pain, yet with a sense of pity; for in all our afflictions he is afflicted. 3. We fill up that which is behind of the sufferings of Christ, &c., Colossians 1:24. See Trapp on " Col 1:24 "
With exceeding joy] Gr. αγαλλιωμενοι, dancing a galliard, leaping levaltos, lifting up your heads, because your redemption draweth nigh. Vincentius, laughing at his tormentors, said that death and tortures were to Christians iocularia et ludicra, matters of sport and pastime; and walking upon hot burning coals, he boasted that he walked upon roses. Other martyrs said that they felt no more pain in the fire than if they lay upon a bed of down. Constantine embraced Paphnutius, and kissed his lost eye; so will Christ deal at the last day by his suffering servants.