Fiery ordeal (4451) (purosis from puroo = to burn or púr = fire) means literally ignition, smelting (conflagration), burning. It pictures the act or condition of being on fire and figuratively as used here by Peter refers to fiery trial, calamity, suffering. There are only 2 other uses of purosis in the NT, both in Revelation 18 and both refer to literal burning of the literal re-built city of Babylon... Revelation 18:9 (note) "And the kings of the earth, who committed acts of immorality and lived sensuously with her, will weep and lament over her when they see the smoke of her burning, Revelation 18:18 (note) and were crying out as they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, 'What city is like the great city?' There are 2 uses of purosis in the non-apocryphal Septuagint (LXX) , one in Amos 4:9 (where purosis translates "scorching wind") and the second in Pr 27:21, which clearly refers to the process of refining. The crucible (Lxx = dokimion = act of testing - see related word below dokimazo) is for silver and the furnace (Lxx = purosis referring to a smelting furnace where gold is refined) for gold, and a man is tested (Lxx = dokimazo) by the praise accorded him (Proverbs 27:21-see comments by Charles Bridges) Comment by Charles Bridges: Fearful often is the trial to a minister of Christ. When he becomes the object of popular applause, his people’s idol, when men of strong impulse and weak judgment put the servant in the Master’s place, then he is in the furnace. “We should feel,” said the venerable Mr. Simeon in his own way, “as if our ears were stung with blasphemy when we discover any attempt to transfer the crown of glory from the head of the Redeemer to that of any of his servants.” Henry Martyn continually expresses his sensitive conscience on this besetting temptation. Dr. Payson, a careful self-observer, mentions among his trials, “well-meant, but injudicious, commendations!” When praised, “God, humble me” was the prayer of one marvelously preserved in the fearful furnace. The cognate verb puroo was used by Jesus speaking to the "lukewarm" church at Laodicea... I advise you to buy from Me gold refined (puroo) by fire (pur) , that you may become rich, and white garments, that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see. (Rev 3:18-note) The verb puroo was also used in the Septuagint to describe the process of purifying or refining fire as clearly shown in Ps 66:10 For Thou hast tried (Lxx = dokimazo) us, O God. Thou hast refined (puroo) us as silver is refined (puroo). (Psalm 66:10) Comment: Puroo literally means “a burning,” and is used in this psalm to refer to a smelting furnace and the smelting process in which gold or silver ore is purified. The first use of puroo is figurative and refers to trials ("fiery trials" just like Peter warns us about) that come upon us to remove those aspects of our character which are not Christ-like. Then the psalmist gives a simile (a comparison to help us understand the purpose of a fiery trial or fiery refining), this second use of puroo describing a literal fiery refining process. In the ancient world the silversmith would heat the silver ore in a clay crucible and would control the temperature of the fire with bellows, making sure to never leave the fire unattended. As the ore heated up, impurities would rise to the surface to be skimmed off by the silversmith. This process was repeated until all impurities were removed, an endpoint he would determine had arrived when he could see his image reflected from the silver on the surface. Warren Wiersbe speaks of God's refining process in the furnace of afflictions noting that "God has never promised that we would miss the storm, But He has promised that we would make the harbor. 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." (Wiersbe, W: Bible Exposition Commentary. 1989. Victor) And so God like the ancient silversmith prepares the crucible of affliction for His children, but He controls the intensity of the fiery trial, for He alone knows just how much "heat" is necessary to cause the "impurities" in our life to rise to the surface. And just like the ancient silversmith, God never leaves us in the refining fire, but continually keeps His eye on us. And finally just like the silversmith, God's goal is that He might see His face (so to speak) in us, and specifically we might reflect the image of His Son. Spurgeon comments on Ps 66:10, specifically that on trials allowed by God: God proved (tried) Israel with sore trials. David had his temptations. God had one Son without sin, but he never had a son without trial. Why ought we to complain if we are subjected to the rule which is common to all the family, and from which so much benefit has flowed to them? The Lord Himself tests us. Who then will question the wisdom and the love which are displayed in the operation? The day may come when, as in this case (of the psalmist), we shall make hymns out of our griefs, and sing all the more sweetly because our mouths have been purified with bitter draughts. Thou hast refined (puroo) us - Searching and repeated, severe and thorough, has been the test; the same result has followed as in the case of precious metal, for the dross and tin have been consumed, and the pure ore has been discovered. Since