1 Peter 4:12

Beloved, thank it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you ; literally, be not astonished at the burning among you, which is coming to you for a trial, as though a strange thing were happening to you. St. Peter returns to the sufferings of his readers. The address, "beloved," as in 1 Peter 2:11 , shows the depth of his sympathy with them. He resumes the thought of 1 Peter 1:7 ; the persecution is a burning, a fiery furnace, which is being kindled among them for a trial, to try the strength of their faith. The present participles imply that the persecution was already beginning; the word πύρωσις , a burning (see Revelation 18:9 , Revelation 18:18 ), shows the severity. St. Peter tells them its meaning: it was to prove them; it would turn to their good. Persecution was not to be regarded as a strange thing. The Lord had foretold its coming. St. Paul, in his first visit to Asia Minor, had warned them that " we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God." (On the word ξένιζεσθαι , see note on 1 Peter 1:4 .) The thing was not strange; they were not to count it as strange; they must learn, so to speak, to acclimatize themselves to it; it would brace their energies and strengthen their faith.