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THE MESSAGE

1 Peter 4:12

Friends, when life gets really difficult, don't jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Afflictions and Adversities;   Commandments;   Constancy;   Happiness;   Persecution;   Resignation;   Temptation;   Thompson Chain Reference - Afflicted, Promises, Divine;   Afflictions;   Blessings-Afflictions;   God's;   Joy;   Joy-Sorrow;   Promises, Divine;   Refining, Spiritual;   Rejoicing;   Trials;   The Topic Concordance - Happiness/joy;   Partaking;   Suffering;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Encouragement;   Fellowship;   Government;   Mark, gospel of;   Persecution;   Peter, letters of;   Sorrow;   Testing;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Constancy;   Faithfulness of God;   Heart;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Temptation;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - James, the General Epistle of;   Peter;   Peter, the Epistles of;   Salt;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Persecution in the Bible;   Suffering;   1 Peter;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Peter, First Epistle of;   Spiritual Gifts;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Comfort;   Fire;   Peter Epistles of;   Temptation, Trial;   Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types - Fiery;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Fire;   Happen;   Persecution;   Peter, Simon;   Peter, the First Epistle of;   Phygelus;   Rome;  

Devotionals:

- Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life - Devotion for March 5;   Daily Light on the Daily Path - Devotion for November 30;   Every Day Light - Devotion for April 8;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you as if something unusual were happening to you.
King James Version (1611)
Beloued, thinke it not strange concerning the fiery triall, which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened vnto you.
King James Version
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
English Standard Version
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
New American Standard Bible
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though something strange were happening to you;
New Century Version
My friends, do not be surprised at the terrible trouble which now comes to test you. Do not think that something strange is happening to you.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;
Berean Standard Bible
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you.
Contemporary English Version
Dear friends, don't be surprised or shocked that you are going through testing that is like walking through fire.
Complete Jewish Bible
Dear friends, don't regard as strange the fiery ordeal occurring among you to test you, as if something extraordinary were happening to you.
Darby Translation
Beloved, take not [as] strange the fire [of persecution] which has taken place amongst you for [your] trial, as if a strange thing was happening to you;
Easy-to-Read Version
My friends, don't be surprised at the painful things that you are now suffering, which are testing your faith. Don't think that something strange is happening to you.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Dearely beloued, thinke it not strange concerning the firie triall, which is among you to proue you, as though some strange thing were come vnto you:
George Lamsa Translation
My beloved, do not think it strange at the trials that come upon you, as though some strange thing happened to you: because these things are to prove you.
Good News Translation
My dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful test you are suffering, as though something unusual were happening to you.
Lexham English Bible
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, when it takes place to test you, as if something strange were happening to you.
Literal Translation
Beloved, do not be astonished at the fiery trial happening among you for your testing, as if a surprise were occurring to you;
Amplified Bible
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test you [that is, to test the quality of your faith], as though something strange or unusual were happening to you.
American Standard Version
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial among you, which cometh upon you to prove you, as though a strange thing happened unto you:
Bible in Basic English
Dear brothers, do not be surprised, as if it was something strange, if your faith is tested as by fire:
Hebrew Names Version
Beloved, don't be astonished at the fiery trial which has come upon you, to test you, as though a strange thing happened to you.
International Standard Version
Dear friends, do not be surprised by the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.1 Corinthians 3:13; 1 Peter 1:7;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
My beloved, be not amazed at the temptations which you have, as that something strange happeneth to you, because for your probation they have been;
Murdock Translation
My beloved, be not dismayed at the trials that befall you, as if some strange thing had come upon you; for these things are for your probation.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Dearely beloued, thinke it not straunge concerning the fierie triall, which thing is to trye you, as though some straunge thyng happened vnto you.
English Revised Version
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial among you, which cometh upon you to prove you, as though a strange thing happened unto you:
World English Bible
Beloved, don't be astonished at the fiery trial which has come upon you, to test you, as though a strange thing happened to you.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Beloved, wonder not at the burning which is among you, which is for your trial, as if some strange thing befell you: But as ye partake of the sufferings of Christ,
Weymouth's New Testament
Dear friends, do not be surprised at finding that that scorching flame of persecution is raging among you to put you to the test--as though some surprising thing were accidentally happening to you.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Amen. Moost dere brytheren, nyle ye go in pilgrymage in feruour, that is maad to you to temptacioun, as if ony newe thing bifalle to you;
Update Bible Version
Beloved, don't think it strange concerning the fiery trial among you, which comes on you to prove you, as though a strange thing happened to you:
Webster's Bible Translation
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you:
New English Translation
Dear friends, do not be astonished that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as though something strange were happening to you.
New King James Version
Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;
New Living Translation
Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.
New Life Bible
Dear friends, your faith is going to be tested as if it were going through fire. Do not be surprised at this.
New Revised Standard
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Beloved! be not held in surprise by the burning among you, which, for putting you to the proof, is befalling you, as though a, surprising, thing were happening unto you;
Douay-Rheims Bible
Dearly beloved, think not strange the burning heat which is to try you: as if some new thing happened to you.
Revised Standard Version
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which comes upon you to prove you, as though something strange were happening to you.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Dearly beloved be not troubled in this heate which now is come amoge you to trye you as though some strauge thinge had happened vnto you:
Young's Literal Translation
Beloved, think it not strange at the fiery suffering among you that is coming to try you, as if a strange thing were happening to you,
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Derely beloued, maruell not at this heate (which is come amoge you to trye you) as though some strauge thinge happened vnto you:
Mace New Testament (1729)
My dear brethren, don't be surpriz'd at your being brought as it were to the test of fire; as if some strange thing had happen'd to you.
Simplified Cowboy Version
Don't wig out when you suffer for the sake of Christ. It don't mean you're doing something wrong. It means you're doing something right.

