In order to communicate effectively the contrast indicated by Rather, it may be necessary to refer back to the content of verse 12, for example, “do not be surprised, but be glad” or “instead of being bewildered, be glad.”

Instead of being alarmed, bewildered or surprised, the Christians should be glad when they suffer, because they in effect share in Christ’s own suffering. This idea of joy in the midst of sadness is already found in 1.6. Christ’s sufferings as an example for the Christian to follow is mentioned in 2.21 and following, and 3.18 and following; what is new here is the idea that in suffering, Christians are in effect sharing in the sufferings of Christ. But what does sharing in Christ’s sufferings mean? (1) Christians are suffering in the same way that Christ had suffered (compare Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch “You receive part of what Christ had to suffer by your own suffering”; Moffatt “you are sharing what Christ suffered”); this would be a further statement of the imitatio Christi found in previous passages. (2) Sharing in Christ’s sufferings refers to the rite of baptism, in which the Christian symbolically experiences a death and a resurrection similar to Christ’s, and any suffering after baptism is suffering shared with Christ, since the Christian has already become part of the church, which is Christ’s mystical body. (3) The sufferings referred to here are part of what the early church understood as “messianic woes” before the end of the world. In view of the eschatological tone of the letter, and the reference to Christ’s glory being revealed in this verse, this interpretation has some merit. Furthermore, it is noted that Christ is literally “the Christ” or “the Messiah” and the use of the article before “Christ” is probably conditioned by the meaning of “suffering” which the writer had in mind. Although this third alternative is quite attractive, no modern translation, as far as one can ascertain, has opted for it. Therefore, in view of the theme of imitatio Christi which dominates some part of the letter, the first of these alternatives seems to be the most logical and offers the least difficulties in translation.

A strictly literal translation of you are sharing Christ’s sufferings may be misunderstood in a sense that “you are sharing in the result of Christ’s sufferings.” Another misinterpretation may result from understanding the expression as meaning that the Christian shares in the atoning work of Christ. It may therefore be better to avoid a term meaning “share” and to simply say “you are suffering in a way similar to the manner in which Christ suffered.”

That is literally “to the degree that” (compare Revised Standard Version “in so far as”; New American Bible “in the measure that”).

So that expresses the purpose of the Christian’s gladness in the face of persecution. You may be full of joy is literally “you may also rejoice and be glad,” an expression which is also found in Matthew 5.12. The expression refers to superlative joy; if the Christians are now glad because of their sufferings, then they will be much more glad afterwards (compare Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch “you will rejoice all the more”; Phillips “you will be filled with the most tremendous joy”; Jerusalem Bible “you will enjoy a much greater gladness”). In a number of languages it is quite impossible to speak of being “full of joy.” One can of course “be very joyous” or “be extremely happy” or “be even more happy,” but “to be full of an emotion” is a relatively rare way of speaking.

All of this will happen when his glory is revealed (literally “in the revelation of his glory”). This has reference, of course, to the second coming. Glory is a very difficult word to translate, since it has so many possible meanings in the New Testament; here it seems best to take it as referring to Christ himself and to his coming with power and greatness; when his glory is revealed may then be restated as “when he comes (again) with power and greatness.” It is very interesting to note that most translations referred to in the writing of this Handbook translate glory literally at this point, probably because of the difficulties involved in restructuring it.

Since glory must be rendered in a number of languages in terms of the wonderful character of something or someone, it may be possible to translate when his glory is revealed as “when people see how wonderful he is” or even “… how great he is.”

Quoted with permission from Arichea, Daniel C. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The First Letter from Peter. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1980. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .