ἀγαπητοί marks the beginning of the third division of the Epistle in which Peter having cleared the ground faces at last the pressing problem. ξενίζεσθε, be surprised, as in 1 Peter 4:4. τῇ ἐν ὑμῖν πυρώσει, the ordeal which is in your midst or rather in your hearts. ἐν ὑμῖν, cf. τὸ ἐν ὑμῖν ποίμνιον (1 Peter 5:1) but the test is internal in what frame of mind will they meet it? Will they regard it as a strange thing or as a share in Christ's sufferings, part of the pattern? πυρώσει This conception of suffering as a trial not vindictive is stated in Judges 8:25; Judges 8:27, ἐκείνους ἐπύρωσεν εἰς ἐτασμὸν καρδίας αὐτῶν; compare Zechariah 13:9, πυρώσω αὐτοὺς ὡς πυροῦται ἀργύριον, Proverbs 27:21, χρυσῷ πύρωσις parallels but a man is tried … π. also occurs in the sense of blasting, Amos 4:9; Revelation 18:9; Revelation 18:18.

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Old Testament