1 Peter 4:13 Study Bible: But because you are partakers of Christ's sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory you also may rejoice with exceeding joy.

◄ 1 Peter 4:13 ►

But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory.

But rejoice
The Greek word for "rejoice" is "χαίρω" (chairō), which conveys a deep, abiding joy that transcends circumstances. In the context of 1 Peter, this joy is not a fleeting emotion but a profound state of being rooted in faith. Historically, early Christians faced persecution, and Peter's exhortation to rejoice would have been a radical call to embrace suffering with a perspective that sees beyond the immediate pain to the eternal joy promised by God.

that you share
The phrase "that you share" comes from the Greek "κοινωνέω" (koinōneō), meaning to have fellowship or partnership. This word implies a deep connection and participation in something greater than oneself. In the early church, sharing in Christ's sufferings was seen as a privilege, a way to be intimately connected with the Savior. This partnership in suffering is not passive but an active engagement in the life and mission of Jesus.

in the sufferings of Christ
"Sufferings" is translated from the Greek "παθήματα" (pathēmata), which refers to hardships or afflictions. The sufferings of Christ were not only physical but also spiritual and emotional, encompassing the totality of human pain. By sharing in these sufferings, believers are called to a profound identification with Christ, understanding that their trials are part of the larger narrative of redemption. Historically, this identification was a source of strength and hope for persecuted Christians.

so that you may be overjoyed
The phrase "so that you may be overjoyed" is derived from the Greek "ἀγαλλιάω" (agalliaō), which means to exult or be exceedingly glad. This joy is not just a future promise but a present reality that believers can experience even amid trials. The anticipation of future glory fuels present joy, creating a dynamic tension between the "now" and the "not yet" of Christian experience.

at the revelation of His glory
"Revelation" comes from the Greek "ἀποκάλυψις" (apokalypsis), meaning unveiling or disclosure. This term is often associated with the second coming of Christ, when His glory will be fully revealed. The "glory" (δόξα, doxa) of Christ is His divine majesty and splendor, which will be manifest to all creation. For early Christians, this revelation was the ultimate hope, a future certainty that provided strength and courage to endure present sufferings. The promise of witnessing Christ's glory is a powerful motivator for believers to remain steadfast in their faith.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Peter
The apostle Peter, one of Jesus' closest disciples, is the author of this epistle. He writes to encourage believers who are facing persecution.

2. Christ
Central to this verse, Christ's sufferings are what believers are called to share in. His life and sacrifice are the model for Christian endurance and joy in suffering.

3. Sufferings of Christ
Refers to the trials and tribulations that Jesus endured during His earthly ministry, culminating in His crucifixion.

4. Revelation of His Glory
This points to the future event of Christ's second coming, when His full glory will be revealed to all.

5. Believers
The recipients of Peter's letter, who are experiencing trials and are encouraged to find joy in their sufferings as they identify with Christ.

Teaching Points

Joy in Suffering
Christians are called to find joy in suffering, not because suffering is pleasant, but because it aligns them with Christ and His mission.

Eternal Perspective
Suffering is temporary, but the glory to be revealed is eternal. Keeping an eternal perspective helps believers endure present trials.

Identification with Christ
Sharing in Christ's sufferings deepens our relationship with Him and confirms our identity as His followers.

Hope in Revelation
The promise of Christ's return and the revelation of His glory provides hope and motivation to persevere through hardships.

Community Support
Believers are encouraged to support one another in suffering, fostering a community that reflects Christ's love and endurance.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does understanding the sufferings of Christ help you find joy in your own trials?

2. In what ways can you maintain an eternal perspective when facing difficulties in your life?

3. How can sharing in Christ's sufferings deepen your relationship with Him and with other believers?

4. What practical steps can you take to support fellow believers who are experiencing suffering?

5. How does the promise of the revelation of Christ's glory influence your daily walk with Him?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Romans 8:17
This verse speaks about being co-heirs with Christ and sharing in His sufferings in order to share in His glory, reinforcing the idea of suffering as a pathway to glory.

Philippians 3:10
Paul expresses a desire to know Christ and the power of His resurrection, and to share in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death.

James 1:2-4
James encourages believers to consider it pure joy when they face trials, as these trials produce perseverance and maturity in faith.

