1 Peter 1:7

Mace New Testament

that your faith being put to a more advantageous proof, than that of gold, which loses by the essay, may redound to your praise and highest honour at the appearance of Jesus Christ:

Parallel Translations

New American Standard Bible (1995)
so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

Simplified Cowboy Version
These troubles make your faith stronger and make you authentic. Faith like this is worth more than all the cash and cattle in the world. Gold can be made pure through fire, but pure gold can ruin a man. Your faith will not.

Bible in Basic English
So that the true metal of your faith, being of much greater value than gold (which, though it comes to an end, is tested by fire), may come to light in praise and glory and honour, at the revelation of Jesus Christ:

Darby Translation
that the proving of your faith, much more precious than of gold which perishes, though it be proved by fire, be found to praise and glory and honour in [the] revelation of Jesus Christ:

World English Bible
that the proof of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes even though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ --

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
That the trial of your faith, which is much more precious than gold, (that perisheth, tho' it be tried with fire) may be found unto praise, and honour, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

Weymouth's New Testament
The sorrow comes in order that the testing of your faith--being more precious than that of gold, which perishes and yet is proved by fire--may be found to result in praise and glory and honour at the re-appearing of Jesus Christ.

King James Version (1611)
That the triall of your faith, being much more precious then of golde that perisheth, though it bee tryed with fire, might be found vnto praise, and honor, and glory, at the appearing of Iesus Christ:

Literal Translation
so that the proving of your faith, much more precious than perishing gold, but having been proved through fire, may be found to praise and honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
that youre faith once tryed (beynge moch more precious then the corruptible golde that is tryed thorow the fyre) might be founde vnto laude, glory and honoure at the appearynge of Iesus Christ:

Amplified Bible
so that the genuineness of your faith, which is much more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested and purified by fire, may be found to result in [your] praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

American Standard Version
that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold that perisheth though it is proved by fire, may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ:

Revised Standard Version
so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold which though perishable is tested by fire, may redound to praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
that youre fayth once tried beinge moche more precious then golde yt perissheth (though it be tried with fyre) myght be founde vnto lawde glory and honoure at the apperinge of Iesus Christ:

Update Bible Version
that the proof of your faith, [being] more precious than gold that perishes though it is proved by fire, may be found to praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ:

Webster's Bible Translation
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though tried with fire, might be found to praise, and honor, and glory, at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

Young's Literal Translation
that the proof of your faith -- much more precious than of gold that is perishing, and through fire being approved -- may be found to praise, and honour, and glory, in the revelation of Jesus Christ,

New Century Version
These troubles come to prove that your faith is pure. This purity of faith is worth more than gold, which can be proved to be pure by fire but will ruin. But the purity of your faith will bring you praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is shown to you.

New English Translation
Such trials show the proven character of your faith, which is much more valuable than gold—gold that is tested by fire, even though it is passing away—and will bring praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Berean Standard Bible
so that the proven character of your faith-more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Contemporary English Version
Your faith will be like gold that has been tested in a fire. And these trials will prove that your faith is worth much more than gold that can be destroyed. They will show that you will be given praise and honor and glory when Jesus Christ returns.

Complete Jewish Bible
Even gold is tested for genuineness by fire. The purpose of these trials is so that your trust's genuineness, which is far more valuable than perishable gold, will be judged worthy of praise, glory and honor at the revealing of Yeshua the Messiah.

English Standard Version
so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Geneva Bible (1587)
That the triall of your faith, being much more precious then golde that perisheth (though it be tried with fire) might bee founde vnto your praise, and honour and glorie at the appearing of Iesus Christ:

George Lamsa Translation
So that the proof of your faith, being much more precious than refined gold which has been purified by fire, may be made manifest for the glory and honour and praise at the appearing of Jesus Christ,

Christian Standard Bible®
so that the genuineness of your faith—more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Hebrew Names Version
that the proof of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes even though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Yeshua the Messiah --

International Standard Version
so that the genuineness of your faith, which is more valuable than gold that perishes when it is tested by fire, may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.Job 1:23:10; Psalm 66:10; Proverbs 17:3; Isaiah 48:10; Zechariah 13:9; Romans 2:7,10; 1 Corinthians 3:13; 4:5; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-12; James 1:3,12; 1 Peter 4:12;">[xr]

Etheridge Translation
that the proof of your faith may be seen, which is more precious than gold refined which is proved in fire, unto praise and unto honour and unto glory, at the revelation of Jeshu Meshiha;

Murdock Translation
so that the proof of your faith may appear more precious than refined gold that is tested by fire, unto glory and honor and praise, at the manifestation of Jesus the Messiah:

New King James Version
that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

New Living Translation
These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

New Life Bible
These tests have come to prove your faith and to show that it is good. Gold, which can be destroyed, is tested by fire. Your faith is worth much more than gold and it must be tested also. Then your faith will bring thanks and shining-greatness and honor to Jesus Christ when He comes again.

