THAT THE PROOF OF YOUR FAITH: hina to dokimion humon tes pisteo: (1 Peter 4:12; Job23:10; Ps 66:10-12; Pr17:3; Is48:10; Je9:7; Zec13:9; Mal 3:3; Ro 5:3,4; Js1:3,4,;1:12  Rev2:10; 3:10)  (See John Piper's Sermon Joy Through the Fiery Trial of Genuine Faith) (Torrey's Topic Afflictions made beneficial) (Behind a Frowning Providence - Why Christians Suffer by John A Murray) (See John Piper's book online - The Hidden Smile of God - The Fruit of Affliction in the Lives of John Bunyan, William Cowper, and David Brainerd)

Related Resources:

Torrey's Topic Afflictions made beneficial

Behind a Frowning Providence - Why Christians Suffer by John A Murray

John Piper's online book - The Hidden Smile of God - The Fruit of Affliction in the Lives of John Bunyan, William Cowper, and David Brainerd

Spurgeon

Gilt looks very much like gold but it will not stand the fire. It curls and disappears. Oh! to be solid gold through and through. If so, you need not mind the trials of to-day, since they will only prepare you for the glories eternal at the appearing of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1- Commentary)

Matthew Henry wrote that...

Afflictions are sent for this end, to bring us to the throne of grace, to teach us to pray and to make the word of God's grace precious to us... Many are taught with the briars and thorns of affliction that would not learn otherwise.

Henry Law explained it this way...

This school of trial best discloses the hidden vileness of the heart and the vast riches of a Saviour's grace.

D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones wrote that...

Christian people are generally at their best when they are in the furnace of affliction and being persecuted and tried....Trials and tribulations are very good for us in that they help us to know ourselves better than we knew ourselves before.

Proof  (1383) (dokimon from dokimazo from dokimos = proved, tried as metals by fire and thus purified, in turn from dechomai = to accept deliberately and readily, receive)  describes both the process of determining the genuineness of something (in this case of our faith) or the result, this latter specifically referring to the genuineness of something (our faith) as the result of testing.

The verb dokimazo describes putting someone or something to the test with a view of determining whether it is worthy of being approved or not, the test being made with the intention of approving if possible. Dokimazo was used of the act of examining candidates for the degree of Doctor of Medicine.

In a similar way, Thomas Manton explained that...

Trial is not only to approve, but to improve.

The genuine element in the faith of Peter's readers would be proven by a process similar to that of metal refining and ultimately would be found to be something more precious than even these precious metals.

James in the only other NT use of dokimon exhorts tried saints to

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing (dokimon) of your faith produces endurance." (Js 1:2-3)

As Matthew Henry says

the faith of good people is tried, that they themselves may have the comfort of it, God the glory of it, and others the benefit of it.

J. Vernon McGee adds

When God tests us today, He puts us into the furnace. He doesn’t do that to destroy us or to hurt or harm us. But He wants pure gold, and that is the way He will get it. Friend, that is what develops Christian character. At the time of testing, the dross is drawn off and the precious gold appears. That is God’s method. That is God’s school. We don’t hear that teaching very much in our day. Rather, we are being taught to become sufficient within ourselves. Oh, my friend, you and I are not adequate; we are not sufficient, and we never will be. We simply come to God as sinners, and He saves us by His grace through the blood of Christ. Then He wants to live His life through us. He tries to teach us this through our trials. He is drawing us closer to Him. (McGee, J V: Thru the Bible Commentary:  Thomas Nelson or Logos)

Roger M. Raymer writes that

Knowledge alone cannot produce the great joy of experiential security and freedom from fear in the face of persecution. God’s omnipotent sovereignty needs to be coupled with human responsibility. Christians are responsible to respond in faith. Faith turns sound doctrine into sound practice. Faith acts on the content of theology and produces conduct that corresponds to that content. Faith makes theological security experiential. The Apostle John wrote, “This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith” (1Jn 5:4). This kind of faith or living hope can enable believers to rejoice even when they are called on to suffer grief. (Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., et al: The Bible Knowledge Commentary. 1985. Victor or Logos)

Genuine faith is indestructible. Job suffered more intense "multi colored trials" in one day than probably any other individual in history and yet he was able to say

Though He slay me, I will hope (wait for) in Him." (Job 13:15)

Wiersbe comments that

This is one of the greatest declarations of faith found anywhere in Scripture, but it must be understood in its context. Job is saying, “I will take my case directly to God and prove my integrity. I know I am taking my life in my hands in approaching God, because He is able to slay me. But if He doesn’t slay me, it is proof that I am not the hypocrite you say I am." (Wiersbe, W. Be patient. An Old Testament study. Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books)

Later Job declared

He (God) knows the way I take. When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold." (Job 23:10)

God knew that Job was in the furnace of affliction, but it was a furnace of God’s appointment and was not because of Job’s sin. Furthermore, God would use Job’s affliction to purify him and make him a better man. This is not the only answer to the frequently asked question, “Why do the righteous suffer?” but it is one of the best, and it can bring the sufferer great encouragement.

Warren Wiersbe aptly describes the process of divine testing writing that

When God puts His own people into the furnace, He keeps His eye on the clock and His hand on the thermostat. He knows how long and how much. (If we rebel, He may have to reset the clock; but if we submit, He will not permit us to suffer one minute too long. The important thing is that we learn the lesson He wants to teach us and that we bring glory to Him alone.) We may question why He does it to begin with, or why He doesn’t turn down the heat or even turn it off; but our questions are only evidences of unbelief. (Job 23:10) is the answer: “But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come come forth as gold” (NKJV). Gold does not fear the fire. The furnace can only make the gold purer and brighter." (Wiersbe, W. Be Patient. An Old Testament study. Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books)

Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego were literally tested by an "extremely hot...furnace of blazing fire". The Babylonian furnace proved their faith to be real and burned away the ropes that held them, setting them free. King Nebuchadnezzar in utter astonishment observed

"four men loosed & walking about in the midst of the fire without harm & the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods". In their "multi colored fiery trial", they also came to experience the companionship of a fourth Person in the fire Who many consider to be “the Son of God” Who provided just the right "color" of grace to meet their need. (Da 3:12-30)

A dark hour makes Jesus bright.
--Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Gold is tested by fire
Man is tested by adversity
(See Our Daily Bread)

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F. B. Meyer (Our Daily Walk, Feb 21) comments on on 1 Peter 1:7 in his devotional entitled The Refiner's Fire...

NOTHING IS harder to bear than the apparent aimlessness of suffering.

They say that what breaks a convict's heart in gaol (Ed note: a prison) is to set him to say carry stones from one side of the prison to the other, and then back again!

But we must never look upon the trials of life as punishments, because all penalty was borne by our Lord Himself.

They are intended to destroy the weeds and rubbish of our natures, as the bonfires do in the gardens. Christ regards us in the light of our eternal interests, of which He alone can judge. If you and I knew what sphere we were to fulfill in the other world, we should understand the significance of His dealings with us, as now we cannot do.

The Refiner has a purpose in view, of which those who stand beside Him are ignorant, and, therefore, they are unable to judge the process which He is employing.

Dare to believe that Christ is working to a plan in your life. He loves you. Be patient! He would not take so much trouble unless He knew that it was worth while.

"We do not prune brambles,
or cast common stones into the crucible
or plough sea-sands!"

You must be capable of some special service, which can only be done by a carefully-prepared instrument, and so Christ sits beside you as the Refiner, year after year, that you may miss nothing.  Whilst the Fire is hot keep conversing with the Refiner. Ponder these words: "He shall sit as a Refiner and Purifier of silver." (Malachi 3:3) The thought is specially suitable for those who cannot make long prayers, but they can talk to Christ as He sits beside them. Nicholas Hermann tells us that, as he could not concentrate his mind on prolonged prayer, he gave up set times of prayer and sought constant conversations with Christ. So speak with Him, then, in the midst of your daily toil. He hears the unspoken prayer, and catches your whispers. Talk to Christ about your trials, sorrows, and anxieties! Make Him your Confidant in your joy and happiness! Nothing makes Him so real as to talk to Him aloud about everything! PRAYER: Let the Fire of Thy Love consume in me all sinful desires of the flesh and of the mind, that I may henceforth continually abide in Jesus Christ my Lord, and seek the things where He sits at Thy right hand. AMEN."

