But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
Assurance that God will "perfect" His work of "grace" in them, after they have under-gone the preliminary suffering.
But - only do you watch and resist the foe: God will perform the rest (Bengel).
Of all grace - (cf. 1 Peter 4:10). To God, as it source, all grace is to be referred: He in grace completes what in grace He began. He from the first, 'called YOU (so 'Aleph (') A B) unto (with a view to) glory.' He will not let His purpose fall short of completion (1 Samuel 3:12). If He does so in punishing, much more in grace. The four are fitly conjoined: the call; the glory to which we are called; the way (suffering); the ground of the calling, namely, the grace of God in х en (G1722)] Christ. Christ is He in virtue of, and in union with, whom believers are called to glory. The opposite is "in the world" (1 Peter 5:9).
After that ye have suffered. Suffering, as a preliminary to glory, was contemplated in God's calling.
A while - short and inconsiderable, as compared with the glory.
Perfect ... 'Aleph (') A B, Vulgate; Coptic versions read 'Shall Himself perfect (so that there shall be nothing defective in you), stablish, strengthen.'
Settle. So 'Aleph ('); but A B omit "settle" х themelioosei (G2311)]: fix on a foundation. The climax requires rather a verb of completing the work of grace, than founding it. Though you are called on to watch and resist the foe, God Himself х autos (G846)] must do all in and through you. The same God who begins must Himself complete the work. х Steerixei (G4741)] "Stablish" (so as to be "stedfast in the faith," 1 Peter 5:9) is the same as "strengthen," Luke 22:32. Peter has in mind Christ's charge. His exhortation accords with his name (Matthew 16:18). "Stablish," not to waver. "Strengthen" with might in the inner man by His Spirit, against the foe (Ephesians 3:16).