Wisdom in the Midst of

Trials
1 Peter 1:3-9 New International Version

3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He
has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus
Christ from the dead, 4  and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or
fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5  who through faith are
shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be
revealed in the last time.
6  In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had
to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7  These have come so that the proven
genuineness of your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even
though refined by fire-may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is
revealed. 8  Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you
do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and
glorious joy, 9  for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of
your souls.
• The recipients of this epistle are the sojourners or exiles who are dispersed in
Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia—all of which were located in
Asia Minor (which we know today as Turkey).
• Peter identifies himself as an apostle—one of those chosen by Jesus Christ to
proclaim the Gospel and to provide direction to the church. Apostolic counsel is
authoritative—not merely advisory.
• This letter includes references to trials, harsh treatment, and suffering that
these sojourners are experiencing (1:6-7). The great Roman persecutions would
not yet have begun, so these would most likely be the result of local
opposition. The recipients of this letter were probably mostly Gentiles (1:14,
18; 4:3-4). This book encourages them with a vision of “an incorruptible and
undefiled inheritance that doesn’t fade away, reserved in Heaven for you” (1:4)
—and calls them to live holy lives (1:15; 2:9)—to rejoice in their status as God’s
chosen people. It holds up the prospect of rewards that they will experience in
the future (1:8; 4:13ff)—and encourages them to stand fast in their faith in the
midst of adversity.
“Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have
been put to grief in various trials” (Greek: peirasmos) (v. 6). Peter characterizes
the present as a time of grief and trials. However, he puts that in perspective by
noting that the difficulties that these Christians are experiencing are but are “for a
little while.” Furthermore, he characterizes their sufferings as peirasmos—trials,
tests.
1. God often tests people to prove their faith. Vs 7
• God tested Abraham by telling him to sacrifice his son Isaac (Genesis 22:1-19).
Abraham passed that test with flying colors (Hebrews 11:17-19).
• God tested the Israelites in the wilderness to humble them, to prove them, and
to learn what was in their hearts—whether they would keep God’s
commandments (Deuteronomy 8:2) and whether they would love God with all
their heart and soul (Deuteronomy 13:3; see also Exodus 15:25; 16:4; 20:20;
Judges 2:22; 3:1, 4). The testing was intended to do them good rather than harm,
but the corrective discipline was usually painful).
2. Test our Devotion and Faithfulness to God
• God also tests Christians The person who passes those
tests today can expect to be spared testing at the end of
time (Revelation 3:10)
“may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the
revelation of Jesus Christ” (v. 7c). It is the proof of their faith
(v. 7a) that will result in “praise, glory, and honor”—
expressions of joy and worship. This will take place “at the
revelation of Jesus Christ—almost surely meaning at Christ’s
Second Coming.
3. To purify us.
• “which is more precious than gold that perishes even though
it is tested by fire” (v. 7b). It is their faith (v. 7a) that is more
precious than gold.
Fire purifies gold by melting it, in the process causing some
impurities to burn away and others to float to the surface so
they can be skimmed off. In like manner, our adversities, if met
with faith, refine, purify, and strengthen us.
When Peter says that gold perishes, perhaps he is referring to
the fact that “we brought nothing into the world, and we
certainly can’t carry anything out” (1 Timothy 6:7; see also
James 5:1-6).
“whom not having known you love; in whom, though now you don’t see him,
yet believing, you rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory” (v. 8).
It is Jesus Christ (v. 7c) whom they have not known but nevertheless love. Unlike
Peter and the other apostles, these Christians from Asia Minor were not
privileged to see Jesus in person. By the time they became Christians, Jesus had
long since ascended into heaven. Jesus knew that most Christians would never
see him in the flesh, and so he told Thomas (who had seen the resurrected
Jesus), “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who
have not seen, and have believed” (John 20:29). Because of the faith of these
Asia Minor Christians, God will give them joy beyond expressing and will fill them
with glory.
“receiving (Greek: komizomenoi) the result of your faith, the salvation of your
souls” (Greek:psyche) (v. 9). The word komizomenoi is sometimes used to speak
of someone who is receiving a reward (Ephesians 6:8; Hebrews 11:13-16). The
reward that these Christians can expect to receive for their faith is the salvation
of their souls.
What then should our response to trial?
1. Remember that God is in control of the time
and intensity of my trial.
2. He has an specific purpose for allowing it.
3. It is designed to meet a specific need in life.
4. Always pray.
Conclusion:

We can rejoice in trials when we response