English Revised Version
that the proof of your faith, [being] more precious than gold that perisheth though it is proved by fire, might be found unto praise and glory and honour at the revelation of Jesus Christ:

New Revised Standard
so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
In order that the proving of your faith - much more precious than of gold that perisheth even though, by means of fire, it is proved - may be found unto praise and glory and honour in the revealing of Jesus Christ, -

Douay-Rheims Bible
That the trial of your faith (much more precious than gold which is tried by the fire) may be found unto praise and glory and honour at the appearing of Jesus Christ.

King James Version
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:

Lexham English Bible
so that the genuineness of your faith, more valuable than gold that is passing away, but is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

Bishop's Bible (1568)
That the triall of your fayth, beyng much more precious then golde that perisheth, though it be tried with fyre, myght be founde vnto laude, glorie, and honour, at the appearyng of Iesus Christe,

Easy-to-Read Version
These troubles test your faith and prove that it is pure. And such faith is worth more than gold. Gold can be proved to be pure by fire, but gold will ruin. When your faith is proven to be pure, the result will be praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ comes.

New American Standard Bible
so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which perishes though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

Good News Translation
Their purpose is to prove that your faith is genuine. Even gold, which can be destroyed, is tested by fire; and so your faith, which is much more precious than gold, must also be tested, so that it may endure. Then you will receive praise and glory and honor on the Day when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
that the preuyng of youre feith be myche more preciouse than gold, that is preuyd bi fier; and be foundun in to heriyng, and glorie, and onour, in the reuelacioun of Jhesu Crist.

Contextual Overview

⁶ This it is that fills you with joy, notwithstanding the various tryals, which still necessarily afflict you, ⁷ that your faith being put to a more advantageous proof, than that of gold, which loses by the essay, may redound to your praise and highest honour at the appearance of Jesus Christ: ⁸ whom though you have not seen, you love: and though he is not now the object of your view, yet you believe in him, and triumph with such a laudable transport, as cannot be express'd: ⁹ since the salvation of your souls is the reward you receive for your faith.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

the trial: 1 Peter 4:12, Job 23:10, Psalms 66:10-12, Proverbs 17:3, Isaiah 48:10, Jeremiah 9:7, Zechariah 13:9, Malachi 3:3, Romans 5:3, Romans 5:4, James 1:3, James 1:4, James 1:12, Revelation 2:10, Revelation 3:10

precious: 1 Peter 2:4, 1 Peter 2:7, Proverbs 3:13-15, Proverbs 8:19, Proverbs 16:16, 2 Peter 1:1, 2 Peter 1:4

that: Ecclesiastes 5:14, Jeremiah 48:36, Luke 12:20, Luke 12:21, Luke 12:33, Acts 8:20, James 5:2, James 5:3, 2 Peter 3:10-12, Revelation 18:16, Revelation 18:17

tried: 1 Peter 4:12, Job 23:10, Psalms 66:10, Proverbs 17:3, Isaiah 48:10, Zechariah 13:9, 1 Corinthians 3:13, Revelation 3:18

might: 1 Samuel 2:30, Matthew 19:28, Matthew 25:21, Matthew 25:23, John 5:44, John 12:26, Romans 2:7, Romans 2:29, 1 Corinthians 4:5, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-12, Jude 1:24

at: 1 Peter 1:5, Revelation 1:7

Reciprocal: Genesis 22:1 - God Exodus 15:25 - proved Exodus 37:4 - with gold Numbers 5:28 - And if Numbers 31:23 - abide Deuteronomy 8:2 - prove thee Deuteronomy 8:16 - to do thee Judges 3:1 - prove 1 Samuel 30:3 - burned 1 Kings 17:13 - make me thereof 1 Kings 17:17 - the son of the woman 2 Chronicles 32:31 - to try him Job 1:22 - In all this Job 2:3 - holdeth Job 7:18 - try Job 28:1 - where they fine it Psalms 11:5 - trieth Psalms 17:3 - proved Psalms 37:34 - exalt Psalms 94:19 - General Psalms 111:10 - his praise Psalms 139:23 - know Proverbs 21:21 - findeth Proverbs 25:3 - is unsearchable Proverbs 25:4 - General Proverbs 27:21 - the fining Proverbs 31:30 - she Isaiah 11:10 - his rest Isaiah 24:15 - glorify Isaiah 43:4 - thou hast been Jeremiah 6:29 - the founder Jeremiah 30:19 - I will Ezekiel 39:13 - a renown Daniel 11:35 - to try Daniel 12:10 - shall be Matthew 6:18 - shall Matthew 7:25 - the rain Luke 19:17 - Well John 12:43 - the praise of God Romans 2:10 - glory Romans 8:18 - I reckon Romans 8:23 - even we Romans 8:28 - we know Romans 16:10 - approved 1 Corinthians 3:12 - gold 1 Corinthians 10:13 - hath 2 Corinthians 4:8 - yet 2 Corinthians 4:17 - far 2 Corinthians 5:2 - we 2 Corinthians 10:18 - but 2 Corinthians 12:10 - I take Philippians 1:19 - I know 2 Thessalonians 1:12 - and ye 1 Timothy 6:14 - until 2 Timothy 2:21 - a vessel 2 Timothy 4:1 - at Titus 2:13 - the glorious Hebrews 11:1 - faith Hebrews 11:17 - when Hebrews 11:25 - Choosing James 5:11 - and have 1 Peter 1:6 - if 1 Peter 1:18 - corruptible 1 Peter 5:10 - after 1 John 2:28 - when Revelation 15:2 - mingled

