1:7

In the Greek text, this verse continues the long sentence that began with 1:6. However, the sentence is still very complex and it may be helpful to break it up still further. See the General Comment on 1:7 at the end of 1:7e for some suggestions.

In this verse, Peter wrote more about trials and suffering. He told his readers that the people who continue to trust in Jesus Christ when they are tested by troubles will receive praise, glory, and honor when Jesus returns to this earth. Scholars interpret the details of this verse in different ways.

1:7a

so that: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as so that introduces the purpose of the trials that believers were suffering. In some languages it may be helpful to start a new sentence here. For example:

These have come so that…. (New International Version)
-or-
Their purpose is to prove… (Good News Translation)
-or-
These trials will show that… (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
God allows these difficulties to happen…

the proven character of your faith: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as proven character indicates that something has been tested and that the test has shown that it is real, pure, or sincere. In this context it probably refers to the proven sincerity of the readers’ faith in God. Their trials had tested their faith and shown it to be genuine. Some other ways to translate this expression are:

will show that your faith is genuine (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
show the proven character of your faith (NET Bible)
-or-
prove that your faith is pure (New Century Version)

your faith: The word faith refers here to the action of trusting someone and believing in him. In this context Peter is speaking of having steadfast loyalty to God/Christ.

In some languages it may be natural to translate faith as a verb and to supply the object. For example:

trust ⌊God/Christ⌋
-or-
believe ⌊in God/Christ⌋

In some languages it may be necessary to translate proven character and faith as one or more verb phrases. For example:

so that when the tests have proved that you have truly/sincerely trusted ⌊God⌋

1:7b

more precious than gold: The phrase more precious than gold indicates that God greatly valued the fact that the believers genuinely trusted him. Their faith was worth more than any amount of gold or any worldly treasure. Here is another way to translate this phrase:

which is more valuable than gold (NET Bible)

gold: The word gold refers to a very valuable metal that is strong and beautiful. It lasts a long time. If gold is not known in your area, you may need to use a general expression to describe it. For example:

expensive/valuable metal

1:7c

which perishes even though refined by fire: The phrase which perishes even though refined by fire implies two facts:

(a) People test gold for purity by putting it in a very hot fire. (The fire melts the gold so that they can remove the impurities.)

(b) They do this work even though gold is perishable (will not last for ever).

Other ways to say this are:

gold is perishable, yet/but men test it by fire
-or-
even though gold will perish, ⌊people⌋ test it ⌊for purity⌋ by fire

perishes: The Greek words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as perishes here implies that gold is only a material object and will not last for ever. It is temporary and will someday be destroyed. This is in contrast to genuine faith, which will last even after Jesus Christ is revealed. Some other ways to translate perishes are:

that can be destroyed (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
will be ruined
-or-
that will not last for ever

refined by fire: People used a very hot fire to heat gold. They would melt it to test it and see if it was pure. If gold is pure, when it is melted no impurities will float to the top. Our faith is compared to gold. Both must be tested to be sure they are without impurities. Some other ways to translate this clause are:

made pure by heating it with fire
-or-
shown to be only ⌊gold⌋, nothing else, by ⌊testing it with very hot⌋ fire
-or-
proved to be free of anything else by ⌊heating it with extremely hot⌋ fire

1:7d

may result in praise, glory, and honor: The phrase may result in praise, glory, and honor is literally “may be found unto praise and glory and honor.” Their genuine faith will cause God to praise, glorify, and give honor to them. The verb “found” expresses result. Other ways to say this are:

may redound to praise and glory and honor (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
will bring praise, glory, and honor (NET Bible)

praise, glory, and honor: These words express actions. In some languages it may be necessary to specify who gives and receives the praise, glory, and honor. The most likely interpretation is that God will give praise, glory, and honor to believers. He will praise them, glorify them, and honor them (which they will, in turn, give back to God). In some languages it may be necessary to make either the receiver or both giver and receiver explicit. For example:

Then you will receive praise, glory, and honor (Good News Translation)
-or-
and so [because you truly trust him] ⌊God⌋ will give ⌊you⌋ praise, glory, and honor
-or-
Then ⌊God⌋ will praise, honor, and glorify ⌊you⌋

The words praise, glory, and honor are similar in meaning.

praise: In this context praise implies that God will express his approval of the believers. He will speak well of them.

⌊God⌋ will praise ⌊you⌋

glory: In this context the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as glory is similar in meaning to “honor” or “praise.” Some other ways to say this are:

make high
-or-

⌊God⌋ will exalt ⌊you⌋

honor: In this context honor indicates that God will treat believers as valuable and worthy to be respected. Some other ways to translate this word include:

make famous
-or-
cause to be respected

1:7e

at the revelation of Jesus Christ: The phrase at the revelation of Jesus Christ means “when Jesus Christ is revealed.” This refers to the time when Jesus Christ will return to the world and reveal (show) himself to people. At that time everyone will see him and know who he is. Other ways to say this are:

when Jesus Christ appears again (God’s Word)
-or-
when Jesus Christ reveals himself ⌊to everyone⌋
-or-
when Jesus Christ shows ⌊people⌋ who he is

General Comments on 1:7

The Berean Standard Bible translates this verse and verse 6 as one long sentence. In some languages it may be helpful to use more sentences to express the ideas. For example:

The purpose ⌊of these trials⌋ is that ⌊your faith might be proved genuine. And⌋ your genuine faith is more precious than gold. For even though men test gold with fire, the gold will eventually perish. ⌊But your faith⌋ will bring you praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

In some languages it may be more natural to reorder the information in this verse. There are different ways to do this. For example:

7a
⌊God has allowed these trials⌋ so that when your faith is proved genuine 7d ⌊he⌋ may give ⌊you⌋ praise, glory, and honor. 7e This will happen on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed. 7c Gold is tested by fire, even though it will perish. 7b And your genuine/tested faith is more valuable than gold.
-or-

7a
⌊These trials are testing your faith⌋ in order to prove that it is genuine. 7c In a similar way, people use fire to test gold, even though gold is perishable. 7b Genuine faith is more precious than gold. 7d It will bring you praise, glory, and honor 7e when Christ appears ⌊on earth⌋.

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