1 Peter 4:13

4:13 Christians are called to suffer with Christ in order to be glorified with him (see also Rom 8:17).

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

1Pe 4:13. Καθὸ, even as) Glory answers to the measure of sufferings, but much more abundantly.—κοινωνεῖτε, ye are partakers) willingly.—παθήμασι, in the sufferings) 1Pe 4:1.—χαίρετε, ἵνα, rejoice, that) That, here, is more than if he had said ὅνα, because. By joy and desire we attain to joy and gladness. Comp. ἵνα, that, Joh 8:56. The reward of joyful patience is had regard to here.—ἀγαλλιώμενοι, with exulting joy) then free from all suffering.

Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament — English translation (T&T Clark, Edinburgh, 1860) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

1Pe_4:13. ἀλλὰ … χαίρετε] Antithesis to ξενίζεσθε; non tantum mirari vetat Petrus, sed gaudere etiam jubet (Calvin); the measure of the joy is indicated by καθὸ κοινωνεῖτε τοῖς τοῦ Χριστοῦ παθήμασι.

καθό, not equivalent to, that, nor to, quando (Pott), but to, quatenus, in quantum; cf. Rom_8:26, 2Co_8:12.

τὰ τοῦ Χριστοῦ παθήματα is inexactly interpreted by Vorst. as: afflictiones Christi membris destinatae, nempe quas pii propter justitiam et evangelium Christi sustinent; they rather mean the sufferings which Christ Himself has endured. Of these the believers are partakers (κοινωνοῦσιν αὐτοῖς), for the world shows the same enmity to them as to Christ, since it is He who is hated in them; cf. my commentary to Col_1:24, and Meyer to 2Co_1:5; 2Co_1:7 (so, too, Wiesinger, Weiss, p. 293 f., Schott). Steiger[253] is wrong in thinking of the inward suffering endured by the Christian, whilst, by the power of Christs death, he dies unto sin.

The object to be supplied in thought to ΧΑΊΡΕΤΕ is the ΠΎΡΩΣΙς previously mentioned by the apostle.

ἽΝΑ ΚΑΊ] states the design of ΧΑΊΡΕΙΝ: the Christians are to rejoice now, in order that they may also (καί lays stress on the future in relation to the present) rejoice ἘΝ Τῇ ἈΠΟΚΑΛΎΨΕΙ, etc.; for this future joy is conditioned by that of the present, as the future partaking of the ΔΌΞΑ of Christ by the present sharing of His ΠΑΘΉΜΑΣΙ.[254] Schott unreasonably opposes as grammatical pedantry the application of ἽΝΑ to the preceding ΧΑΊΡΕΤΕ, for he remarks, it is the sufferings themselves which hold out to us the future joy. But he omits to consider that the ΚΟΙΝΩΝΕῖΝ ΤΟῖς Τ. ΧΡ. ΠΑΘ. holds out future happiness to him only who finds his joy in it. Schott incorrectly appeals in support of his construction to Joh_11:15.

It is not correct to explain, with Gerhard, etc., ἽΝΑ, ἘΚΒΑΤΙΚῶς.

ἘΝ Τῇ ἈΠΟΚΑΛΎΨΕΙ Κ.Τ.Λ.] not because of, but at (Luther: at the time of) the revelation; cf. chap. 1Pe_1:17. The expression: ἈΠΟΚΆΛ. Τῆς ΔΌΞΗς ΧΡΙΣΤΟῦ (with which compare Mat_25:31), is to be found only here. By it the apostle indicates that he who is now a partaker of the sufferings of Christ, and rejoices in them (Col_3:4), will one day be partaker of His glory, and in it rejoice everlastingly. ἈΓΑΛΛΙΏΜΕΝΟΙ is added to ΧΑΡῆΤΕ by way of giving additional force to the idea (chap. 1Pe_1:8; Mat_5:12): quia prius illud (gaudium) cum dolore et tristitia mixtum est, secundum cum exsultatione conjungit (Calvin).

[253] The κοινωνεῖν τ. παθ. consists in the inward fellowship of the sufferings of Christ, in the participation in that strength which arises from the justifying confidence in their value, and which causes us even to die unto sin.

[254] Weiss (p. 291 ff.), while denying that Peter has the Pauline idea of community of life with Christ, supplements, as an intermediate thought that participation in the sufferings of Christ is the necessary mark of the true disciples. But this is to give a much too superficial conception of the relation, and could Peter haye thought it possible to be a disciple without community of life?

