One House : 1 PeterSample

Sharing Christ’s Sufferings

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

1 Peter 4:12–14 ESV

“Do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you.” The phrase ‘fiery trial’ brings together two familiar thoughts from earlier in Peter’s letter.

Fire is something that purifies—it removes contamination. The word trial here is used in its positive sense—something difficult that will ultimately be used for our good. Peter says that Christians should expect to be purified through trials and that those trials, though hard to endure, will work out for our benefit. How exactly? The Bible says that when we believe in Christ, we are united with him—meaning our lives will be a small imitation of his own. When we endure trials, we’re sharing in Christ’s suffering, but when we share in Christ’s suffering, we can also be assured that we will share in his glory. We don’t get one or the other; if we are Christ’s, we should expect both.

The passage ends with an assurance that when we suffer fiery trials, the Spirit of God will give us a strong sense of his presence to bless and strengthen us.