Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been put to grief in various trials,
though now for a season, if need be: The word "season" is from oligon, which means "little, small, few" (Wuest, I Peter 24). These many diversified persecutions are only for a season--a time that might be for a short period or it might be for the rest of one’s life. Even if the persecutions last a lifetime, heaven views them only as for a "season." And the Apostle Paul says that the reward is worth the difficulties, no matter how long they last. "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18).