An important theme of 1 Peter is the sufferings of Christ and the glory to follow, 1:11. Alongside this is a revelation about the sufferings of believers and their own future glory. They may suffer wrongfully, 2:19; for doing well, 2:20; for righteousness’ sake, 3:14; because they are Christians, 4:16; “according to the will of God,” 4:19; being called to this very experience, 2:20, 21.
Christians should not think that fiery trials are a strange thing. They are partakers of Christ’s sufferings in a world that hated Him, 1 Pet. 4:12, 13; John 15:18, 19. Reproach for His name means that the Spirit of glory already rests upon the believer, 1 Pet. 4:14. The remarkable connection between present sufferings and coming glory, mentioned in this passage, is found also in Rom. 8:17, 18. “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him,” 2 Tim. 2:12.
Present trials are only temporary. They are “for a season, if need be,” with praise, honor and glory to come when Christ appears, 1 Pet. 1:6, 7. In the meanwhile, blessings are promised in the present, 5:10. Christians who experience supernatural comfort during trials are enabled to comfort others because of it, 2 Cor. 1:3-6. One reason God has given us the Bible is so that we may find help and encouragement in the records of the suffering prophets, Jas. 5:10.
William Evans, The Great Doctrines of the Bible, (Chicago: Bible Institute Colportage Assoc., 1912), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 317-318.