From Moody's Today in the Word -

Trials have an uncanny way of revealing what's inside a person. Consider the behavior of some passengers aboard the doomed luxury liner Titanic. As the great ship was sinking and the few lifeboats were being filled, the command on deck was ""women and children first."" According to one survivor, most of the men and older boys obeyed the order. But some men ran back to the ship's staterooms and changed into women's clothing in an effort to gain a seat on a lifeboat. The crisis brought out the worst in these men. What about us? When God sends trials our way, do we respond in fear or in faith?" (Excerpt from Today in the Word)

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GOD MOVES IN A MYSTERIOUS WAY
by William Cowper
(Piper's discussion of his life)

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.

MORE PRECIOUS THAN GOLD WHICH IS PERISHABLE: polutimoteron chrusiou tou apollumenou (PMPNSG):

Precious  (4186) (polytimos from polus = much, great + time = price, honor) literally means "of great price", as that which is very high on a monetary scale and thus very precious or far more valuable and much revered. It  is a word some might think would more likely be used by ladies, but Peter is very fond of "precious" using it some 7 times (not all are "polytimos")  in both his epistles (Click for all NT uses of "precious" by Peter and one by James).

Polytimos is used 3 times in the NT: (1x Mt;1x Jn;1x1 P) 

Jesus used polytimos describing the "the kingdom of heaven" which He declared

is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it. (Mt 13:45-46)

Jesus pictures salvation as something hidden from most people but so very precious that people who have it revealed to them are willing to give up all they have to possess it. How "precious" is genuine faith to the great Refiner's eye!

In describing Mary's (the "Mary" of "Martha and Mary" see Lu 10:39ff) act of love and deep devotion, John records that she

"therefore took a pound of very costly (polytimos) perfume of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume." (Jn 12:3)

Raymer writes that

Even refined gold, though it lasts a long time, eventually perishes (see note 1 Peter 1:18; Js 5:3). It will be valueless in the marketplace of eternity. But faith “purchases” an inheritance that can never perish. (Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., et al: The Bible Knowledge Commentary. 1985. Victor or Logos)

John echoes this truth about gold and other things the world holds precious, declaring that

the world is passing away and also its lusts" (1John 2:17)

Matthew Henry adds

Gold is the most valuable, pure, useful, and durable, of all the metals; so is faith among the Christian virtues; it lasts till it brings the soul to heaven, and then it issues in the glorious fruition of God for ever. The trial of faith is much more precious than the trial of gold; in both there is a purification, a separation of the dross, and a discovery of the soundness and goodness of the things. Gold does not increase and multiply by trial in the fire, it rather grows less; but faith is established, improved, and multiplied, by the oppositions and afflictions that it meets with.

It is not the approved faith, but the approval itself that is in the apostle’s mind here. To illustrate this distinction imagine a gold-mining company wishes to buy a proposed site where gold is said to have been found. But it is not sure whether the metal is real gold or not and whether it is there in sufficient quantity so that a mine if sunk would be a profitable venture. It engages an assayer of metals to take samples of the gold ore to his laboratory and examine them. The assayer sends his report to the effect that the ore contains true gold, and that the gold is found in sufficient quantity so that the venture will pay. The report of the assayer approving the gold ore is of far more value to the mining company than the gold he returns with his report, for upon the basis of the report, the company can go ahead with assurance and buy the land and begin mining operations. The fact that God finds our faith to be one which He can approve, is of far more value to Him and to His glory, than the approved faith, for He has something to work with, a faith that He knows can stand the testing and the trials which may come to the Christian. The fact that God can trust a Christian as one that is dependable, is of great value to Him, God is looking for faithful, dependable workers, not necessarily gifted, educated, cultured ones. It is a “well done, thou good and faithful servant” that will greet the ears of the saint at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