Cross-References

Matthew 8:27
but the crew were all amaz'd; what is this man, said they, that even the winds and the sea obey him?

Gill's Notes on the Bible

That the trial of your faith,.... This is the principal end which God has in afflictive providences, to try the faith of his people; so the faith of Abraham, Job, Habakkuk, and others, have been tried:

being much more precious than of gold that perisheth: the grace of faith is much more precious than gold; since that perisheth by using, but faith does not; and since it is so valuable as not to be obtained by it; and since those that have it, though poor in this world, are rich, and heirs of a kingdom: but the trying of it is abundantly more precious than gold; for not only as gold being tried in the fire is purged from its dross, and is proved to be genuine and shines the brighter, so faith, being tried in the fire of afflictions, is purged from unbelief; and the believer is purged from his dross and tin, and his iniquity is purged, and the fruit of all is to take away sin; and he is tried and proved to be a true believer, and his faith shines the more illustriously, as in the above instances; yea, the very trying of it has an influence on other graces, for great usefulness; for the trying of faith works patience, and that, experience, and that, hope:

though it be tried with fire: either though gold be tried with fire, and so is greatly refined, yet it is more precious than that; or though faith be tried with the fire of afflictions, yet it is precious, and more precious than gold: and it is tried for this purpose,

that it might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ; who is now in the highest heavens, and out of sight, but will appear a second time without sin unto salvation, and every eye shall see him; and when the believer will be found in him, and his faith be found unto praise by him, he will have praise of him himself; it will be said unto him, "Well done, good and faithful servant"; his faith will be praised for its steadiness and constancy, notwithstanding all persecutions and tribulations; and his good works, the fruits of faith, will be taken notice of by him with commendation; he will be honoured, by being placed on the right hand of Christ, and by being set down with him in his throne, and having a crown of righteousness given to him; and he will be glorified both in soul and body; his body will be made like to Christ's glorious body, and his soul will have a glory revealed in it; and in his whole person he shall appear, when Christ does, with him in glory.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

That the trial of your faith - The putting of your religion to the test, and showing what is its real nature. Compare James 1:3, James 1:12.

Being much more precious than of gold - This does not mean that their faith was much more precious than gold, but that the testing of it, (δοκίμιον dokimion,) the process of showing whether it was or was not genuine, was a much more important and valuable process than that of testing gold in the fire. More important results were to be arrived at by it, and it was more desirable that it should be done.

That perisheth - Not that gold perishes by the process of being tried in the fire, for this is not the fact, and the connection does not demand this interpretation. The idea is, that gold, however valuable it is, is a perishable thing. It is not an enduring, imperishable, indestructible thing, like religion. It may not perish in the fire, but it will in some way, for it will not endure forever.

Though it be tried with fire - This refers to the gold. See the Greek. The meaning is, that gold, though it will bear the action of fire, is yet a destructible thing, and will not endure forever. It is more desirable to test religion than it is gold, because it is more valuable. It pertains to that which is eternal and indestructible, and it is therefore of more importance to show its true quality, and to free it from every improper mixture.

Might be found unto praise - That is, might be found to be genuine, and such as to meet the praise or commendation of the final judge.

And honor - That honor might be done to it before assembled worlds.

And glory - That it might be rewarded with that glory which will be then conferred on all who have shown, in the various trials of life, that they had true religion.

At the appearing of Jesus Christ - To judge the world. Compare Matthew 25:31; Act 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; 2Th 2:8; 1 Timothy 6:14; 2Ti 4:1, 2 Timothy 4:8; Titus 2:13. From these two verses 1 Peter 1:6-7 we may learn:

I. That it is desirable that the faith of Christians should be tried:

(a) It is desirable to know whether that which appears to be religion is genuine, as it is desirable to know whether that which appears to be gold is genuine. To gold we apply the action of intense heat, that we may know whether it is what it appears to be; and as religion is of more value than gold, so it is more desirable that it should be subjected to the proper tests, that its nature may be ascertained. There is much which appears to be gold, which is of no value, as there is much which appears to be religion, which is of no value. The one is worth no more than the other, unless it is genuine.

