No.7. “Joy unspeakable” (I Pet. i. 8).


There are two “unspeakable” blessings which help to fill the believer’s cup to overflowing. We have very lightly touched upon one, “The unspeakable gift”, let us consider the other, “Joy unspeakable”. It has been well observed, that “happiness” differs very essentially from “joy”. Happiness depends largely upon “what happens” and consequently is of necessity superficial. Joy on the other hand is independent of external happenings. It is one of the graces that constitute “the fruit of the Spirit”, and comes second only to “love” (Gal. v. 22).

When the Lord would bring before the believer the reward which was in reserve for faithful service, He spoke of it in two ways.

(1) “I will make thee ruler over many things”;
(2) “Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord” (Matt. xxv. 21).

This aspect of the subject does not appear to have been given sufficient prominence in our thoughts. Let us pursue it further.

In the epistle to the Hebrews, chara “joy” is used four times and in each case it appears to be associated with suffering and reward. The four occasions are as follows:

(1) Ye . . . . . took joyfully the spoiling of your goods . . . . . great recompense of reward (Heb. x. 34).
(2) Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God (Heb. xii. 2).
(3) No chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward . . . . . (Heb. xii. 11).
(4) They watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy (Heb. xiii. 17).

Both the epistle to the Hebrews, and the epistle to Peter have in common the theme, “Present suffering and future reward”. “Suffering” and “rejoicing” are close companions in the epistle of Peter.

“Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations; that the trial of your faith being much more precious than of gold that perisheth though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen ye love; in Whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory” (I Pet. i. 6-8).

Peter, therefore, and those of like precious faith, could most certainly say, in view of this unspeakable joy:

“My cup runneth over.”

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(From The Berean Expositor Volume 37, page 128.)

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