SEV Biblia, Chapter 4:12
¶ Carísimos, no os maravillis cuando seis examinados por fuego, (lo cual se hace para vuestra prueba), como si alguna cosa peregrina os aconteciese;
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 1 Peter 4:12
Verse 12. Think it not strange concerning the fiery trial] purwsei? 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, chap. i. 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 honour 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.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 12. Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial , etc.] By which may be meant either the destruction of Jerusalem, which was at hand, and of which the apostle may be thought to give the Jews he writes to notice of before hand; that they might be prepared for it, and not be overwhelmed with consternation and amazement when they should hear of it; who, though in other countries, must be affected with it, and would be a trying dispensation to them: or else the afflictions and persecutions which daily come upon them, for the sake of Christ and his Gospel; signified by fire or burning, because grievous to the flesh, and gave great uneasiness, distress, and pain to it; and because of the fury of men, and the violence and fierceness of their rage, expressed thereby; as also because the people of God under them are sometimes ready to conceive that the wrath of God is poured out, like fire, upon them. But the apostle would not have these saints entertain any such thoughts, and therefore he calls them beloved; that is, of God, as they were notwithstanding all the fiery trials and afflictions which were brought upon them; or he means, that they were beloved by him, and dear unto him, and other saints, though they were ill treated and reproached by the world: the Syriac and Arabic versions read, my beloved; and the Ethiopic version, our brethren: and the apostle exhorts them not to look upon their afflictions that either did or should attend them as strange and uncommon things; since afflictions, of whatsoever kind, are not things of chance, and do not rise up out of the dust, but are by the appointment, and according to the will of God; and are also the common lot of the people of God in all ages, from the beginning of the world, the same afflictions are accomplished in others; yea, Christ himself endured the same hatred, reproach, and contradiction of sinners, against himself; and they are what he has given his people reason to expect, having told them of them before hand, that they might not be offended at them; and as they lay in his way to glory, it need not seem strange that the saints also should, through many tribulations, enter the kingdom.
Moreover, this fiery dispensation, be it what it will, was not to destroy them, but to try them, and that for their good, profit, and advantage; just as gold and silver are tried in the fire, and lose their dross, and become purer and brighter: which is to try you ; afflictions try the graces of the saints; as their faith in Christ, which becomes thereby much more precious than of gold that perisheth; and their love to him, by which it appears that no tribulation can separate them from it, nor many waters and floods of afflictions drown it; and their hope of eternal life, which grows more lively and strong, and is as an anchor, sure and steadfast, amidst the greatest storms. These try a man's profession of religion, whether it is took up on good principles, and without sinister views; since, if it is not, when persecution, because of the word, comes, he is offended and gone; and likewise what a man's principles are, whether worth suffering for or not; and whether they will bear him up, and he abide by them, when called to suffer for them; and therefore, since such ends are answered by fiery trials, they should not be looked upon as strange and unusual things: as though some strange thing happened unto you; which was never known and heard of before; and as if useless, and of no service, and as foreign to the characters, cases, and circumstances of the saints in this world. The apostle in this verse returns to his former argument, to animate and encourage the saints in suffering afflictions patiently for righteousness sake.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 12-19 - By patience and fortitude in suffering, by dependence on the promise of God, and keeping to the word the Holy Spirit hath revealed, the Holy Spirit is glorified; but by the contempt and reproaches cast upo believers, he is evil spoken of, and is blasphemed. One would thin such cautions as these were needless to Christians. But their enemie 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; eve those who endeavour to walk uprightly in the ways of God. This does no mean that the purpose and performance of God are uncertain, but onl the great difficulties and hard encounters in the way; that they go through so many temptations and tribulations, so many fightings withou and fears within. Yet all outward difficulties would be as nothing were it not for lusts and corruptions within. These are the worst clog and troubles. And if the way of the righteous be so hard, then how har 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 patien perseverance in well-doing. He will overrule all to the final advantag of the believer __________________________________________________________________
Greek Textus Receptus
αγαπητοι 27 μη 3361 ξενιζεσθε 3579 5744 τη 3588 εν 1722 υμιν 5213 πυρωσει 4451 προς 4314 πειρασμον 3986 υμιν 5213 γινομενη 1096 5740 ως 5613 ξενου 3581 υμιν 5213 συμβαινοντος 4819 5723
Vincent's NT Word Studies
12. Think it not strange (mh xenizesqe). I.e., alien from you and your condition as Christians. Compare v. 4.
Fiery trial (purwsei). The word means burning. In Prov. xxvii. 21 (Sept.), it is rendered furnace. In Psalms 45 (Sept.), 46 (A.V.), we read, "Thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast smelted us, as silver is smelted." Compare Zech. xiii. 9.
Which is to try you (umin ginomenh). 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 (prov peirasmon). Lit., for trial or probation.
Strange thing (xenon). Compare think it not strange, above.
Happened (sumbainontov). 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.