Contextual Overview

12Friends, when life gets really difficult, don't jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner. 14If you're abused because of Christ, count yourself fortunate. It's the Spirit of God and his glory in you that brought you to the notice of others. If they're on you because you broke the law or disturbed the peace, that's a different matter. But if it's because you're a Christian, don't give it a second thought. Be proud of the distinguished status reflected in that name! 17It's judgment time for God's own family. We're first in line. If it starts with us, think what it's going to be like for those who refuse God's Message! If good people barely make it, What's in store for the bad? So if you find life difficult because you're doing what God said, take it in stride. Trust him. He knows what he's doing, and he'll keep on doing it.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

think: 1 Peter 4:4, Isaiah 28:21

the fiery: 1 Peter 1:7, Daniel 11:35, 1 Corinthians 3:13

as: 1 Peter 5:9, 1 Corinthians 10:13, 1 Thessalonians 3:2-4, 2 Timothy 3:12

Reciprocal: Numbers 31:23 - abide Judges 3:1 - prove 2 Samuel 16:12 - requite 1 Kings 17:17 - the son of the woman Psalms 11:5 - trieth Psalms 34:19 - Many Proverbs 27:17 - so Proverbs 27:21 - the fining Isaiah 24:15 - glorify Isaiah 43:2 - when thou walkest Isaiah 48:10 - I have refined Isaiah 66:5 - but Jeremiah 6:29 - the founder Jeremiah 9:7 - I will Jeremiah 12:5 - thou hast Ezekiel 22:15 - consume Daniel 3:23 - fell Habakkuk 3:18 - I will rejoice Zechariah 13:9 - bring Malachi 3:3 - sit Matthew 5:10 - are Mark 8:35 - for Mark 10:30 - with persecutions Luke 6:22 - when men Luke 21:12 - before John 12:42 - lest Acts 14:22 - we Romans 8:35 - shall tribulation 1 Corinthians 4:12 - being persecuted 2 Corinthians 4:8 - yet Philippians 1:13 - in Christ Philippians 1:28 - an 1 Thessalonians 3:3 - moved Hebrews 11:17 - when Hebrews 11:25 - Choosing Hebrews 11:34 - Quenched 1 Peter 4:19 - let Revelation 3:10 - to try Revelation 15:2 - mingled