Meyer — Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament — English translation by Peter Christie, edited by Frederick Crombie (T&T Clark, 1880) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

1Pe 4:13 . καθό , so for as , i.e. , so far as your suffering is undeserved and for Christ’s name. κοινωνεῖτε … παθήμασιν , ye share the sufferings of the Messiah . The dative after κ . usually denotes the partner; here the thing shared as in Rom 15:27 ; 1Ti 5:22 ; 2Jn 1:11 ; and in LXX; Sap. 6:23; 3Ma 4:11 . This idea is expressed even more strongly by St. Paul ἀνταναπληρῶ τὰ ὑστερήματα τῶν θλίψεων τοῦ Χριστοῦ (Col 1:24 ). It is derived from such sayings as the disciple is as his Master (Mat 10:24 f.) the sons of Zebedee must drink his cup, be baptised with his baptism (Mar 10:38 f.). To suffer in Christ’s name is to suffer as representing Christ and so to share His sufferings. ἵνα κ . τ . λ ., from Mat 5:12 , χαίρετε καὶ ἀγαλλιᾶσθε . But St. Peter postpones the exultation. St. James (1Pe 5:10 ) follows Jesus in appealing to the pattern of the prophets. ἀποκαλύψει , the final revelation represents an original wordplay גלה on the quoted ἀγαλλιώμενοι = גיל .

The Expositor's Greek Testament, edited by W. Robertson Nicoll (1897–1910) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Another reason: Because the afflictions of the godly and the wicked differ very much, and chiefly in three points. First, because the godly communicate with Christ in their afflictions, and therefore shall in their time be partakers also of his glory.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

inasmuch as--The oldest manuscripts read, "in proportion as"; "in as far as" ye by suffering are partakers of Christ's sufferings, that is, by faith enter into realizing fellowship with them; willingly for His sake suffering as He suffered.

with exceeding joy--Greek, "exulting joy"; now ye rejoice amidst sufferings; then ye shall EXULT, for ever free from sufferings (Pe1 1:6, Pe1 1:8). If we will not bear suffering for Christ now, we must bear eternal sufferings hereafter.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Hence, then, is the whole consolation of the godly, that they are associates with Christ, that hereafter they may be partakers of his glory; for we are always to bear in mind this transition from the cross to the resurrection. But as this world is like a labyrinth, in which no end of evils appears, Peter refers to the future revelation of Christ’s glory, as though he had said, that the day of its revelation is not to be overlooked, but ought to be expected. But he mentions a twofold joy, one which we now enjoy in hope, and the other the full fruition of which the coming of Christ shall bring to us; for the first is mingled with grief and sorrow, the second is connected with exultation. For it is not suitable in the midst of afflictions to think of joy, which can free us from all trouble; but the consolations of God moderate evils, so that we can rejoice at the same time.

John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.

(13) But rejoice.—The opposite of being bewildered at it, for “rejoicing” in it implies a recognition of its character and purpose. The word rendered “inasmuch as” (which occurs also in 2Co_8:12) seems to mean, “in proportion as:” “the more nearly you are made to share Christ’s sufferings the more you should rejoice.” In the Acts of St. Probus (a Cappadocian), when, after many other tortures, the judge ordered them to heat some nails and run them through his hands, the martyr exclaims, “Glory to Thee, Lord Jesus Christ, who hast even deigned to let my hands be pierced for Thy name’s sake!”

Christ’s sufferings.—Rather, the sufferings of the Christ. (Comp. Note on 1Pe_1:11.)

That—i.e., “in order that.” This is to be attached to “think it not strange, but rejoice”—“in order that at the revelation of His glory also (as now, in the sharing of His sufferings) ye may rejoice (the word is the same), exulting.” Such a recognition of the meaning of suffering, such a rejoicing in suffering now, is a sure means to rejoicing in glory also hereafter.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

13. but rejoice] The words of the beatitude of Mat_5:12 come back upon the Apostle’s mind, and are reproduced as from his own personal experience. When he had first heard them, he may well have counted them a strange thing. Now he has tried and proved their truth.

inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings] The Greek conjunction expresses more than the ground of the joy. Men are to rejoice in proportion as they are sharers in the sufferings of Christ. On the thought of this intercommunion in suffering between Christ and His people, see note on chap. 1Pe_1:11. Here “the sufferings of Christ” are those which He endured while on earth, those also which He endures now as the Head of His body, the Church, in His infinite sympathy with each individual member. Each faithful sufferer, accordingly, in proportion to the measure of his sufferings, becomes ipso facto a sharer in those of Christ. He fills up, in St Paul’s bold language, “what was lacking in the sufferings of Christ” (Col_1:24).

that, when his glory shall be revealed] The thought is again closely parallel to that of chap. 1Pe_1:11. Literally the words run, in the revelation of His glory. As thought of by the Apostles, the “revelation of Christ” is identical with His coming to judge the quick and dead (Luk_17:30). The precise phrase “the revelation of His glory” is not found elsewhere, but it has an analogue in “the throne of His glory” in Mat_25:31.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings,.... Not of his personal sufferings; though they were partakers of the benefits and blessings which come through them, and result from them, such as justification, peace, and pardon, and which are matter and ground of rejoicing; but of the sufferings of his body, the church, which is mystically himself; and are called his, because of the union between him and his people, and the sympathy he bears to them, and because they are endured for the sake of him and his Gospel, and conform the saints, and make them like unto him; and therefore suffering saints should rejoice in this, that their sufferings are accounted by Christ as his own, who in all their afflictions is afflicted; and that they are honoured to suffer for his name's sake, and are hereby made like unto him:

that when his glory shall be revealed; the glory of his divine nature, as the only begotten Son of God, in which he will come and appear at the last day; and which, though incommunicable, will be more manifest to all men, and especially to the saints, who will know more of him, as the brightness of his Father's glory, and the express image of his person; and when the glory of his office, as Mediator, will be more conspicuous, and shall be beheld by all that the Father has given to him; and also the glory of his human nature, which is now crowned with glory and honour at the right hand of God; and likewise the glory which he has in his hands for his people, even eternal glory and happiness: this is now, in a great measure, unseen, but it will then be revealed, both to the saints and in them; they will appear with Christ in glory, and have a glory both upon their souls and bodies. As they suffer with him, and for his sake, they will be glorified with him, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's glory, and in the glory of his holy angels: the consideration of which, as it must greatly encourage to suffer for his sake, so must be matter of great joy; as follows:

ye may be glad also with exceeding joy; a joy unspeakable, and full of glory, being made partakers of the glory of Christ, either in beholding, or in possessing it.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

13 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, Act 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., Col 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.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings - That is, sufferings of the same kind that he endured, and inflicted for the same reasons. Compare Col 1:24; Jam 1:2; See the notes at Mat 5:12. The meaning here is, that they were to regard it as a matter of rejoicing that they were identified with Christ, even in suffering. See this sentiment illustrated at length in the notes at Phi 3:10.

That, when his glory shall be revealed - At the day of judgment. See the notes at Mat 26:30.

Ye may be glad also with exceeding joy - Being admitted to the rewards which he will then confer on his people. Compare 1Th 2:19. Every good man will have joy when, immediately at death, he is received into the presence of his Saviour; but his joy will be complete only when, in the presence of assembled worlds, he shall hear the sentence which shall confirm him in happiness forever.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

But rejoice; be so far from being offended at your sufferings, as rather to reckon that there is great matter of rejoicing in them; their being trials makes them tolerable, but your being in them partakers of Christ’s sufferings makes them comfortable.

Inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; i.e. ye suffer:

1. As Christ did, for the confession of the truth, and so ye are such kind of sufferers as Christ was.

2. As members of Christ, ye suffer those evils which are laid out for those that belong to Christ, 1Th 3:3.

3. Ye are hereby conformed to Christ your Head.

4. Ye partake of the influence of what Christ suffered, for the sanctification of your sufferings: see Phi 3:10.

That, when his glory shall be revealed; viz. at his second coming, 1Pe 1:7; Col 3:4; 2Th 1:7.

Ye may be glad also with exceeding joy; a joy without any the least mixture of pain or grief. The rejoicing of the saints here is mixed with pain and heaviness, but shall be pure hereafter; they rejoice in hope now, but in enjoyment then.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

13. Rejoice—Habitually.

Partakers of—In actual bodily sufferings for Christ’s sake, thus identifying them with him. Then, at the time of the revelation of his glory, (1Pe_1:7; 1Pe_1:13,) in the day of judgment, they will “also reign with him.” 2Ti_2:12.

Be glad—Better, rejoice.

The first rejoice is in sorrow and pain: this is with triumphant exultation.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ"s sufferings. St. Peter speaks in stronger language; he repeats the Lord"s words in), Mat_5:12. Christians should learn to rejoice in persecution; they must rejoice in so far as, in proportion as (kaqo) they are partakers of Christ"s sufferings (see 2Co_9:10; Php_3:10; Heb_13:13) Suffering meekly borne draws the Christian nearer to Christ, lifts him, as on a cross, nearer to the crucified Lord; but this it does only when he looks to Jesus in his suffering, when the eye of faith is fixed upon the cross of Christ. Then faith unites the sufferings of the disciple with the sufferings of his Lord; he is made a partaker of Christ"s sufferings; and so far as suffering has that blessed result, in such measure he must rejoice in his sufferings. That, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy; literally, that in the revelation of Ms glory also ye may rejoice exulting. The word for "exulting," ajgalliwmenoi, corresponds with that used in 1Pe_1:6 and inrete Mat_5:12 (cai kai ajgalliasqe). Joy in suffering now is the earnest of the great joy of the redeemed at the revelation of that glory which they now see through a glass darkly.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

But as ye partake of the sufferings of Christ - chap. 1, while ye suffer for his sake, rejoice in hope of more abundant glory. For the measure of glory answers the measure of suffering; and much more abundantly.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

13. Rejoice. Because thus you are made partakers of Christ's sufferings. See notes on Rom. 8:17, and 2 Cor. 1:7. At the revelation of his glory. All who suffer with him will be glorified.

B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.

13. καθὸ κοινωνεῖτε = in proportion as you have personal fellowship in the sufferings of the Christ. Christians are regarded not merely as suffering with (συμπάσχοντες) Christ, (Rom 8:17), but as members of His body they have a personal share in His sufferings, cf. Php 3:10; Col 1:24; 2Co 1:5. Suffering was the necessary prelude to glory in the case of Christ their Head, therefore His members can rejoice in present sufferings as being the prelude to glory in which they too will share when it is revealed. For rejoicing in suffering cf. Mat 5:12; Luk 6:23; Act 5:41; 2Co 6:10; Php 2:17; Col 1:24, etc.

χαίρετε ἵνα might possibly be explained as in Joh 8:56 “Your father Abraham ἠγαλλιάσατο ἵνα = rejoiced in the effort to see my day.” Abraham’s joy was that of anticipation and not that of present realization. So the joy of Christians in suffering is prompted by their anticipation of their exultation in the glory which is to follow. But it is simpler to regard joy in suffering as a preparation for the final joy. (See J. H. Moulton, Gram. pp. 205 ff.)

χαρῆτε ἀγαλλιώμενοι. ἀγαλλιᾶσθαι denotes exultant joy. Here such exultation is only regarded as possible when suffering culminates in glory, the joy during the process of suffering being of a more chastened character. But in 1Pe 1:6; 1Pe 1:8 ἀγαλλιᾶσθαι is used of the Christian’s present joy despite his griefs. The two words are combined in Mat 5:12; Rev 19:7.

Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges (Cambridge University Press, 1896; 21 vols, various authors incl. Carr, Maclear, Plummer, Farrar, Lumby, Moule, M. R. James, Simcox) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

13.] See above.

13.] but in as far as (καθό, not “in that,” “inasmuch as,” E. V., nor quando, Pott: see reff.) ye are partakers with the sufferings of Christ (i. e. have a share, in your own persons, of those sufferings which He personally bare: cf. 2Co 4:10; Php 3:10; Heb 13:13 &c. It is not the sufferings of Christ mystical in His Body the church (cf. Col 1:24) which are meant: in these the readers might bear their part, but could hardly be said κοινωνεῖν), rejoice, that (ἵνα simply of the scope of that joy, as the preparation for what follows) ye may also at (in, i. e. “in the day or time of:” not to be taken with χαρῆτε, as indicating that at which or because of which the joy takes place) the revelation of His glory rejoice (aor.: χαίρετε before, of the habit of life; now χαρῆτε, of the single event of that day) exulting (“quia prius illud cum dolore et tristitia mixtum est, secundum cum exultatione conjungit.” Calv.).

Henry Alford, The Greek Testament (1849–1861) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Inasmuch as ye are partakers. Compare Rom 8:17.

Be glad with exceeding joy [χαρητε αγαλλιωμενοι] . Lit., ye may rejoice exulting. See on ch. 1Pe 1:6.

Marvin R. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament (1887–1900) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.