1 Peter 4:12-13 reminds us again that believers who live faithfully will encounter suffering. We should not be shocked or think something unusual is happening when we suffer as Christians. God uses suffering to grow us, strengthen us, and refine us. We can take courage during our suffering so that when Jesus comes, we will be rewarded and overjoyed.
1 Peter 4:12-131 Peter 4:12-13 commentary can be viewed as a summary statement for the thought unit that covers 1 Peter 3:18 - 4:191 Peter 3:18 - 4:19 commentary: rejoice when you suffer unjustly, as Christ suffered, because it is accomplishing God’s will on earth and will bring you great reward in the final judgment.
Peter demonstrates his love and compassion for his readers as he opens this section on suffering, calling them Beloved, a term indicating people with whom he has a special relationship. Peter asserts: Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you (v.1 2a).
To this point, Peter has asserted:
These beloved believers are people of God with a special calling (1 Peter 2:4-121 Peter 2:4-12 commentary);
Who should live in submission to earthly authorities as a testimony, even when the earthly authorities mistreat them (1 Peter 2:13-201 Peter 2:13-20 commentary);
In enduring suffering and maintaining their witness, they are following Christ’s example (1 Peter 2:21-251 Peter 2:21-25 commentary)
This attitude should carry over into family and community relationships (1 Peter 3:1-171 Peter 3:1-17 commentary); Jesus suffered such unjust abuse that He was crucified while doing nothing wrong. However, in following His Father’s will in this way Jesus was greatly rewarded; Jesus will reign forever because of His faithfulness.
Jesus is a faithful witness whose example we should follow.
As the example of Noah shows, actions have consequences that go beyond just this world. There is a judgment coming for all, and we should bear that in mind while making choices (1 Peter 3:18 - 4:111 Peter 3:18 - 4:11 commentary).
So in saying do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, Peter is repeating the principles he raised previously and applying them directly to their circumstances. Given all that he has said previously, these believers should not be surprised that they are encountering difficulty and opposition because of their faith. This is to be expected. As the Apostle Paul said,
“Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:122 Timothy 3:12 commentary).
In his introduction to this letter, Peter acknowledged that these believers had been “distressed by various trials” (1 Peter 1:61 Peter 1:6 commentary). Now, after discussing God’s plan to redeem humanity through Jesus Christ and His people, he now tells them do not be surprised at the unjust persecution they are enduring. They are called to be the people of God (1 Peter 2:91 Peter 2:9 commentary).
They also should not be surprised when they experience some form of painful suffering because Jesus predicted His followers would experience suffering for following Him (Matthew 5:11-12Matthew 5:11-12 commentary, commentaryLuke 21:12Luke 21:12 commentary, commentaryJohn 15:20John 15:20 commentary). Peter himself had personally experienced the suffering of being arrested and thrown in jail by King Herod, who intended to kill him as he had James the brother of John (Acts 12:1-4Acts 12:1-4 commentary).
He intentionally describes suffering as a fiery ordeal to indicate an intense experience of some painful suffering, like being burned with fire. The fiery ordeal occurs for our testing (v. 12b). A student endures a test in order to prove knowledge, but then rejoices in receiving a degree. We might also think of the pain of a wound being cauterized; the pain brings about a good result of healing but is painful while being endured.
A single Greek word “pyrosis” is translated at the fiery ordeal. The root of “pyrosis” is “pyroo” (verb, “fiery”). The noun form is “pyr” usually translated as “fire.” Fire (“pyr”) is often used in scripture as a symbol of testing. A few examples follow:
1 Corinthians 3:151 Corinthians 3:15 commentary says the judgment “fire” of God will “test the quality of each man’s work”—speaking of believers’ works being judged for rewards.
1 Peter 1:71 Peter 1:7 commentary speaks of the faith of these believers being “tested with fire.” In this case, the “fire” is persecution for their faith. Peter said standing this test will result in “praise and glory and honor” when Jesus returns.
