And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
1 Peter 5:10
The context of this verse is Peter’s letter to the early Christian churches in various regions, encouraging and exhorting them to remain faithful to God despite the persecution and suffering they were facing. In the preceding verses, Peter encourages the church leaders to be humble and serve as good examples to their congregations, reminding them that they will receive a crown of glory when Christ returns.
In verse 10, Peter emphasizes the character of God as the “God of all grace,” who has called believers to share in his eternal glory through their faith in Christ. Peter acknowledges that suffering is a reality for Christians, but he also reassures them that their suffering is temporary and will ultimately lead to their restoration and strengthening in Christ.
The phrase “after you have suffered a little while” does not necessarily mean that believers will only experience brief periods of suffering. Instead, it implies that the duration of suffering, in the grand scheme of eternity, is relatively short. God’s promise is that he will bring about restoration, strength, and steadfastness in his people through their suffering, and that they will ultimately share in his glory.
Overall, 1 Peter 5:10 provides a message of hope and encouragement to those facing difficult circumstances, reminding them that God’s grace is sufficient to sustain them through their trials and that their suffering will not be in vain.