trial is sanctified to so desirable an end, ought we not to submit to it with abounding resignation? As silver is refined (puroo). Convinced from the frequent use of this illustration, that there was something more than usually instructive in the process of assaying and purifying silver, I have collected some few facts upon the subject. The hackneyed story of the refiner seeing his image in the molten silver while in the fire, has so charmed most of us, that we have not looked further; yet, with more careful study, much could be brought out. To assay silver requires great personal care in the operator. "The principle of assaying gold and silver is very simple theoretically, but in practice great experience is necessary to insure accuracy; and there is no branch of business which demands more personal and undivided attention. The result is liable to the influence of so many contingencies, that no assayer who regards his reputation will delegate the principal process to one not equally skilled with himself. Besides the result ascertainable by weight, there are allowances and compensations to be made, which are known only to an experienced assayer, and if these were disregarded, as might be the case with the mere novice, the report would be wide from the truth." (Encyclopaedia Britannica.) Pagnini's version reads: "Thou hast melted us by blowing upon us," and in the monuments of Egypt, artificers are seen with the blowpipe operating with small fire places, with cheeks to confine and reflect the heat; the worker evidently paying personal attention, which is evident also in Malachi 3:3, "He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." To assay silver requires a skilfully constructed furnace. The description of this furnace would only weary the reader, but it is evidently a work of art in itself. Even the trial of our faith is much more precious than that of gold which perisheth. He has refined us, but not with silver, he would not trust us there, the furnace of affliction is far more skilfully arranged than that. To assay silver the heat must be nicely regulated. "During the operation, the assayer's attention should be directed to the heat of the furnace, which must be neither too hot nor too cold: if too hot, minute portions of silver will be carried off with the lead, and so vitiate the assay; moreover, the pores of the cupel being more open, greater absorption will ensue, and there is liability to loss from that cause. One indication of an excess of heat in the furnace, is the rapid and perpendicular rising of the fumes to the ceiling of the muffle, the mode of checking and controlling which has been pointed out in the description of the improved furnace. When the fumes are observed to fall to the bottom of the muffle, the furnace is then too cold; and if left unaltered, it will be found that the cupellation has been imperfectly performed, and the silver will not have entirely freed itself from the base metals. (Encyclopaedia Britannica.) The assayer repeats his trying process. Usually two or more trials of the same piece are made, so that great accuracy may be secured. Seven times silver is said to be purified, and the saints through varied trials reach the promised rest." C. H. S. The design of the afflictions. To prove them. To reprove them. The illustration of that design. As silver, etc. The issue of the trial. ><> ><> ><> He Died Singing in a literal "fiery trial" - John Huss, the Bohemian reformer, was burned at the stake in 1415. Before his accusers lit the fire, they placed on his head a crown of paper with painted devils on it. He answered this mockery by saying, “My Lord, Jesus Christ, for my sake, wore a crown of thorns; why should not I then, for His sake, wear this light crown, be it ever so ignominious? Truly I will do it willingly.” After the wood was stacked up to Huss’ neck, the Duke of Bavaria asked him to renounce his preaching. Trusting completely in God’s Word, Huss replied, “In the truth of the gospel which I preached, I die willingly and joyfully today.” The wood was ignited, and Huss died while singing, “Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, have mercy on me.” ><> ><> ><> THAT COMES UPON YOU FOR YOUR TESTING: pros peirasmon humin ginomene (PMPFSD): Comes (ginomai) means to come into existence and here in the present tense pictures these trials as continually coming into existence. Your testing - God often brings circumstances into our lives to test us. Like Job we usually do not recognize them as tests sent or allowed by God. But our response to them proves our faithfulness or unfaithfulness. How we react to financial difficulty, school problems, health trouble, or business setbacks will always test our faith and ultimately our reliance on our heavenly Father. If we do not turn to the Sovereign God, testing situations can make us bitter, resentful or angry. Rather than thanking God for the test, as James advises (Jas 1:2), we may even accuse Him. An opportunity to cheat on our income tax or take unfair advantage in a business deal will either prove our righteousness or our weakness. The circumstance or the opportunity is only a test, neither good nor evil in itself. Whether it results in good or evil, spiritual growth or spiritual decline, depends on our response.