Why compare our faith to gold? - In the ancient world gold was considered the most expensive & rarest of all metals. It was used in the worship of the gods, and was very prominent in the temple of Jerusalem, where the true God was worshipped. Emperors & heroes were know for their lavish use of gold. Under Augustus and Nero the price of the Roman gold coin, the aureus, was worth 45 denarii (a Roman soldier got 225 denarii a year and one denarius was considered to be a day's wage. All of this indicates that a tried, genuine faith is extremely valuable! The known quantity in this statement is the preciousness of gold -- a genuine faith is much more precious than that. (Reinecker & Rogers page 567)

EVEN THOUGH TESTED (and found approved) BY FIRE: dia puros de dokimazomenou (PPPNSG): (Behind a Frowning Providence - Why Christians Suffer by John A Murray)

Pithy quotes and sayings relating to adversities and trials...

God will not permit any troubles to come upon us, unless He has a specific plan by which great blessing can come out of the difficulty. -- Peter Marshall

Afflictions are but the shadow of God's wings. -- George MacDonald

Fire is the test of gold, adversity of strong men.

Our great Teacher writes many a bright lesson on the blackboard of affliction.

As in nature and in the arts, so in grace: it is rough treatment that gives souls, as well as stones, their luster. The more the diamond is cut, the brighter it sparkles, and in what seems hard dealings God has no end in view but to perfect our graces. -- Thomas Guthrie

When I am in the cellar of affliction, I look for the Lord’s choicest wines. -- Samuel Rutherford

If God has made your cup sweet, drink it with grace. If he has made it bitter; drink it in communion with him. -- Oswald Chambers

Some hearts, like evening primroses, open more beautifully in the shadows of life.

Affliction is the school of faith and trial is the school of trust.

The Lord gets his best soldiers out of the highlands of affliction. -- C H Spurgeon

Stars may be seen from the bottom of a deep well, when they cannot be discerned from the top of a mountain. So are many things learned in adversity which the prosperous man dreams not of. --C. H. Spurgeon

Nothing can render affliction so insupportable as the load of sin. Would you then be fitted for afflictions? Be sure to get the burden of your sins laid aside, and then what affliction soever you may meet with will be very easy to you. -- John Bunyan.

It takes the grindstone to sharpen the axe. -- Vance Havner

Tested (1381) (dokimazo  from dokimos = tested, proved or approved, tried as metals by fire and thus purified from dechomai = to accept, receive) means to assay, to test, to prove, to put to the test, to make a trial of, to verify, to discern to approve. Dokimazo involves not only testing but determining the genuineness or value of an event or object. That which has been tested is demonstrated to be genuine and trustworthy.

Dokimazo is used 22 in the NT (2x Lu;4x Ro;3x 1Cor;3x 2Cor;1x Gal;1x Eph;1x Phil;2x 1Thes;1x 1Ti;1x 1 Pet;1x 1Jn)

Luke 12:56 "You hypocrites! You know how to analyze the appearance of the earth and the sky, but why do you not analyze this present time?

Luke 14:19 "And another one said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please consider me excused.'

Romans 1:28 (note) And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, (Literally = And, according as they did not approve [dokimazo] of having God in knowledge, God gave them up to a disapproved mind, to do the things not seemly)
 

Romans 2:18 (note) and know His will, and approve the things that are essential, being instructed out of the Law,

Romans 12:2 (note) And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 14:22 (note) The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.

1 Corinthians 3:13 each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work.

1 Corinthians 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.

1 Corinthians 16:3 And when I arrive, whomever you may approve, I shall send them with letters to carry your gift to Jerusalem;

2 Corinthians 8:8 I am not speaking this as a command, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity of your love also.

2 Corinthians 8:22 And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have often tested and found diligent in many things, but now even more diligent, because of his great confidence in you.

2 Corinthians 13:5 Test (peirazo - present imperative) yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine (dokimazo - present imperative) yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you-- unless indeed you fail the test?

Galatians 6:4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another.

Ephesians 5:10 (note) trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.

Philippians 1:10 (note) so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ;

1 Thessalonians 2:4 (note) but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men but God, who examines our hearts.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 (note) But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good;

1 Timothy 3:10 And let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach.

1 Peter 1:7 (note) that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result