(b) It is desirable in order to show its true value. It is of great importance to know what that which is claimed to be gold is worth for the purposes to which gold is usually applied; and so it is in regard to religion. Religion claims to be of more value to man than anything else. It asserts its power to do that for the intellect and the heart which nothing else can do; to impart consolation in the various trials of life which nothing else can impart; and to give a support which nothing else can on the bed of death. It is very desirable, therefore, that in these various situations it should show its power; that is, that its friends should be in these various conditions, in order that they may illustrate the true value of religion.

(c) It is desirable that true religion should be separated from all alloy. There is often much alloy in gold, and it is desirable that it should be separated from it, in order that it may be pure. So it is in religion. It is often combined with much that is unholy and impure; much that dims its lustre and mars its beauty; much that prevents its producing the effect which it would otherwise produce. Gold is, indeed, often better, for some purposes, for having some alloy mixed with it; but not so with religion. It is never better for having a little pride, or vanity, or selfishness, or meanness, or worldliness, or sensuality mingled with it; and that which will remove these things from our religion will be a favor to us.

II. God takes various methods of trying his people, with a design to test the value of their piety, and to separate it from all impure mixtures:

(1) He tries his people by prosperity - often as decisive a test of piety as can be applied to it. There is much pretended piety, which will bear adversity, but which will not bear prosperity. The piety of a man is decisively tested by popularity; by the flatteries of the world; by a sudden increase of property; and in such circumstances it is often conclusively shown that there is no true religion in the soul.

(2) He tries his people in adversity. He lays his hand on them heavily, to show:

(a)Whether they will bear up under their trials, and persevere in his service;

(b)To show whether their religion will keep them from murmuring or complaining;

(c)To show whether it is adapted to comfort and sustain the soul.

(3) He tries his people by sudden transition from one to the other. We get accustomed to a uniform course of life, whether it be joy or sorrow; and the religion which is adapted to a uniform course may be little suited to transitions from one condition of life to another. In prosperity we may have shown that we were grateful, and benevolent, and disposed to serve God; but our religion will be subjected to a new test, if we are suddenly reduced to poverty. In sickness and poverty, we learn to be patient and resigned, and perhaps even happy. But the religion which we then cultivated may be little adapted to a sudden transition to prosperity; and in such a transition, there would be a new trial of our faith. That piety which shone so much on a bed of sickness, might be little suited to shine in circumstances of sudden prosperity. The human frame may become accustomed either to the intense cold of the polar regions, or to the burning heats of the equator; but in neither case might it bear a transition from one to the other. It is such a transition that is a more decisive test of its powers of endurance than either intense heat or cold, if steadily prolonged.

III. Religion will bear any trial which may be applied to it, just as gold will bear the action of fire.

IV. Religion is imperishable in its nature. Even the most pure gold will perish. Time will corrode it, or it will be worn away by use, or it will be destroyed at the universal conflagration; but time and use will not wear out religion, and it will live on through the fires that will consume everything else.

V. Christians should be willing to pass through trials:

1. They will purify their religion, just as the fire will remove dross from gold.
1. They will make it shine more brightly, just as gold does when it comes out of the furnace.
2. They will disclose more fully its value.
3. They will furnish an evidence that we shall be saved; for that religion which will bear the tests that God applies to it in the present life, will bear the test of the final trial.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 7. That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold — As by the action of fire gold is separated from all alloy and heterogeneous mixtures, and is proved to be gold by its enduring the action of the fire without losing any thing of its nature, weight, colour, or any other property, so genuine faith is proved by adversities, especially such as the primitive Christians were obliged to pass through. For the word was then, "Renounce Jesus and live," "Cleave to him and die;" for every Christian was in continual danger of losing his life. He then who preferred Christianity to his life gave full proof, not only of his own sincerity, but also of the excellency of the principle by which he was influenced; as his religion put him in possession of greater blessings, and more solid comforts, than any thing the earth could afford.

Though it be tried with fire — That is: Though gold will bear the action of the fire for any given time, even millions of years, were they possible, without losing the smallest particle of weight or value, yet even gold, in process of time, will wear away by continual use; and the earth, and all its works, will be burnt up by that supernatural fire whose action nothing can resist. But on that day the faith of Christ's followers will be found brighter, and more glorious. The earth, and universal nature, shall be dissolved; but he who doeth the will of God shall abide for ever, and his faith shall then be found to the praise of God's grace, the honour of Christ, and the glory or glorification of his own soul throughout eternity. God himself will praise such faith, angels and men will hold it in honour, and Christ will crown it with glory. For some remarks on the nature and properties of gold see at the end of the chapter.