Suffering Hurts but Rejoicing Heals

1 Peter 1:6  "In this rejoice..."

The Greek nuance translates “rejoice exceedingly” or “be exceedingly joyful.”  The word occurs only in the Bible and one other minor reference.  The word often occurs within the context of some physical expression of joy.  Acts 2:26 (quoting Ps 15:9) “my tongue rejoiced”, 1 Pt 4:13 translated with the intensity of the word, “that you might shout for joy”, Jn 8:56 of the man rejoicing that he received sight.  So here, rejoice with your voice, hands, and expression.  Give high praise for the content of salvation and the reward it brings to your soul.  The charge to rejoice carries the section thematically to 1 Peter 1:8 bracketing the trouble of the churches’ present trials in rejoicing.  Peter knows, at least in part, the trouble the members face.

Peter highlights, by comparison, the light trouble of suffering in this exiled state.  When suffering compares to glory in the imperishable inheritance and the sure hope of its security, little can be made of suffering.  Suffering hurts but rejoicing heals.  The product of suffering is despair but the product of hope if rejoicing.  Peter makes a statement of fact: the church rejoices with overt praise overflowing from their situation because the Lord appeared.