1 Peter 4:12

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you More literally, be not amazed (see, for the word, notes on 1 Peter 4:4) at the burning fire among you that comes to you as a test. The "burning fire" (the word is used literally in Revelation 18:9; Revelation 18:18) is, of course, the symbol, as in chap. 1 Peter 1:7, of afflictions and persecutions. The mind of the Apostle once more goes back to these afflictions, as before in chap. 1 Peter 1:6-7; 1 Peter 2:19-21; 1 Peter 3:15-17. He meets the terror which they were likely to cause by the thought that all this was to be expected. Men were to enter into the kingdom of God "through much tribulation" (Acts 14:22). All "they that would live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12). The strange thing would be if it were otherwise. And so the Apostle repeats his "think it not strange," be not amazed, as the secret of calm endurance. It was for him and those to whom he wrote what the Nil admirariwas for the Epicurean poet (Hor. Epp. i. 6). As before, he dwells on the leading character of suffering. It tries faith, and the faith which endures is stronger and purer for the process.