Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Peter 1:6

"Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, ye have been put to grief in manifold trials," — 1 Peter 1:6 (ASV)

“In this” probably refers to anticipation of the future deliverance. As Christians long for their inheritance, they can “rejoice.” Peter goes on to emphasize that their suffering is brief, for the present time, and necessary (cf. “have had to”). That Peter uses “trials” (GK 4280) instead of “persecutions” (GK 1501) or “tribulations” (GK 2568) is significant. He is thinking in terms of the broadest category of the pagans’ attitude toward Christians rather than of specific actions.