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translates the passage, "the sufferings which [belonged] to Christ", and Rotherham
renders it, "the sufferings for Christ". The same Greek word eis is used by Peter in 1: 4,
"reserved in heaven for you", and in 2: 14 "sent for punishment". We can therefore
truthfully render the passage with Rotherham, "the sufferings for Christ". Let us now
look at the context. "If need be", those who had been begotten unto a living hope were in
heaviness for a season through manifold temptations, they were passing through the fiery
trial of faith, looking forward to the day of Christ's revelation when they would be found
unto praise, honour and glory, this being "the end of their faith", viz., "the salvation of
their souls".
This salvation must not be confused with salvation from sin. The believer whose
salvation in that respect is secure may lose or may save his soul according as he suffers
for Christ, or makes friends with the world. Of this particular aspect of salvation the
prophets who prophesied have inquired and searched diligently; of what did they
prophesy? They prophesied of the sufferings of Christ certainly, but in this instance Peter
has another phase of truth in hand, and so he says that they prophesied of the grace that
should come unto you. Now this grace might be the sufferings of Christ on our behalf,
but the apostle continuing says:--
"Searching unto what, or what manner of season, the Spirit of Christ which was in
them pointed out, testifying before the sufferings FOR Christ and the glories after these;
to whom it was revealed that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister those
things, which have now been announced to you by those who have preached the gospel
unto you with holy spirit sent down from heaven, which things angels desire to look into.
Wherefore having girded up the loins of your mind, being sober, do you hope perfectly
for the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
This unity of theme is clearly seen in the structure of the passage which we set out as
follows:--
I Peter 1: 3-13.
Glory after suffering for a season.
B
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a | 3, 4. The Living hope. Inheritance reserved in heaven for you.
b | 5. Kept through faith unto salvation in the last time.
c | 6, 7-. Trial of faith followed by glory.
d | -7. At the revelation of Jesus Christ.
b | 8, 9. Obtaining the end of faith salvation of souls.
c | 10-12. Sufferings for Christ followed by glory.
a | 13-. The perfect hope. Grace brought to you.
d | -13. At the revelation of Jesus Christ.
We trust the earnest student will compare each section of this structure and observe
how the one theme, the believer's suffering and corresponding glory, is developed, and
founded upon the revelation of Jesus Christ.
The next reference to suffering is found in 2: 19, where the apostle speaks of
suffering unjustly for conscience sake towards God. To enforce the needed lesson in
patience he reminds his readers of the sufferings of Christ:--