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Selected Verse: 1 Peter 4:12 - King James

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

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
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.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

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.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
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 Rev 18:9, Rev 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.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

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 Rev 18:9, Rev 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.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
Think it not strange (μὴ ξενίζεσθε) I.e., alien from you and your condition as Christians. Compare Pe1 5:4. Fiery trial (πυρώσει) The word means burning. In Proverbs 27:21 (Sept.), it is rendered furnace. In Psalms 65 (Sept.), 66 (A. V.), we read, "Thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast smelted us, as silver is smelted." Compare Zac 13:9. Which is to try you (ὑμῖν γινομένῃ) The A. V. thus makes the trial a thing of the future; mistranslating the Greek present participle, which is taking place. This participle, therefore, represents the trial as actually in progress. The Rev. does not give this force by its which cometh upon you. To try you (πρὸς πειρασμὸν) Lit., for trial or probation. Strange thing (ξένον) Compare think it not strange, above. Happened (συμβαίνοντος) Again the present participle. Better, perhaps, were happening; by chance, instead of with the definite purpose indicated by "taking place with a view to probation." See above.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]

Think it not strange (μὴ ξενίζεσθε)

I.e., alien from you and your condition as Christians. Compare Pe1 5:4.

Fiery trial (πυρώσει)

The word means burning. In Proverbs 27:21 (Sept.), it is rendered furnace. In Psalms 65 (Sept.), 66 (A. V.), we read, "Thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast smelted us, as silver is smelted." Compare Zac 13:9.

Which is to try you (ὑμῖν γινομένῃ)

The A. V. thus makes the trial a thing of the future; mistranslating the Greek present participle, which is taking place. This participle, therefore, represents the trial as actually in progress. The Rev. does not give this force by its which cometh upon you.

To try you (πρὸς πειρασμὸν)

Lit., for trial or probation.

Strange thing (ξένον)

Compare think it not strange, above.

Happened (συμβαίνοντος)

Again the present participle. Better, perhaps, were happening; by chance, instead of with the definite purpose indicated by "taking place with a view to probation." See above.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
Wonder not at the burning which is among you - This is the literal meaning of the expression. It seems to include both martyrdom itself, which so frequently was by fire, and all the other sufferings joined with, or previous to, it; which is permitted by the wisdom of God for your trial. Be not surprised at this.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]

Wonder not at the burning which is among you - This is the literal meaning of the expression. It seems to include both martyrdom itself, which so frequently was by fire, and all the other sufferings joined with, or previous to, it; which is permitted by the wisdom of God for your trial. Be not surprised at this.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
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, Pe1 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 Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826

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, Pe1 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.

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