The Coming Fiery Trial

First Peter returns again and again to the theme of suffering, indicating that the first readers of this epistle were undergoing some kind of persecution for their faith in Jesus (1 Peter 1:6–7; 2:18–20; 3:8–4:6). Not all of this persecution constituted a significant threat to these readers’ lives, for several passages indicate that some of the first audience of the epistle suffered only verbal insults and reviling (e.g., 3:9, 16; 4:4). That did not mean, however, that the first readers were not facing intense violence or that slander could not mature into real threats to life. Peter’s original audience had to be ready in case violent opposition broke out against them. Every Christian since that day must be prepared as well.

In today’s verse, Peter returns to the topic of suffering, this time dealing with more than just verbal abuse. He speaks of the “fiery trial” that can come to every believer (1 Peter 4:12). Since fire can bring pain and destruction, the Apostle is referencing intense forms of persecution. Peter counsels that believers should not be surprised when a fiery trial arrives as if this were something strange or unexpected. He writes from experience. Jesus Himself told Peter and the other disciples that some of them would lose their lives for the sake of Him and the gospel, and He even predicted Peter’s own martyrdom (John 21:18–19). Part of the Apostolic message is that “through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22)—not that our suffering merits eternal life but that our lives between our conversion and our arrival in heaven will involve suffering, and sometimes suffering persecution of the worst kind.

Scripture never calls us to seek out persecution, but persecution can be spiritually beneficial. In calling persecution a “fiery trial,” Peter likely has in view the imagery of texts such as Proverbs 27:21, where we read about silver and gold being purified by fire. This ties back nicely to 1 Peter 1:6–7, where the Apostle talks about faith’s being tested and proved genuine through various trials, employing the same idea of using fire to test and refine gold. God allows suffering and persecution for the good purpose of refining our faith and removing the idols that we may at times trust instead of the Lord. Our Father sends trials not to destroy us but to strengthen our trust in Him. Matthew Henry comments, “Though [trials] be sharp and fiery, yet they are designed only to try, not to ruin them, to try their sincerity, strength, patience, and trust in God.”