The Global Fellowship of Believers

1 Peter 5:9b "...knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world."

The issue of suffering is a big theme in this book. From the beginning of the book until the end, Peter addresses the recipients' suffering and encourages them to press on and to look to Christ as their model in suffering. It is a strong human tendency to when faced with suffering to despair and to feel alienated, which is why Peter first encouraged them to resist the devil and stand firm in their faith (the opposite of despairing) and then reminded them that they are not alone in this experience (not alienated).

It is easy to think when faced with suffering, "Why me?! No one could understand what I'm going through!" It is easy to forget that suffering is the normal, universal reality of living in a depraved world, and that suffering is an even greater reality for the Christian because suffering is the primary means through which our loving Heavenly Father draws us from a brash, self-absorbed life of rebellion to a continual state of humble dependence on Himself. Suffering is not enjoyable, but when we experience it, the well of our soul is deepened to allow us to experience a fuller and greater joy of relationship with Almighty God. This happens because our soul has been further refined and has had more of its dross removed, allowing us to live a purer life in Christ and able to see our loving Father more clearly - "blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."

The word "accomplished" stuck out to me in this verse. I thought it was interesting that Peter said "that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren..." Why did Peter use the word accomplished instead of another word like experienced or endured? Because the word accomplished stood out so uniquely, I did some research and discovered that the Greek definition for accomplished actually means "to fulfill further, or to fulfill completely; to perfect." Essentially, what Peter is saying is that the suffering experienced by Christ in His sacrificial love is being fulfilled further by believers around the world.

The fact that Christ's suffering is being fulfilled completely and perfected in believers does not imply that His suffering was insufficient. It simply, but very significantly, means that believers around the world are sacrificing their lives for the sake of the Gospel and for the glory of Christ. Jesus' suffering was perfect and sufficient, but our suffering as believes fulfills and perfects in us what He accomplished on the cross. Therefore when Peter admonishes us to resist the devil and to stand firm in our faith because the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren, he is saying, you are not alone in this battle! There are countless others just like you who are enduring shame and suffering for the sake of Christ. Stand firm! Be bold! Resist the devil! Be encouraged! The battle is almost over, and when it is over, having show yourself faithful, you will receive a crown of life! This ought to spur us on to pray for our brethren around the world who are suffering for the sake of Christ. And it should also be an encouragement to us when we experience suffering, knowing that we suffer for the sake of the Gospel and the glory of Christ along with our brethren who are in the world.