Malachi 3:2Malachi 3:2 commentary says God is like a refiner's “fire” (“pyr” in the Greek translation of the Old Testament). This refers to the process of refining impurities from metal ore like gold or silver.
Peter understood that there is eternal value in suffering for Christ. He tells his readers that suffering comes upon you for your testing (v. 12b). He had previously explained this concept that testing proves our faith—calling the testing “fire”:
“In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:6-71 Peter 1:6-7 commentary).
The Bible paints a picture that being tested by fire while here on earth refines us of impurities. It shows this as a process that creates enormous benefits in both this life as well as the next. If believers have had impurities of sin, pride, and selfishness burned away it frees them to live in love and service to others. This makes life better now, causes our lives to brim with purpose and connection.
This results in good deeds that God will reward greatly (1 Corinthians 2:91 Corinthians 2:9 commentary). The alternative for believers to living faithfully now is to live this life in a fleshly manner. If believers live a fleshly life, then when tested by fire in the next life, our deeds will not endure God’s refining judgment fire and our earthly deeds will burn away, with nothing left for Jesus to reward (1 Corinthians 3:13-151 Corinthians 3:13-15 commentary). This is why living as a faithful witness has a compounding benefit, beginning in this life then compounding exponentially into the future.
Suffering is to be expected in the Christian life. Part of that is due to the Fall, where sin and death entered the world; this is a consequence of Adam’s choice that was inherited by all humans (Romans 5:12Romans 5:12 commentary). Part of it is because the fallen world has Satan as its current ruler and it is filled with the ways of Satan (John 16:11John 16:11 commentary, commentary1 John 2:15-161 John 2:15-16 commentary). It is a means that God uses to prove the quality of faith in His children. Therefore, Peter encourages his readers not to look at suffering as though some strange things were happening to you (v. 12c).
The concept of some strange thing carries the idea of something foreign and unfamiliar. It should be expected because it provides the opportunity to prove our faith and gain great rewards from Jesus for faithful service: but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation (v. 13).
In other words, unjust suffering at the hands of the world can be expected as something normal and familiar to the Christian. It is the means by which believers are made complete and prepared for the great service for which God created humans—to reign over the earth as servant leaders, in harmony and service with Him. Jesus’s glory will be revealed when He returns. Then His essence as the King of kings will be observed by all.
Jesus used the parable of the talents to demonstrate that only faithful stewards will “enter into the joy of your master” and be given the reward of being put “in charge of many things” (Matthew 25:21Matthew 25:21 commentary). This is why Peter includes the conditional statement to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ together with the phrase keep on rejoicing. It is through sharing in the suffering of Christ that we will gain the reward of being a joint heir with Him. Paul includes a similar conditional statement in his letter to the Romans:
“and if children, heirs also heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.” (Romans 8:17Romans 8:17 commentary)
We see in this verse from Romans that being an heir of God is unconditional (“heirs of God”)—all who believe are in God’s forever family through the blood of Jesus. But we also see that only those who “suffer with Him” will be “glorified with Him” as “fellow heirs with Christ” (“if indeed we suffer”).
Christ is the “heir” of creation and was accordingly given authority over all things due to His faithfulness in doing His Father’s will, even to death on a cross (Philippians 2:8-9Philippians 2:8-9 commentary). Those who suffer as Jesus suffered will be “fellow heirs” with Him in sharing His reign (Revelation 3:21Revelation 3:21 commentary, commentaryMatthew 25:21Matthew 25:21 commentary, commentaryHebrews 2:10Hebrews 2:10 commentary). This is why believers can keep on rejoicing when we encounter difficulty, because as we overcome as Jesus overcame, we can share the sufferings of Christ and gain the great reward of sharing His authority, His glory.
The revelation of His glory will occur when Jesus returns to earth a second time. He will be installed as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords upon the earth (Revelation 19:15-16Revelation 19:15-16 commentary). He will be crowned with the glory and honor of reigning over the earth—the “glory and honor” that humans lost due to disobedience (Hebrews 2:5-9Hebrews 2:5-9 commentary). Jesus promises those who overcome as He overcame will gain this immense reward, and when they do they will rejoice with exultation (Revelation 3:21Revelation 3:21 commentary).
When a believer suffers for the cause of Christ, in a sense he shares the sufferings of Christ. The word share translates the Greek word “koinoneo” which implies a participation in a common experience (Romans 8:17Romans 8:17 commentary. 2 Corinthians 1:42 Corinthians 1:4 commentary, 4:104:10 commentary, Philippians 3:10Philippians 3:10 commentary). As verse 13 says, to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ these believers can look forward to rejoicing in sharing His joy, Jesus’s reward of reigning as a servant leader. The amount of reward is directly proportional to the degree that you share. More sharing is more glory. This makes logical sense given that “glory” is the essence of something being seen. So the more we share in suffering for Christ the more we show Christ’s essence to others (John 15:8John 15:8 commentary).
Paul tells believers to have the same mindset Jesus had, who learned obedience and endured suffering in order to gain this great reward (Philippians 2:5-9Philippians 2:5-9 commentary). Peter here is saying the same thing.
When a believer suffers for the cause of Christ, instead of a response of shock and despair, Peter tells us we should keep on rejoicing. Peter encouraged this same response to suffering earlier in Chapter 1, “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials” (1 Peter 1:61 Peter 1:6 commentary). This is because our opportunity to share in Christ’s joy is to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ. The phrase to the degree means “to the extent.” Therefore, no suffering, no opportunity, which is a reason to keep on rejoicing.
Responding to trials and suffering with joy and rejoicing is a concept also taught by Paul (Romans 5:3-5Romans 5:3-5 commentary), and James (James 1:2-4James 1:2-4 commentary). Peter exhorts believers to embrace that suffering for Christ is a way of making our life on earth count for eternity. It gives us opportunity to glorify Christ by making His suffering visible to others, who may ask us about the hope that is within us (1 Peter 3:151 Peter 3:15 commentary). It also allows us the opportunity to share in Christ’s glory when He returns.
That is a reason why believers can rejoice during suffering on earth knowing so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. In other words. believers who trust God while they endure suffering for Christ on earth may rejoice at Christ’s return because of the great reward they will receive as they enter the kingdom to come. (Matthew 5:11-12Matthew 5:11-12 commentary, commentary2 Timothy 2:122 Timothy 2:12 commentary).
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1 Peter 4:12-13 meaning
1 Peter 4:12-131 Peter 4:12-13 commentary can be viewed as a summary statement for the thought unit that covers 1 Peter 3:18 - 4:191 Peter 3:18 - 4:19 commentary: rejoice when you suffer unjustly, as Christ suffered, because it is accomplishing God’s will on earth and will bring you great reward in the final judgment.
Peter demonstrates his love and compassion for his readers as he opens this section on suffering, calling them Beloved, a term indicating people with whom he has a special relationship. Peter asserts: Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you (v.1 2a).
To this point, Peter has asserted:
Jesus is a faithful witness whose example we should follow.
As the example of Noah shows, actions have consequences that go beyond just this world. There is a judgment coming for all, and we should bear that in mind while making choices (1 Peter 3:18 - 4:111 Peter 3:18 - 4:11 commentary).
So in saying do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, Peter is repeating the principles he raised previously and applying them directly to their circumstances. Given all that he has said previously, these believers should not be surprised that they are encountering difficulty and opposition because of their faith. This is to be expected. As the Apostle Paul said,
“Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted”
(2 Timothy 3:122 Timothy 3:12 commentary).
In his introduction to this letter, Peter acknowledged that these believers had been “distressed by various trials” (1 Peter 1:61 Peter 1:6 commentary). Now, after discussing God’s plan to redeem humanity through Jesus Christ and His people, he now tells them do not be surprised at the unjust persecution they are enduring. They are called to be the people of God (1 Peter 2:91 Peter 2:9 commentary).
They also should not be surprised when they experience some form of painful suffering because Jesus predicted His followers would experience suffering for following Him (Matthew 5:11-12Matthew 5:11-12 commentary, commentary Luke 21:12Luke 21:12 commentary, commentary John 15:20John 15:20 commentary). Peter himself had personally experienced the suffering of being arrested and thrown in jail by King Herod, who intended to kill him as he had James the brother of John (Acts 12:1-4Acts 12:1-4 commentary).
He intentionally describes suffering as a fiery ordeal to indicate an intense experience of some painful suffering, like being burned with fire. The fiery ordeal occurs for our testing (v. 12b). A student endures a test in order to prove knowledge, but then rejoices in receiving a degree. We might also think of the pain of a wound being cauterized; the pain brings about a good result of healing but is painful while being endured.
A single Greek word “pyrosis” is translated at the fiery ordeal. The root of “pyrosis” is “pyroo” (verb, “fiery”). The noun form is “pyr” usually translated as “fire.” Fire (“pyr”) is often used in scripture as a symbol of testing. A few examples follow:
Peter understood that there is eternal value in suffering for Christ. He tells his readers that suffering comes upon you for your testing (v. 12b). He had previously explained this concept that testing proves our faith—calling the testing “fire”:
“In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ”
(1 Peter 1:6-71 Peter 1:6-7 commentary).
The Bible paints a picture that being tested by fire while here on earth refines us of impurities. It shows this as a process that creates enormous benefits in both this life as well as the next. If believers have had impurities of sin, pride, and selfishness burned away it frees them to live in love and service to others. This makes life better now, causes our lives to brim with purpose and connection.
This results in good deeds that God will reward greatly (1 Corinthians 2:91 Corinthians 2:9 commentary). The alternative for believers to living faithfully now is to live this life in a fleshly manner. If believers live a fleshly life, then when tested by fire in the next life, our deeds will not endure God’s refining judgment fire and our earthly deeds will burn away, with nothing left for Jesus to reward (1 Corinthians 3:13-151 Corinthians 3:13-15 commentary). This is why living as a faithful witness has a compounding benefit, beginning in this life then compounding exponentially into the future.
Suffering is to be expected in the Christian life. Part of that is due to the Fall, where sin and death entered the world; this is a consequence of Adam’s choice that was inherited by all humans (Romans 5:12Romans 5:12 commentary). Part of it is because the fallen world has Satan as its current ruler and it is filled with the ways of Satan (John 16:11John 16:11 commentary, commentary 1 John 2:15-161 John 2:15-16 commentary). It is a means that God uses to prove the quality of faith in His children. Therefore, Peter encourages his readers not to look at suffering as though some strange things were happening to you (v. 12c).
The concept of some strange thing carries the idea of something foreign and unfamiliar. It should be expected because it provides the opportunity to prove our faith and gain great rewards from Jesus for faithful service: but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation (v. 13).
In other words, unjust suffering at the hands of the world can be expected as something normal and familiar to the Christian. It is the means by which believers are made complete and prepared for the great service for which God created humans—to reign over the earth as servant leaders, in harmony and service with Him. Jesus’s glory will be revealed when He returns. Then His essence as the King of kings will be observed by all.
Jesus was crowned with the “glory and honor” of being given authority over the earth as a human as a reward for His faithful service (Philippians 2:8-9Philippians 2:8-9 commentary, commentary Hebrews 2:9Hebrews 2:9 commentary, commentary Revelation 3:21Revelation 3:21 commentary). When He returns He will physically inaugurate His reign and bring “many sons to glory” to participate in His administration (Hebrews 2:10Hebrews 2:10 commentary, commentary Revelation 3:21Revelation 3:21 commentary).
