Trial By Fire Series

Paul’s admonition to Timothy

2 Timothy 3:12 [12]Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, (ESV)

and the apostle John’s warning,

1 John 3:13 [13]Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. (ESV)

Beloved (agapçtos, cf. 2:11) is a common pastoral word conveying tenderness, compassion, affection, and care (cf. 1 Cor. 4:14; 1 Thess. 2:8).

Such love provides a sweet pillow for believers’ weary souls to rest on in the midst of trials and persecutions. Severe suffering can tempt them to doubt God’s love. Thus the apostle sought to reassure his readers of his and God’s unfailing love.

The phrase do not be surprised informs believers to expect that the gospel of Christ will be offensive to many and will produce persecution. The original Greek is zenizô, meaning “to be surprised or astonished” by the novelty of something.

As saints are obedient to God’s Word and effective in proclaiming the gospel, animosity from unbelievers is inevitable. Whether it is hostility toward their exclusive message, their efforts to evangelize, or their godly lifestyle.

While the term rendered fiery trial/ordeal (purôsis) portrays figuratively a painful experience of persecution, it is also used of a furnace melting down metal to purge it of impurities (cf. Ps. 66:10; Prov. 17:3;).

1 Peter 1:7 [7]so that the tested genuineness of your faith--more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire--may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (ESV)

Peter is saying that the persecution is the Lord refining His temple—His people.

-With an allusion to the smelter’s fire, Peter intimates that gold is refined by fire so the believer’s faith is tested/refined and proved genuine through suffering.

-God wants to separate true faith from pretense, and He uses the instrument of suffering to accomplish His purpose.

Poem: An Unknown author expressed this concept in a Poem called: “In the Crucible”

Out from the mine and the darkness,

Out from the damp and the mold,

Out from the fiery furnace,

Cometh each grain of gold.

Crushed into atoms and leveled

Down to the humblest dust

With never a heart to pity,

With never a hand to trust.

Molten and hammered and beaten

Seemeth it ne’er to be done.

Oh, for such fiery trial,

What hath the poor gold done?

Oh, ’twere a mercy to leave it

Down in the damp and the mold.

If this is the glory of living,

Then better to be dross than gold.

Under the press and the roller,

Into the jaws of the mint,

Stamped with the emblem of freedom,

With never a flaw or a dint.

Oh, what a joy, the refining,

Out of the damp and the mold.

And stamped with the glorious image,

Oh, beautiful coin of gold!

Such mistreatment comes upon believers is also to their test, proving the genuineness of their faith (cf. Job 23:10; Rom. 5:3; 2 Cor. 1:10; 2 Tim. 3:11; James 1:3–12). Suffering for righteousness’ sake not only refines, but, even before that, reveals whether people are truly believers.

Romans 5:3 [3]More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, (ESV)