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:
Study Note
Study Note
Peter addresses recipients experiencing 'fiery trial' (pyrōsis) — likely the social ostracism and civic pressure experienced by diaspora Christians in Asia Minor rather than formal Roman persecution — and reframes their suffering as testing. The prohibition against thinking it 'strange' (xenizesthe) suggests that the recipients were indeed puzzled and disoriented by their sufferings, perhaps expecting that conversion to Christ would improve rather than complicate their social standing. The verse introduces the following argument (vv. 13–16) that suffering 'for the name of Christ' is a participation in Christ's own passion, transforming victimhood into christological solidarity. The Petrine letters as a whole develop a theology of Christian suffering that draws on the Servant Songs of Isaiah and on the cross as interpretive key.
Other Translations
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:
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,
Dear brothers, do not be surprised, as if it was something strange, if your faith is tested as by fire:
Cross References
For the Lord shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, …
And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even …
Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; …
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not …
And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, …
For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came …
Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
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 …
Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of …