Sermons

Trials	J.R. Thomson	1 Peter 4:12, 13
The Christian's Fiery Trial	U.R. Thomas	1 Peter 4:12-14
A Hint to Meddlers	Scientific Illustrations	1 Peter 4:12-16
A Rejoicing Heart	Abp. Leighton.	1 Peter 4:12-16
Afflictions are Trials	John Rogers.	1 Peter 4:12-16
Mind Your Own Business	Great Thoughts	1 Peter 4:12-16
Not So Strange	F. B. Meyer, B. A.	1 Peter 4:12-16
Participation in Christ's Sufferings	Bp. Boyd Carpenter.	1 Peter 4:12-16
Participation in the Sufferings of Christ	J. Caird, D. D.	1 Peter 4:12-16
Righteous and Evil Suffering	J. J. S. Bird, B. A.	1 Peter 4:12-16
The Busybody	H. Melvill, B. D.	1 Peter 4:12-16
The Christian's Persecutions	J. J. S. Bird, B. A.	1 Peter 4:12-16
The Proper Temper of Christians in Affliction	The Evangelist	1 Peter 4:12-16
Trial no Strange Thing to the Christian	H. Melvill, B. D.	1 Peter 4:12-16
Trials no Strange Thing	N. L. Frothingham.	1 Peter 4:12-16
Fiery Trial Among the Christians	R. Finlayson	1 Peter 4:12-19
The Joyous Aspect of Suffering for Christ a Help to Persecuted Christians	C. New	1 Peter 4:12-19

People

Peter

Places

Asia, Bithynia, Cappadocia, Galatia, Pontus

Topics

Christ, Christ's, Contrary, Degree, Exceeding, Exultation, Exulting, Fellowship, Glad, Gladness, Glory, Inasmuch, Insomuch, Joy, Overjoyed, Pains, Partakers, Participate, Rejoice, Rejoicing, Revealed, Revelation, Seeing, Share, Sufferings, Triumphant, Unveiling

Dictionary of Bible Themes

1 Peter 4:13

     1403   God, revelation
     2024   Christ, glory of
     2565   Christ, second coming
     2570   Christ, suffering
     5766   attitudes, to life
     5836   disgrace
     5945   self-pity
     6214   participation, in Christ
     6756   union with Christ, significance
     7028   church, life of
     8217   conformity

1 Peter 4:10-13

8440 glorifying God

1 Peter 4:12-13

     6233   rejection, experience
     8289   joy, of church
     8485   spiritual warfare, conflict
     9315   resurrection, of believers

1 Peter 4:12-14

4938 fate, final destiny
8797 persecution, attitudes

1 Peter 4:12-16

     1620   beatitudes, the
     5115   Peter, preacher and teacher
     8484   spiritual warfare, enemies

1 Peter 4:12-19

2425 gospel, requirements
8215 confidence, results

1 Peter 4:13-14

3020 Holy Spirit, joy of
5893 insults

Library

Christian Asceticism
'Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin. 2. That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 3. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: 4. Wherein they think it …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Ephesians, Peter,John

June the Twenty-Sixth Crucifying the Flesh
"Arm yourselves likewise with the same mind." --1 PETER iv. 1-8. Let not the body be dominant, but the soul. Let me study the example and counsel of the Apostle Paul. "I keep my body under." Literally, I pummel it! If it is obtrusive and aggressive, its appetites clamouring for supremacy, I pummel it! Paul was not afraid of severe measures where carnality was concerned. He would fast a whole day in order to put the flesh in its place. And so should it be with all the Lord's children. We are …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

Personal Experience
In conclusion I desire to add my humble testimony of a personal experience of the glorious work of entire sanctification. At the age of seventeen years I was converted. All who were acquainted with me had no reason to doubt the genuine, inwrought grace of pardon and the new life which at once began to bring forth fruit unto God. But the one to whom this mighty change seemed the most marvelous was myself. My poor soul, which for several years had been held under the terrible bondage and darkness of …
J. W. Byers—Sanctification

The Old Man and the New.
"That we being dead unto sin should live unto righteousness."--1 Peter iv. 24. The Psalmist sings: "They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God." (Psalm lxxxiv. 7) We must maintain this glorious testimony, altho our own experience often seems to contradict it. Not experience, but the Scripture, teaches us divine truth; nor is it as tho the procedure of the divine operation in our own heart could differ from the testimony of the Sacred Scripture, but that our …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Man's Chief End
Q-I: WHAT IS THE CHIEF END OF MAN? A: Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever. Here are two ends of life specified. 1: The glorifying of God. 2: The enjoying of God. I. The glorifying of God, I Pet 4:4: That God in all things may be glorified.' The glory of God is a silver thread which must run through all our actions. I Cor 10:01. Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.' Everything works to some end in things natural and artificial; …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

A Battle with Smallpox
Soon after we began work in the city, my brother George went out to assist in a meeting at Edgewood, Iowa. A mother desired prayer for her little girl, so my brother and another minister laid hands on her and prayed for her healing. The mother said that some one thought her child was taking smallpox, but that she was sure it was a mistake. The ministers saw a few little pimples on the child's lip and asked her if the same breaking-out was on other parts of her body. The mother's answer was, "None …
Mary Cole—Trials and Triumphs of Faith

A Nickname Accepted
'The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch' --ACTS xi. 26. Nations and parties, both political and religious, very often call themselves by one name, and are known to the outside world by another. These outside names are generally given in contempt; and yet they sometimes manage to hit the very centre of the characteristics of the people on whom they are bestowed, and so by degrees get to be adopted by them, and worn as an honour. So it has been with the name 'Christian.' It was given …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

Of Avoiding of Curious Inquiry into the Life of Another
"My Son, be not curious, nor trouble thyself with vain cares. What is that to thee? Follow thou Me.(1) For what is it to thee whether a man be this or that, or say or do thus or thus? Thou hast no need to answer for others, but thou must give an answer for thyself. Why therefore dost thou entangle thyself? Behold, I know all men, and I behold all things which are done under the sun; and I know how it standeth with each one, what he thinketh, what he willeth, and to what end his thoughts reach. …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

Some Other Writers of the New Testament
[Illustration: (drop cap L) Ancient engraving of man reading scroll] Let us now look at the rest of the books which make up the New Testament. In the days when Paul preached at Athens, the old capital of Greece, much of the ancient splendour and power of the Greek people had passed away, for the Romans had conquered their country, and they were no longer a free nation. Yet, although the Greeks had been forced to yield to Rome, their conquerors knew that the Grecian scholars and artists were far …
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making

John Bunyan on the Terms of Communion and Fellowship of Christians at the Table of the Lord;
COMPRISING I. HIS CONFESSION OF FAITH, AND REASON OF HIS PRACTICE; II. DIFFERENCES ABOUT WATER BAPTISM NO BAR TO COMMUNION; AND III. PEACEABLE PRINCIPLES AND TRUE[1] ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. Reader, these are extraordinary productions that will well repay an attentive perusal. It is the confession of faith of a Christian who had suffered nearly twelve years' imprisonment, under persecution for conscience sake. Shut up with his Bible, you have here the result of a prayerful study of those holy …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The Wilderness State
"Ye now have sorrow: But I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you." John 16:22. 1. After God had wrought a great deliverance for Israel, by bringing them out of the house of bondage, they did not immediately enter into the land which he had promised to their fathers; but "wandered out of the way in the wilderness," and were variously tempted and distressed. In like manner, after God has delivered them that fear him from the bondage of sin and Satan; …
John Wesley—Sermons on Several Occasions

Of the Power of the Church in Articles of Faith. The Unbridled Licence of the Papal Church in Destroying Purity of Doctrine.
1. The marks and government of the Church having been considered in the seven previous chapters, the power of the Church is now considered under three heads--viz. Doctrine, Legislation, Jurisdiction. 2. The authority and power given to Church-officers not given to themselves, but their office. This shown in the case of Moses and the Levitical priesthood. 3. The same thing shown in the case of the Prophets. 4. Same thing shown in the case of the Apostles, and of Christ himself. 5. The Church astricted …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

The Disciple, -- what is the Meaning and Purpose of the Cross...
The Disciple,--What is the meaning and purpose of the cross, and why do pain and suffering exist in the world? The Master,--1. The cross is the key to heaven. At the moment when by My baptism I took the cross upon My shoulders for the sake of sinners, heaven was opened, and by means of My thirty-three years bearing of the cross and by death upon it, heaven, which by reason of sin was closed to believers, was for ever opened to them. Now as soon as believers take up their cross and follow Me they …
Sadhu Sundar Singh—At The Master's Feet

Seasonable Counsel: Or, Advice to Sufferers.
BY JOHN BUNYAN. London: Printed for Benjamin Alsop, at the Angel and Bible in the Poultry, 1684. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. THIS valuable treatise was first published in a pocket volume in 1684, and has only been reprinted in Whitfield's edition of Bunyan's works, 2 vols. folio, 1767. No man could have been better qualified to give advice to sufferers for righteousness' sake, than John Bunyan: and this work is exclusively devoted to that object. Shut up in a noisome jail, under the iron hand of …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

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