Cross-References

Genesis 4:3
Time passed. Cain brought an offering to God from the produce of his farm. Abel also brought an offering, but from the firstborn animals of his herd, choice cuts of meat. God liked Abel and his offering, but Cain and his offering didn't get his approval. Cain lost his temper and went into a sulk.
Genesis 4:17
Cain slept with his wife. She conceived and had Enoch. He then built a city and named it after his son, Enoch. Enoch had Irad, Irad had Mehujael, Mehujael had Methushael, Methushael had Lamech.
Genesis 4:23
Lamech said to his wives, Adah and Zillah, listen to me; you wives of Lamech, hear me out: I killed a man for wounding me, a young man who attacked me. If Cain is avenged seven times, for Lamech it's seventy-seven!
Leviticus 26:36
"As for those among you still alive, I'll give them over to fearful timidity—even the rustle of a leaf will throw them into a panic. They'll run here and there, back and forth, as if running for their lives even though no one is after them, tripping and falling over one another in total confusion. You won't stand a chance against an enemy. You'll perish among the nations; the land of your enemies will eat you up. Any who are left will slowly rot away in the enemy lands. Rot. And all because of their sins, their sins compounded by their ancestors' sins.
Hosea 9:17
My God has washed his hands of them. They wouldn't listen. They're doomed to be wanderers, vagabonds among the godless nations.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial,.... By which may be meant either the destruction of Jerusalem, which was at hand, and of which the apostle may be thought to give the Jews he writes to notice of before hand; that they might be prepared for it, and not be overwhelmed with consternation and amazement when they should hear of it; who, though in other countries, must be affected with it, and would be a trying dispensation to them: or else the afflictions and persecutions which daily come upon them, for the sake of Christ and his Gospel; signified by "fire" or "burning", because grievous to the flesh, and gave great uneasiness, distress, and pain to it; and because of the fury of men, and the violence and fierceness of their rage, expressed thereby; as also because the people of God under them are sometimes ready to conceive that the wrath of God is poured out, like fire, upon them. But the apostle would not have these saints entertain any such thoughts, and therefore he calls them "beloved"; that is, of God, as they were notwithstanding all the fiery trials and afflictions which were brought upon them; or he means, that they were beloved by him, and dear unto him, and other saints, though they were ill treated and reproached by the world: the Syriac and Arabic versions read, "my beloved"; and the Ethiopic version, "our brethren": and the apostle exhorts them not to look upon their afflictions that either did or should attend them as strange and uncommon things; since afflictions, of whatsoever kind, are not things of chance, and do not rise up out of the dust, but are by the appointment, and according to the will of God; and are also the common lot of the people of God in all ages, from the beginning of the world, the same afflictions are accomplished in others; yea, Christ himself endured the same hatred, reproach, and contradiction of sinners, against himself; and they are what he has given his people reason to expect, having told them of them before hand, that they might not be offended at them; and as they lay in his way to glory, it need not seem strange that the saints also should, through many tribulations, enter the kingdom. Moreover, this fiery dispensation, be it what it will, was not to destroy them, but to try them, and that for their good, profit, and advantage; just as gold and silver are tried in the fire, and lose their dross, and become purer and brighter:

which is to try you; afflictions try the graces of the saints; as their faith in Christ, which becomes thereby much more precious than of gold that perisheth; and their love to him, by which it appears that no tribulation can separate them from it, nor many waters and floods of afflictions drown it; and their hope of eternal life, which grows more lively and strong, and is as an anchor, sure and steadfast, amidst the greatest storms. These try a man's profession of religion, whether it is took up on good principles, and without sinister views; since, if it is not, when persecution, because of the word, comes, he is offended and gone; and likewise what a man's principles are, whether worth suffering for or not; and whether they will bear him up, and he abide by them, when called to suffer for them; and therefore, since such ends are answered by fiery trials, they should not be looked upon as strange and unusual things: as though some strange thing happened unto you; which was never known and heard of before; and as if useless, and of no service, and as foreign to the characters, cases, and circumstances of the saints in this world. The apostle in this verse returns to his former argument, to animate and encourage the saints in suffering afflictions patiently for righteousness sake.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Beloved, think it not strange - Do not consider it as anything which you had no reason to expect; as anything which may not happen to others also.

Concerning the fiery trial which is to try you - Referring, doubtless, to some severe persecution which was then impending. We have not the means of determining precisely what this was. The word rendered “fiery trial” (πυρώσει purōsei) occurs only here and in Revelation 18:9, Revelation 18:18; in both of which latter places it is rendered burning. It means, properly, a being on fire, burning, conflagration; and then any severe trial. It cannot be demonstrated from this word that they were literally to suffer by fire, but it is clear that some heavy calamity was before them.

As though some strange thing happened unto you - Something unusual; something which did not occur to others.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 12. Think it not strange concerning the fiery trial — πυρωσει. The burning. The metaphor is old, but noble; it represents the Christians at Pontus as having fire cast upon them for the trying of their faith, as gold is tried by fire, 1 Peter 1:7, to which the apostle alludes.-Macknight.

St. Peter returns here to what he had often touched upon in this epistle, namely, to exhort the Christians to behave with patience and integrity under their present severe persecution; to which purpose he uses the following arguments:-

First, He intimates that it was not a strange or unusual thing for the people of God to be persecuted.

Secondly, That if they suffered here as Christ did, they should hereafter be glorified with him.

Thirdly, Besides the prospect of that future glory; they had at present the Spirit of God for their support and comfort.

Fourthly, That it was an honour for any of them to suffer, not as a malefactor, but as a Christian.

Fifthly, Though the afflictions began with the Christians, yet the weight of the storm would fall upon the unbelievers. From these considerations he exhorted them to persevere in their duty, and trust all events with God. See Dodd.


 
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