1 Peter 4 · Verse 12

1 Peter 4:12

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
1 Peter 4:12, King James Version

1 Peter 4:12 in other translations

BSBBeloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you.
WEBBeloved, don’t be astonished at the fiery trial which has come upon you to test you, as though a strange thing happened to you.
ASVBeloved, 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:
YLTBeloved, 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,
DARBYBeloved, 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;
BBEDear brothers, do not be surprised, as if it was something strange, if your faith is tested as by fire:
WebsterBeloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you:

What does 1 Peter 4:12 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
12. strange--they might think it strange that God should allow His chosen children to be sore tried. fiery trial--like the fire by which metals are tested and their dross removed. The Greek adds, "in your case." which is to try you--Greek, "which is taking place for a trial to you." Instead of its "happening to you" as some strange and untoward chance, it "is taking place" with the gracious design of trying you; God has a wise design in it--a consolatory reflection.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 12. 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 (πυρωσει) occurs only here and in Rev 18:9,18; 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.

(c) "fiery trial" 1Cor 3:13

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
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, 1Pet 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 honor 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.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Peter 4:12-19
By patience and fortitude in suffering, by dependence on the promises of God, and keeping to the word the Holy Spirit hath revealed, the Holy Spirit is glorified; but by the contempt and reproaches cast upon believers, he is evil spoken of, and is blasphemed. One would think such cautions as these were needless to Christians. But their enemies falsely charged them with foul crimes. And even the best of men need to be warned against the worst of sins. There is no comfort in sufferings, when we bring them upon ourselves by our own sin and folly. A time of universal calamity was at hand, as foretold by our Saviour, Mt 24:9, 10. And if such things befall in this life, how awful will the day of judgment be! It is true that the righteous are scarcely saved; even those who endeavour to walk uprightly in the ways of God. This does not mean that the purpose and performance of God are uncertain, but only the great difficulties and hard encounters in the way; that they go through so many temptations and tribulations, so many fightings without and fears within. Yet all outward difficulties would be as nothing, were it not for lusts and corruptions within. These are the worst clogs and troubles. And if the way of the righteous be so hard, then how hard shall be the end of the ungodly sinner, who walks in sin with delight, and thinks the righteous is a fool for all his pains! The only way to keep the soul well, is, to commit it to God by prayer, and patient perseverance in well-doing. He will overrule all to the final advantage of the believer.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

1 Peter 4:12 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

Ἀγαπητοί,AgapētoiBeloved,G27
μὴmēnotG3361
ξενίζεσθεxenizesthedo be surprisedG3579
τῇtēaat theG3588
ἐνenamongG1722
ὑμῖνhuminyouG4771
πυρώσειpurōseifireG4451
πρὸςprosforG4314
πειρασμὸνpeirasmona trialG3986
ὑμῖνhuminto youG4771
γινομένῃginomenētaking placeG1096
ὡςhōsas ifG5613
ξένουxenoua strange thingG3581
ὑμῖνhuminto youG4771
συμβαίνοντος·sumbainontoswere happening;G4819

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Peter 4:12

  • 2 Timothy 3:12

    Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

  • 1 Peter 1:6-7

    Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 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:

  • 1 Peter 5:9

    Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

  • 1 Thessalonians 3:2-4

    And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith: That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.

  • Daniel 11:35

    And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:13

    There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

  • 1 Corinthians 3:13

    Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

  • 1 Peter 4:4

    Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

  • Isaiah 28:21

    For the Lord shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
think.
4; Isa 28:21
the fiery.
1:7; Da 11:35; 1Co 3:13
as.
5:9; 1Co 10:13; 1Th 3:2-4; 2Ti 3:12

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 1 Peter 4:11

    If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

  • 1 Peter 4:12

    Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

  • 1 Peter 4:13

    But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

Read all of 1 Peter 4

1 Peter 4:12 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Carísimos, no os maravilléis cuando sois examinados por fuego, lo cual se hace para vuestra prueba, como si alguna cosa peregrina os aconteciese;
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Bien-aimés, ne trouvez pas étrange le feu ardent qui est au milieu de vous, qui est venu sur vous pour votre épreuve, comme s’il vous arrivait quelque chose d’extraordinaire;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Geliebte, laßt euch das Feuer der Verfolgung unter euch, das euch zur Versuchung geschieht, nicht befremden, als begegne euch etwas Fremdes;
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Carissimi, nolite peregrinari in fervore, qui ad tentationem vobis fit, quasi novi aliquid vobis contingat: