The Meaning of 1 Peter 4:12 Explained

1 Peter 4:12

KJV: Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

YLT: Beloved, think it not strange at the fiery suffering among you that is coming to try you, as if a strange thing were happening to you,

Darby: Beloved, take not as strange the fire of persecution which has taken place amongst you for your trial, as if a strange thing was happening to you;

ASV: Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial among you, which cometh upon you to prove you, as though a strange thing happened unto you:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Beloved,  think it  not  strange  concerning the  fiery trial  which  is  to  try  you,  as  though some strange thing  happened  unto you: 

What does 1 Peter 4:12 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Some Christians feel surprised when other people misunderstand, dislike, insult, and treat them harshly when they seek to carry out God"s will. Peter reminded his readers that this reaction is not a strange thing but normal Christian experience. Their persecutions were fiery (burning) ordeals in the sense that they were part of God"s refining process and were uncomfortable (cf. 1 Peter 2:11). It was for their testing (Gr. pairasmos, proving), to manifest their faith, that God allowed their sufferings (cf. James 1:2-4).
Peter now broadened his perspective and reminded his suffering readers of their corporate responsibilities.

Context Summary

1 Peter 4:12-19 - Suffering As A Christian
We are called upon to share our Savior's sufferings-not those of His substitution, but His daily self-denial, the hatred of men, the anguish of His soul over the obstinacy and opposition of the world. The soldier who is nearest his leader, charging through the mêlée of the fight, is likely to get the same treatment as is meted out to his prince. It is not strange! It would be strange if it were not so, and if the traits in us that characterize our Lord did not win the same hatred as they won for Him.
The salvation of the righteous is a task of enormous difficulty. It requires the dead-lift of Omnipotence. Nothing less will suffice than the infinite grace of the Father, the blood of the Son, and the patience of the Holy Spirit. What will be the fate of those who refuse these! Will they appear at the marriage-supper of the Lamb; and if not-where! What a beautiful closing verse! The committal of the soul, not only to the Savior, but to the Creator. After all, He who made can best understand, adjust and satisfy the nature which He Himself has given! [source]

Chapter Summary: 1 Peter 4

1  He exhorts them to cease from sin and live fore God,
12  and comforts them against persecution

Greek Commentary for 1 Peter 4:12

Think it not strange [μη χενιζεστε]
Prohibition with μη — mē and the present passive imperative of χενιζω — xenizō for which verb see 1 Peter 4:4. “Be not amazed.” [source]
Concerning the fiery trial among you [τει εν υμιν πυρωσει]
Instrumental case, “by the among you burning,” metaphorical sense of old word (since Aristotle), from πυροω — puroō to burn See 1 Peter 1:7 for the metaphor. See Revelation 18:9, Revelation 18:18 only other N.T. examples. It occurs in Proverbs 27:21 for the smelting of gold and silver and so in Psalm 56:10 (lxx 65:10): “Thou didst smelt us as silver is smelted” Present middle participle of γινομαι — ginomai (already coming) with dative case υμιν — humin prove you (προς πειρασμον — pros peirasmon). “For testing.”As though a strange thing happened unto you Genitive absolute with ως — hōs giving the alleged reason, and υμιν — humin dative case with συμβαινοντος — sumbainontos (present active participle of συμβαινω — sumbainō to go together, to happen (Mark 10:32), agreeing with χενου — xenou (strange, Hebrews 13:9). [source]
Which cometh upon you [υμιν γινομενηι]
Present middle participle of γινομαι — ginomai (already coming) with dative case υμιν — humin prove you “For testing.” [source]
As though a strange thing happened unto you [ως χενου υμιν συμβαινοντος]
Genitive absolute with ως — hōs giving the alleged reason, and υμιν — humin dative case with συμβαινοντος — sumbainontos (present active participle of συμβαινω — sumbainō to go together, to happen (Mark 10:32), agreeing with χενου — xenou (strange, Hebrews 13:9). [source]
Think it not strange [μὴ ξενίζεσθε]
I.e., alien from you and your condition as Christians. Compare 1 Peter 5:4. [source]
Fiery trial [πυρώσει]
The word means burning. In Psalm 65 (Sept.), 66 (A. V.), we read, “Thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast smelted us, as silver is smelted. ” Compare Zechariah href="/desk/?q=zec+13:9&sr=1">Zechariah 13:9. [source]
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. [source]
To try you [πρὸς πειρασμὸν]
Lit., for trial or probation. [source]
Strange thing [ξένον]
Compare think it not strange, above. [source]
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. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Peter 4:12

Acts 17:20 Strange [ξενίζοντα]
A participle: surprising. Compare 1 Peter 4:4, 1 Peter 4:12. [source]
Acts 17:18 Setter-forth [καταγγελεὺς]
See on declare, Acts 17:23. Compare 1 Peter 4:4, 1 Peter 4:12. [source]
Acts 17:18 What would this babbler say? [Τι αν τελοι ο σπερμολογος ουτος λεγειν]
The word for “babbler” means “seed-picker” or picker up of seeds Note the use of αν — an and the present active optative τελοι — theloi conclusion of a fourth-class condition in a rhetorical question (Robertson, Grammar, p. 1021). It means, What would this picker up of seeds wish to say, if he should get off an idea? It is a contemptuous tone of supreme ridicule and doubtless Paul heard this comment. Probably the Epicureans made this sneer that Paul was a charlatan or quack. Other some (οι δε — hoi de). But others, in contrast with the “some” just before. Perhaps the Stoics take this more serious view of Paul. He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods This view is put cautiously by δοκει — dokei (seems). Καταγγελευς — Kataggeleus does not occur in the old Greek, though in ecclesiastical writers, but Deissmann (Light from the Ancient East, p. 99) gives an example of the word “on a marble stele recording a decree of the Mitylenaens in honour of the Emperor Augustus,” where it is the herald of the games. Here alone in the N.T. Δαιμονιον — Daimonion is used in the old Greek sense of deity or divinity whether good or bad, not in the N.T. sense of demons. Both this word and καταγγελευς — kataggeleus are used from the Athenian standpoint. Χενος — Xenos is an old word for a guest-friend (Latin hospes) and then host (Romans 16:23), then for foreigner or stranger (Matthew 25:31; Acts 17:21), new and so strange as here and Hebrews 13:9; 1 Peter 4:12, and then aliens (Ephesians 2:12). This view of Paul is the first count against Socrates: Socrates does wrong, introducing new deities On this charge the Athenians voted the hemlock for their greatest citizen. What will they do to Paul? This Athens was more sceptical and more tolerant than the old Athens. But Roman law did not allow the introduction of a new religion (religio illicita). Paul was walking on thin ice though he was the real master philosopher and these Epicureans and Stoics were quacks. Paul had the only true philosophy of the universe and life with Jesus Christ as the centre (Colossians 1:12-20), the greatest of all philosophers as Ramsay justly terms him. But these men are mocking him. Because he preached Jesus and the resurrection (ευαγγελιζω — hoti ton Iēsoun kai tēn anastasin euēggelizato). Reason for the view just stated. Imperfect middle indicative of αναστασις — euaggelizō to “gospelize.” Apparently these critics considered anastasis (Resurrection) another deity on a par with Jesus. The Athenians worshipped all sorts of abstract truths and virtues and they misunderstood Paul on this subject. They will leave him as soon as he mentions the resurrection (Acts 17:32). It is objected that Luke would not use the word in this sense here for his readers would not under stand him. But Luke is describing the misapprehension of this group of philosophers and this interpretation fits in precisely. [source]
Acts 17:18 He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods [ζενων δαιμονιων δοκει καταγγελευς ειναι]
This view is put cautiously by δοκει — dokei (seems). Καταγγελευς — Kataggeleus does not occur in the old Greek, though in ecclesiastical writers, but Deissmann (Light from the Ancient East, p. 99) gives an example of the word “on a marble stele recording a decree of the Mitylenaens in honour of the Emperor Augustus,” where it is the herald of the games. Here alone in the N.T. Δαιμονιον — Daimonion is used in the old Greek sense of deity or divinity whether good or bad, not in the N.T. sense of demons. Both this word and καταγγελευς — kataggeleus are used from the Athenian standpoint. Χενος — Xenos is an old word for a guest-friend (Latin hospes) and then host (Romans 16:23), then for foreigner or stranger (Matthew 25:31; Acts 17:21), new and so strange as here and Hebrews 13:9; 1 Peter 4:12, and then aliens (Ephesians 2:12). This view of Paul is the first count against Socrates: Socrates does wrong, introducing new deities On this charge the Athenians voted the hemlock for their greatest citizen. What will they do to Paul? This Athens was more sceptical and more tolerant than the old Athens. But Roman law did not allow the introduction of a new religion (religio illicita). Paul was walking on thin ice though he was the real master philosopher and these Epicureans and Stoics were quacks. Paul had the only true philosophy of the universe and life with Jesus Christ as the centre (Colossians 1:12-20), the greatest of all philosophers as Ramsay justly terms him. But these men are mocking him. Because he preached Jesus and the resurrection (ευαγγελιζω — hoti ton Iēsoun kai tēn anastasin euēggelizato). Reason for the view just stated. Imperfect middle indicative of αναστασις — euaggelizō to “gospelize.” Apparently these critics considered anastasis (Resurrection) another deity on a par with Jesus. The Athenians worshipped all sorts of abstract truths and virtues and they misunderstood Paul on this subject. They will leave him as soon as he mentions the resurrection (Acts 17:32). It is objected that Luke would not use the word in this sense here for his readers would not under stand him. But Luke is describing the misapprehension of this group of philosophers and this interpretation fits in precisely. [source]
Ephesians 6:16 Fiery darts [τὰ βέλη τὰ πεπυρωμένα]
Lit., the darts, those which have been set on fire. Herodotas says that the Persians attacked the citadel of Athens “with arrows whereto pieces of lighted tow were attached, which they shot at the barricade” (viii., 52). Thucydides: “the Plataeans constructed a wooden frame, which they set up on the top of their own wall opposite the mound … . They also hung curtains of skills and hides in front: these were designed to protect the woodwork and the workers, and shield them against blazing arrows” (ii. 75). Livy tells of a huge dart used at the siege of Saguntum, which was impelled by twisted ropes. “There was used by the Saguntines a missile weapon called falarica, with the shaft of fir, and round in other parts, except toward the point, whence the iron projected. This part, which was square, they bound around with tow and besmeared with pitch. It had an iron head three feet in length, so that it could pierce through the body with the armor. But what caused the greatest fear was that this weapon, even though it stuck in the shield and did not penetrate into the body, when it was discharged with the middle part on fire, and bore along a much greater flame produced by the mere motion, obliged the armor to be thrown down, and exposed the soldier to succeeding blows” (xxi. 8). Again, of the siege of Ambracia by the Romans: “Some advanced with burning torches, others carrying tow and pitch and fire-darts, their entire line being illuminated by the blaze” (xxxviii. 6). Compare Psalm 7:13, where the correct rendering is, “His arrows He maketh fiery arrows.” Temptation is thus represented as impelled from a distance. Satan attacks by indirection - through good things from which no evil is suspected. There is a hint of its propagating power: one sin draws another in its track: the flame of the fire-tipped dart spreads. Temptation acts on susceptible material. Self-confidence is combustible. Faith, in doing away with dependence on self, takes away fuel for the dart. It creates sensitiveness to holy influences by which the power of temptation is neutralized. It enlists the direct aid of God. See 1 Corinthians 10:13; Luke 22:32; James 1:2; 1 Peter 4:12; 2 Peter 2:9. [source]
1 Thessalonians 3:3 We are appointed [κείμεθα]
As Luke 2:34(see note); Philemon 1:17. Comp. Acts 14:22, in which occur four of the words used here. For the thought, see Matthew 5:10; Matthew 10:17; Matthew 16:24; 1 Peter 2:21ff.; 1 Peter 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:12. [source]
Hebrews 13:2 Have entertained angels unawares [ἔλαθόν τινες ξεσίσαντες ἀγγέλους]
The Greek idiom is, “were not apparent as entertaining angels.” The verb ἔλαθον wereconcealed represents the adverb unawares. For similar instances see Mark 14:8; Acts 12:16; Aristoph. Wasps, 517; Hdt. i. 44; Hom. Il. xiii. 273. Ξενίζειν toreceive as a guest, mostly in Acts. In lxx only in the apocryphal books. In later Greek, to surprise with a novelty; passive, to be surprised or shocked. So 1 Peter 4:4, 1 Peter 4:12; comp. 2Ep. of Clem. of Rome (so called), xvii.: To be a stranger or to be strange, once in N.T., Acts 17:20. Ξενισμός amazementperplexity, not in N.T. lxx, Proverbs 15:17. Comp. Ignatius, Eph. xix. The allusion to the unconscious entertainment of angels is probably to Matthew href="/desk/?q=mt+25:34-46&sr=1">Matthew 25:34-46. [source]
Hebrews 13:9 Be not carried away [μη παραπερεστε]
Prohibition with μη — mē and present passive imperative of παραπερω — parapherō old verb to lead along (Judges 1:12), to carry past (Mark 14:36), to lead astray as here. By divers and strange teachings For ποικιλος — poikilos (many coloured) see Hebrews 2:4. Χενος — Xenos for guest we have had in Hebrews 11:13, but here as adjective meaning unheard of (1 Peter 4:12) as in older Greek also. The new is not always wrong any more than the old is always right (Matthew 13:52). But the air was already full of new and strange teachings that fascinated many by their very novelty. The warning here is always needed. Cf. Galatians 1:6-9; 2 Timothy 3:16. That the heart be established by grace Present passive infinitive of βεβαιοω — bebaioō (from βαινω — bainō) to make stable with the instrumental case χαριτι — chariti (by grace) and the accusative of general reference How true it is that in the atmosphere of so many windy theories only the heart is stable that has an experience of God‘s grace in Christ. That occupied themselves “That walked” in the ritualistic Jewish rules about meats. Were not profited First aorist passive indicative of ωπελεω — ōpheleō to help. Mere Jewish ceremonialism and ritualism failed to build up the spiritual life. It was sheer folly to give up Christ for Pharisaism or for Moses. [source]
1 Peter 4:4 They think it strange [χενιζονται]
Present passive indicative of χενιζω — xenizō old verb (from χενος — xenos stranger), to entertain a guest (Acts 10:23), to astonish (Acts 17:20). See also 1 Peter 4:12. “They are surprised or astonished.”That ye run not with them (μη συντρεχοντων υμων — mē suntrechontōn humōn). Genitive absolute (negative μη — mē) with present active participle of συντρεχω — suntrechō old compound, to run together like a crowd or a mob as here (just like our phrase, “running with certain folks”).Into the same excess of riot Αναχυσιν — Anachusin (from αναχεω — anacheō to pour forth) is a late and rare word, our overflowing, here only in N.T. Ασωτιας — Asōtias is the character of an abandoned man Present active participle of βλασπημεω — blasphēmeō as in Luke 22:65. “The Christians were compelled to stand aloof from all the social pleasures of the world, and the Gentiles bitterly resented their puritanism, regarding them as the enemies of all joy, and therefore of the human race” (Bigg). [source]
2 Peter 2:22 It has happened [συμβεβηκεν]
Perfect active indicative of συμβαινω — sumbainō for which see 1 Peter 4:12. [source]
Revelation 18:9 When they look upon [οταν βλεπωσιν]
Indefinite temporal clause with οταν — hotan and the present active subjunctive of βλεπω — blepō smoke of her burning Πυρωσις — Purōsis is an old word (from πυροω — puroō to burn), in N.T. only 1 Peter 4:12; Revelation 18:9, Revelation 18:18. See Revelation 18:8 for other plagues on Rome, but fire seems to be the worst (Revelation 17:16; Revelation 18:8, Revelation 18:9, Revelation 18:17; Revelation 19:3). [source]
Revelation 18:9 And wail over her [και κοπσονται επ αυτην]
Future direct middle of κοπτω — koptō old verb, to beat, to cut, middle to beat oneself (Revelation 1:7). For combination with κλαιω — klaiō as here see Luke 8:52. See Revelation 17:2; Revelation 18:3, Revelation 18:7 for οι πορνευσαντες και στρηνιασαντες — hoi porneusantes kai strēniasantes).When they look upon (οταν βλεπωσιν — hotan blepōsin). Indefinite temporal clause with οταν — hotan and the present active subjunctive of βλεπω — blepō smoke of her burning (τον καπνον της πυρωσεως αυτης — ton kapnon tēs purōseōs autēs). Πυρωσις — Purōsis is an old word (from πυροω — puroō to burn), in N.T. only 1 Peter 4:12; Revelation 18:9, Revelation 18:18. See Revelation 18:8 for other plagues on Rome, but fire seems to be the worst (Revelation 17:16; Revelation 18:8, Revelation 18:9, Revelation 18:17; Revelation 19:3). [source]

What do the individual words in 1 Peter 4:12 mean?

Beloved not be surprised at the among you fire for a trial to you taking place as if a strange thing were happening
Ἀγαπητοί μὴ ξενίζεσθε τῇ ἐν ὑμῖν πυρώσει πρὸς πειρασμὸν ὑμῖν γινομένῃ ὡς ξένου συμβαίνοντος

Ἀγαπητοί  Beloved 
Parse: Adjective, Vocative Masculine Plural
Root: ἀγαπητός  
Sense: beloved, esteemed, dear, favourite, worthy of love.
ξενίζεσθε  be  surprised  at 
Parse: Verb, Present Imperative Middle or Passive, 2nd Person Plural
Root: ξενίζω  
Sense: to receive as a guest, to entertain, hospitably.
πυρώσει  fire 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: πύρωσις  
Sense: a burning.
πειρασμὸν  a  trial 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: πειρασμός  
Sense: an experiment, attempt, trial, proving.
ὑμῖν  to  you 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative 2nd Person Plural
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
γινομένῃ  taking  place 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle or Passive, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: γίνομαι  
Sense: to become, i.
ὡς  as  if 
Parse: Adverb
Root: ὡς 
Sense: as, like, even as, etc.
ξένου  a  strange  thing 
Parse: Adjective, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root: ξένος  
Sense: a foreigner, a stranger.
συμβαίνοντος  were  happening 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root: συμβαίνω  
Sense: to walk with the feet near together.