Paragraph 1:6–9

1:6

The two parts of this verse contrast with each other. The believers greatly rejoiced in what God had done for them, even while they were enduring various kinds of troubles. The Berean Standard Bible and many other English versions supply a word like “though” to connect these ideas (1:6a and 1:6b). Consider the best way to connect them in your language, while also keeping the connection between verses 5 and 6.

In some languages it may be necessary to use two sentences. For example:

In this you greatly rejoice. It is true that now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.

1:6a

In this you greatly rejoice: There are two ways to interpret the Greek expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as In this you greatly rejoice :

(1) Peter’s readers rejoiced because of what God had done for them (1:3–5). For example:

This is a great joy to you (New Jerusalem Bible)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, New Century Version, NET Bible, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, God’s Word, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible)

(2) Peter was encouraging his readers to rejoice because of what God had done for them (1:3–5). For example:

Be glad about this (Good News Translation)

(New Living Translation (2004), Good News Translation)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), along with most English versions.

In this: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as this refers to all the blessings Peter mentioned in verses 3–5. It may be more natural in your language to use a plural form. For example:

You are extremely happy about these things (God’s Word)

greatly rejoice: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as greatly rejoice means “be very happy.” Some other ways to translate this word are:

extremely happy (God’s Word)
-or-
truly glad (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
are very glad

1:6b

though: The Berean Standard Bible has supplied the word though here to indicate contrast. See the note on 1:6 above. The believers had to suffer, but even so, they rejoiced. Some other ways to introduce this contrast is:

even though
-or-
although
-or-
in spite of

Use a natural way in your language to introduce such a contrast.

now: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as now is a time word. It refers to the time when Peter was writing. It contrasts with the future time of salvation in 1:5. Some other ways this may be translated are:

presently
-or-
at this time

for a little while: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for a little while refers here to a brief time. In this context it means that Peter’s readers would only have to suffer for a short time. The Lord would soon deliver them. Another way to translate this is:

for a short time (NET Bible)

you may have had to suffer grief: There are two ways to interpret Peter’s statement concerning to suffer grief in this context:

(1) Peter spoke of his readers’ suffering as a fact. He implied that his readers were already suffering. For example:

even though for a short time yet you must bear all sorts of trials (New Jerusalem Bible)

(New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word, New Jerusalem Bible, New Revised Standard Version, King James Version; probably New International Version, Revised English Bible)

(2) Peter spoke of his readers’ suffering as a possibility. He implied that it was possible that his readers might have to suffer or might have suffered. For example:

even if you have to go through many hard trials (Contemporary English Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, New Century Version, NET Bible, Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version; possibly New American Standard Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), which agrees with most commentators.

The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as you may have had to suffer grief is more literally “if necessary, you having been grieved.” This grieving from suffering had begun in the past, had continued in the present (“now”), and would continue for a little while in the future. So you should use an expression that would be as general as possible with regard to time.

suffer grief: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as suffer grief is literally “be grieved.” It refers to the grief, sadness or emotional pain that people feel when they have trouble. This is a passive verb, and it may be natural for some languages to translate it that way. For example, the English Standard Version says:

you have been grieved (English Standard Version)

1:6c

in various trials: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as various trials refers to the difficulties the people have been experiencing. Languages have different ways to express the experience of bearing such trials. Some ways to say this in English are:

to be sad…because of the many kinds of trials you suffer (Good News Translation)
-or-
to endure many trials (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
must bear all sorts of trials (New Jerusalem Bible)

trials: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as trials refers to the various problems and difficulties Peter’s readers were experiencing. These trials included troubles that came from other people who were persecuting them because they believed in Jesus Christ. Another way to say this is:

different kinds of trouble (God’s Word)

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