1 Peter 5:9

Whom resist steadfast in the faith ; comp. James 4:7 , where the same word, ἀντίστητε , is used; the close resemblance seems to indicate St. Peter's knowledge of the Epistle of St. James; comp. also St. Paul in Ephesians 6:13 , etc. The Greek word for "steadfast" στεροί is emphatic; it implies solidity, rocklike firmness. Only faith can give that steadfastness—faith in Christ, the one Foundation, the Rock on which the Christian's house is built. Faith here is trustfulness rather than objective truth. Therefore the rendering of the Revised Version seems preferable, "in your faith," the article having, as often, a possessive meaning. Knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world ; literally, the same ( forms ) of afflictions τὰ αὐτὰ τῶν παθημάτων unusual construction with the pronoun, though common with adjectives, intended to give emphasis; the sufferings were the very same. The infinitive is present; it should therefore be rendered, "are being accomplished." The persecutions were now beginning to break out. The word for "brethren" is the collective, ἀδελφότης , brotherhood, which we met with in 1 Peter 2:17 . The dative is that of reference—"in" or "for" the brotherhood. (For the words, "in the world," comp. John 16:33 , "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.") There is another way of taking the clause. The unusual construction (in the Greek Testament) of the accusative and infinitive, which, indeed, occurs nowhere else with εἰδώς , has led Herman and others to take the verb ἐπιτελεῖσθαι as middle, and to connect the dative, " for the brotherhood," with τὰ αὐτά , the same. Thus the translation will be, " Knowing how to pay the same tribute of affliction as your brethren in the world." This seems forced and unnecessary. Huther gives another possible translation, which he thinks preferable to all others: " Knowing [or better rather, 'considering'] that the same sufferings are accomplishing themselves in the brethren."