Jesus used the parable of the talents to demonstrate that only faithful stewards will “enter into the joy of your master” and be given the reward of being put “in charge of many things” (Matthew 25:21Matthew 25:21 commentary). This is why Peter includes the conditional statement to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ together with the phrase keep on rejoicing. It is through sharing in the suffering of Christ that we will gain the reward of being a joint heir with Him. Paul includes a similar conditional statement in his letter to the Romans:
“and if children, heirs also heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.”
(Romans 8:17Romans 8:17 commentary)
We see in this verse from Romans that being an heir of God is unconditional (“heirs of God”)—all who believe are in God’s forever family through the blood of Jesus. But we also see that only those who “suffer with Him” will be “glorified with Him” as “fellow heirs with Christ” (“if indeed we suffer”).
Christ is the “heir” of creation and was accordingly given authority over all things due to His faithfulness in doing His Father’s will, even to death on a cross (Philippians 2:8-9Philippians 2:8-9 commentary). Those who suffer as Jesus suffered will be “fellow heirs” with Him in sharing His reign (Revelation 3:21Revelation 3:21 commentary, commentary Matthew 25:21Matthew 25:21 commentary, commentary Hebrews 2:10Hebrews 2:10 commentary). This is why believers can keep on rejoicing when we encounter difficulty, because as we overcome as Jesus overcame, we can share the sufferings of Christ and gain the great reward of sharing His authority, His glory.
The revelation of His glory will occur when Jesus returns to earth a second time. He will be installed as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords upon the earth (Revelation 19:15-16Revelation 19:15-16 commentary). He will be crowned with the glory and honor of reigning over the earth—the “glory and honor” that humans lost due to disobedience (Hebrews 2:5-9Hebrews 2:5-9 commentary). Jesus promises those who overcome as He overcame will gain this immense reward, and when they do they will rejoice with exultation (Revelation 3:21Revelation 3:21 commentary).
When a believer suffers for the cause of Christ, in a sense he shares the sufferings of Christ. The word share translates the Greek word “koinoneo” which implies a participation in a common experience (Romans 8:17Romans 8:17 commentary. 2 Corinthians 1:42 Corinthians 1:4 commentary, 4:104:10 commentary, Philippians 3:10Philippians 3:10 commentary). As verse 13 says, to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ these believers can look forward to rejoicing in sharing His joy, Jesus’s reward of reigning as a servant leader. The amount of reward is directly proportional to the degree that you share. More sharing is more glory. This makes logical sense given that “glory” is the essence of something being seen. So the more we share in suffering for Christ the more we show Christ’s essence to others (John 15:8John 15:8 commentary).
Paul tells believers to have the same mindset Jesus had, who learned obedience and endured suffering in order to gain this great reward (Philippians 2:5-9Philippians 2:5-9 commentary). Peter here is saying the same thing.
When a believer suffers for the cause of Christ, instead of a response of shock and despair, Peter tells us we should keep on rejoicing. Peter encouraged this same response to suffering earlier in Chapter 1, “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials” (1 Peter 1:61 Peter 1:6 commentary). This is because our opportunity to share in Christ’s joy is to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ. The phrase to the degree means “to the extent.” Therefore, no suffering, no opportunity, which is a reason to keep on rejoicing.
Responding to trials and suffering with joy and rejoicing is a concept also taught by Paul (Romans 5:3-5Romans 5:3-5 commentary), and James (James 1:2-4James 1:2-4 commentary). Peter exhorts believers to embrace that suffering for Christ is a way of making our life on earth count for eternity. It gives us opportunity to glorify Christ by making His suffering visible to others, who may ask us about the hope that is within us (1 Peter 3:151 Peter 3:15 commentary). It also allows us the opportunity to share in Christ’s glory when He returns.
That is a reason why believers can rejoice during suffering on earth knowing so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. In other words. believers who trust God while they endure suffering for Christ on earth may rejoice at Christ’s return because of the great reward they will receive as they enter the kingdom to come. (Matthew 5:11-12Matthew 5:11-12 commentary, commentary 2 Timothy 2:122 Timothy 2:12 commentary).