Peter’s readers in Asia Minor should know that they are not unique in their experience of suffering (including the devil’s rage). Every Christian of every age and place experiences the reality of God’s promise in Genesis 3:15, John 15:18–20, and 2 Timothy 3:12–13. So Peter’s readers should not get caught up in self-pity or self-blame; such suffering is par for the course. The devil, we might say, is a poor loser.
9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.