1 Peter 1:7
What does 1 Peter 1:7 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Peter 1:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Peter 1:7 means
Trials are purposeful: they prove and purify faith, which is “more precious than gold.” Gold perishes, even though it is refined by fire; faith, tested by the fires of hardship, endures and is of greater worth. The outcome of such testing is that genuine faith “may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” God’s refining aims at the final assessment when Christ is revealed—either praise given to God for his work in believers, or honor conferred upon faithful ones. The image assures sufferers that present heat is not punitive but preparatory, shaping a faith fit for Christ’s coming.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold that perisheth though it is proved by fire, may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ:
KJV
King James Version · 1611That 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:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold that perisheth though it is proved by fire, may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So that the true metal of your faith, being of much greater value than gold (which, though it comes to an end, is tested by fire), may come to light in praise and glory and honour, at the revelation of Jesus Christ:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862that the proof of your faith--much more precious than of gold that is perishing, and through fire being approved--may be found to praise, and honour, and glory, in the revelation of Jesus Christ,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752That the trial of your faith (much more precious than gold which is tried by the fire) may be found unto praise and glory and honour at the appearing of Jesus Christ.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890that the proving of your faith, much more precious than of gold which perishes, though it be proved by fire, be found to praise and glory and honour in [the] revelation of Jesus Christ:
Context
Verse 7 explains the divine logic of the “manifold trials” in verse 6. It keeps the focus forward, to “the revelation of Jesus Christ,” a theme echoed in verses 8 and 13. Having grounded their endurance in hope, Peter next highlights love for the unseen Christ (v. 8) and the present reception of salvation’s goal (v. 9), sustaining believers amid refining pressures.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Peter 1:4
whereby he hath granted unto us his precious and exceeding great promises; that through these ye may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world by lust.
- Job 23:10
But he knoweth the way that I take; When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
- Acts 8:20
But Peter said unto him, Thy silver perish with thee, because thou hast thought to obtain the gift of God with money.
- 1 Peter 2:7
For you therefore that believe is the preciousness: but for such as disbelieve, The stone which the builders rejected, The same was made the head of the corner;
- 1 Peter 2:4
unto whom coming, a living stone, rejected indeed of men, but with God elect, precious,
- 2 Peter 1:1
Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained a like precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God and the Saviour Jesus Christ:
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