12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;
13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
Verse twelve — The word “beloved” is in the Greek, “beloved ones.” The word is the Greek word which speaks of God’s divine and infinite love. We could translate, “divinely loved ones.” … The words “think it not strange,” are literally “stop thinking it a thing alien” to you. … They are exhorted by Peter to think it a natural and expected thing that such suffering for righteousness’ sake would come in view of the world’s hatred of Christ, and therefore to one who bears His name and reflects Him in his life.
The words “fiery trial” is … a smelting furnace where gold is refined. … It is used in these passages to refer to a smelting furnace and the smelting process in which gold or silver ore is purified. — Wuest, pages 118-119.
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