1 Peter 4:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: 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.

NIV: Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

NASB: 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;

CSB: Dear friends, don't be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you, as if something unusual were happening to you.

NLT: Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.

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

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

Peter begins a new section of his letter, summing up and adding to what he has previously written about the believer's attitude towards suffering. He begins by calling his readers "beloved" or "dear friends." Peter certainly cares deeply for the scattered Christians of Asia Minor and, by extension, for all the believers who would read his words.

However, he again urges them (and us) to expect fierce trials, instead of being surprised by them. We should not see persecution as strange and unusual for God's people (John 16:1–4). Hardships of all kinds will come. For these first century Christians, that would include intense political and social persecution for their faith in Christ.

False teachers mislead Christians, even today, telling us to expect only good days if we make God-pleasing choices. Peter shreds that idea, telling believers to expect just the opposite. In essence, Peter says to not judge God's character or trustworthiness by the quality of our circumstances. Those fiery trials test our faith or, as Peter will write in a few verses, serve as a kind of crucible for the church to purify its faith.

God's set-apart people should not be shocked when suffering comes our way.

1 Peter 4:12–19 reminds Christians not to be surprised even by fiery suffering, but instead to see sharing in Christ’s afflictions as something worth rejoicing in. We will be glad when Christ’s glory is ultimately revealed, and we are currently blessed because God’s Spirit is with us. At the same time, we get no credit for the penalties of our own criminal or evil choices, or for retaliating against those who hurt us. When we're persecuted for doing good, God is able to ''judge'' His people, to strengthen our faith in Him. He will judge much more severely all those who reject faith in Christ.

Peter continues to describe how Christians should respond when faced with persecution: Take on Christ’s attitude, and expect God’s purpose for your life to include suffering. Set the course of your life away from mind-numbing pleasure seeking. Be alert so that you can pray effectively in these end times. In fact, rejoice if you share in Christ’s sufferings. God uses suffering to refine the faith of His people, and our present suffering contributes to future glory. If you suffer, keep doing good while trusting your soul to your Creator.

Peter’s letter to Christians is about how to live in the world while suffering for faith in Christ. Thus far, he has assured Christians that their future is secure with God. We are His holy people, set apart for His purposes. Christians are called to live in submission to every human authority. Now in chapter 4, Peter writes that we should take Jesus’ attitude toward suffering and expect it in this life, avoiding mind-numbing sin while loving each other earnestly. God may use suffering in this life to refine our faith, but the end of all things is near.

Some 30 years after the resurrection of Jesus, Christians are facing greater persecution for their faith. How should they respond? How should we respond to suffering today? The apostle Peter writes this letter both to comfort believers and to encourage them to stay strong. He urges them to put all their hope in their perfect future with Christ, and to obey and trust Him in the present, even in their suffering. Christ suffered greatly; now the Christ-followers have the opportunity to follow Him even in this, showing His grace and power in their hopefulness, obedience, and faith.