Come to me, all of you who are overworked and overburdened and I will give you rest [i.e., spiritual refreshment].
1 Peter 1:6 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition) Because of this you can be very joyous, even though it is necessary for you to have suffered many trials for a little while. More versionsKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: Amplified Bible - Classic Edition [You should] be exceedingly glad on this account, though now for a little while you may be distressed by trials and suffer temptations, American Standard Version (1901) Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, ye have been put to grief in manifold trials, Common English Bible You now rejoice in this hope, even if it’s necessary for you to be distressed for a short time by various trials. Catholic Public Domain Version In this, you should exult, if now, for a brief time, it is necessary to be made sorrowful by various trials, Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version Wherein you shall greatly rejoice, if now you must be for a little time made sorrowful in divers temptations: |
Come to me, all of you who are overworked and overburdened and I will give you rest [i.e., spiritual refreshment].
He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee [i.e., James and John] with Him, and [soon] began to be grieved and very distressed.
Be happy and very glad, for your reward in heaven will be great. For they persecuted the prophets [who lived] before you in the same way.
Nevertheless, do not rejoice over the [evil] spirits submitting to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven [i.e., in the book of life. See Rev. 3:5; Heb. 12:23].”
And the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for look, I am bringing good news that will cause great joy to all people.
So, you men also will experience grief [i.e., over my suffering and death], but I will see you again and your hearts will be glad. And no one will take away your joy.
I have said these things to you so that you can have peace in [fellowship with] me. You will have trouble in the world, but cheer up, for I have conquered the world.”
[Along the way] they strengthened the hearts of the disciples, urging them to continue [to believe and practice] the faith and [explaining] that entering God's [heavenly] kingdom [See II Tim. 4:18] requires enduring many trials.
Be joyful as you hope [i.e., for future blessings]. Persevere in spite of the troubles you experience. Continue steadfastly in prayer.
Therefore, just as sin came into the world through [the action of] one man [i.e., Adam] and [physical] death through that sin, so [physical] death has spread to all people, because all people have sinned. [Note: This difficult passage (verses 12-21) seems to be saying that the entire human race must experience physical death because of Adam’s sin (I Cor. 5:22), which is somehow considered to be everyone’s sin. See Murray, pp. 180-187, for a thorough discussion].
And not only this, but we also rejoice in our troubles, knowing that [experiencing] troubles produces endurance;
For our insignificant troubles [here on earth], which last only a short time, are producing for us an immeasurable, never ending [counter-] weight of splendor [i.e., in heaven. See Rom. 8:18]
sad and yet always joyous; poor and yet making many people [spiritually] rich; destitute and yet possessing everything.
But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness,
For he longed to see all of you and was very distressed because you had heard that he was sick.
For we [Christians] are the [true] circumcision [i.e., the real “Jews” in God’s eyes. See Rom. 2:28-29]. We worship by means of God’s Holy Spirit [i.e., are empowered and motivated by the Holy Spirit], and boast in [the person and work of] Christ Jesus, and [we] place no confidence in the flesh [i.e., in any outward ritual or status for salvation].
Rejoice in [fellowship with] the Lord all the time. I will say it again: Rejoice!
And you became imitators of us and of the Lord. [And even though] you suffered much affliction, you welcomed the message with joy [given to you] by the Holy Spirit,
Consider it [an occasion for] much joy, my brothers, when you experience various trials,
But the person [who must live] in humble circumstances should be happy over being lifted up [spiritually by God].
Be distressed and grieve and cry [over your sins]; your laughter should turn into grieving and your joy [should turn] into sorrow.
For, if it is God’s will that you should suffer, it is better [for you] that it be on account of doing right than doing wrong.
But the end of everything [as far as your lives are concerned] is near, so be sensible, and sober [so as to be] prayerful.
And the God who bestows every unearned favor [upon His people], who invited you to partake of His eternal splendor through Christ Jesus, will restore, confirm, strengthen and stabilize you people [in the faith], after you have gone through a brief time of suffering.