This it is that fills you with joy, notwithstanding the various tryals, which still necessarily afflict you,

Although you have not seen Jesus, you [still] love Him and believe in Him, and this causes you to have an indescribable, glorious joy.

Even supposing you have to suffer for the sake of what is right, still you are blessed. Have no fear of their threats, do not let that trouble you,

To the end that, no longer, in men's covetings, but in God's will, ye may live, the still remaining time.

They are astonished that you are not still rushing hand in hand with them into the same excesses of profligate living, and they abuse you for it;

This is the purpose that the Gospel was preached to those who have died physically [for the faith]: It was so that, even though they had been judged physically [i.e., by suffering death at the hands of men], they could still live spiritually in the presence of God.

such was Sarah, who show'd her obeysance to Abraham, by stiling him her Lord: and you will be stiled her children, if you imitate her conduct, and are not to be terrified out of your virtue.