1 Peter 1:7
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
Original Language Analysis
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πίστεως
faith
G4102
πίστεως
faith
Strong's:
G4102
Word #:
6 of 26
persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ
πολυ
being much
G4183
πολυ
being much
Strong's:
G4183
Word #:
7 of 26
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
τιμιώτερον
more precious
G5093
τιμιώτερον
more precious
Strong's:
G5093
Word #:
8 of 26
valuable, i.e., (objectively) costly, or (subjectively) honored, esteemed, or (figuratively) beloved
χρυσίου
than of gold
G5553
χρυσίου
than of gold
Strong's:
G5553
Word #:
9 of 26
a golden article, i.e., gold plating, ornament, or coin
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀπολλυμένου
that perisheth
G622
ἀπολλυμένου
that perisheth
Strong's:
G622
Word #:
11 of 26
to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively
διὰ
though
G1223
διὰ
though
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
12 of 26
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
πυρὸς
with fire
G4442
πυρὸς
with fire
Strong's:
G4442
Word #:
13 of 26
"fire" (literally or figuratively, specially, lightning)
δοκιμαζομένου
it be tried
G1381
δοκιμαζομένου
it be tried
Strong's:
G1381
Word #:
15 of 26
to test (literally or figuratively); by implication, to approve
εἰς
unto
G1519
εἰς
unto
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
17 of 26
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
19 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τιμὴν
honour
G5092
τιμὴν
honour
Strong's:
G5092
Word #:
20 of 26
a value, i.e., money paid, or (concretely and collectively) valuables; by analogy, esteem (especially of the highest degree), or the dignity itself
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
21 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
δόξαν
glory
G1391
δόξαν
glory
Strong's:
G1391
Word #:
22 of 26
glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective)
Cross References
Job 23:10But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.James 1:12Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.Isaiah 48:10Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.1 Peter 4:12Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:Proverbs 17:3The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.Romans 2:7To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:Zechariah 13:9And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.1 Corinthians 3:13Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.Malachi 3:3And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.Jude 1:24Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
Historical Context
In first-century context, gold refining was common knowledge—metallurgists heated gold to extreme temperatures, causing impurities to rise as dross to be skimmed off. Multiple heatings progressively purified the gold until the refiner could see his reflection in the molten metal. Peter's readers, many facing literal fires of persecution (Nero later burned Christians as torches), understood the metaphor viscerally. Their trials served divine purpose: not punishment but purification, producing faith of demonstrable genuineness that would receive divine commendation at Christ's return. This eschatological perspective transformed suffering from meaningless tragedy to meaningful preparation for glory. Early church fathers like Tertullian noted that persecution, rather than destroying Christianity, refined it—shallow professors apostatized while genuine believers' faith shone brighter.
Questions for Reflection
- What specific 'impurities' (false motives, worldly attachments, sinful habits) are current trials revealing and refining in your faith?
- How does knowing that tested faith will result in 'praise, honor, and glory' at Christ's return change your perspective on present suffering?
Analysis & Commentary
Peter explains the purpose of trials mentioned in verse 6, employing gold refining as metaphor for faith's testing. "That the trial of your faith" (to dokimion hymōn tēs pisteōs, τὸ δοκίμιον ὑμῶν τῆς πίστεως) uses dokimion, meaning the proving or testing that demonstrates genuineness. God tests faith not to discover its quality (He knows) but to display and strengthen it. The comparative phrase "being much more precious than of gold" establishes faith's incomparable value—gold, humanity's most treasured metal, is apollymenou (ἀπολλυμένου, perishing), subject to ultimate destruction, while tested faith endures eternally. The participial phrase "though it be tried with fire" describes metallurgical refining—gold melted in crucibles to remove impurities, emerging purer and more valuable. Similarly, trials burn away spiritual dross (false profession, worldly attachments, sinful habits) while genuine faith emerges strengthened. The purpose clause "might be found unto praise and honour and glory" (heurethē eis epainon kai timēn kai doxan, εὑρεθῇ εἰς ἔπαινον καὶ τιμὴν καὶ δόξαν) reveals trials' eschatological goal: when Christ returns, tested faith will result in divine commendation (praise), heavenly reward (honor), and eternal splendor (glory). The phrase "at the appearing of Jesus Christ" (en apokalypsei Iēsou Christou, ἐν ἀποκαλύψει Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ) anchors hope in Christ's second coming when all hidden realities become visible.