1 Peter 5:10

The God of all grace. Rather, “the God of every grace.” The Father is the source of every good quality (cf. James 1:17; 1 Peter 4:10). The reference to God is an antithesis to “your adversary,” who is the chief subject of ch. 5:8, 9. The apostle has warned his readers about the devil’s operations, but now reminds them that God has not left them to their own human resources.

Who hath called. Or, “who called,” a reference to the invitation given by the gospel message, or, in a wider sense, to God’s original call implicit in the plan of salvation (see on Rom. 8:28-30; 1 Thess. 5:23, 24).

Us. Textual evidence favors (cf. p. 10) the reading “you.”

His eternal glory. See on Rom. 8:30; cf. John 12:28; 17:22.

By Christ Jesus. Literally, “in Christ Jesus.” Textual evidence favors (cf. p. 10) the omission of the name “Jesus.” God calls us through His Son (cf. on 2 Cor. 5:17). Some commentators prefer to link the words “in Christ” to the phrase “eternal glory,” believing Peter is speaking of the eternal glory revealed in Christ.

After that ye have suffered. That is, experienced the impending “fiery trial” (ch. 4:12). Peter does not minimize present suffering, but looks beyond it (cf. on Heb. 12:2). The NT freely acknowledges the prospect of suffering (Matt. 5:10-12; 10:17, 18; Rom. 8:17, 36; 2 Tim. 2:12).

A while. Or, “a little while” (see on Rev. 12:12). Although persecution may appear interminable at the time it is experienced, its duration is brief in the light of eternity, and the Christian may learn to view it from that perspective (cf. on 2 Cor. 4:17).

Make you perfect. Textual evidence favors (cf. p. 10) the reading “shall perfect,” omitting the word “you” (see on Matt. 5:48). The verb translated “to perfect” (katartizo) is elsewhere rendered “to mend,” “to repair” (Matt. 4:21; Mark 1:19), “to frame,” that is, to put in order, to arrange (Heb. 11:3), but is here used in an ethical sense, “to outfit completely.” God Himself (the Greek is thus emphatic) will equip the Christian to endure all the assaults Satan may bring against him.

Stablish. Gr. sterizo (see on Rom. 16:25; cf. Rom. 1:11; 2 Thess. 2:17; 3:3).

Strengthen. See Eph. 3:16; Phil. 4:13; 2 Tim. 4:17; see on 1 Tim. 1:12.

Settle. Gr. themeliod, “to lay the foundation,” from themelios, “foundation,” and hence, “to make stable.” In this verse Peter stresses the fact that God will endue the believer with everything needful to withstand the devil and his human agents, the persecutors.