‘Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial among you, which is coming on you to prove you, as though a strange thing happened to you, but in as much as you are partakers of Christ's sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory also you may rejoice with exceeding joy.'
The strength of Peter's feelings now comes out in his addressing them again as ‘beloved' (compare 1 Peter 2:11 where he had reached a similar peak). As he thinks of their self-giving, self-sacrificial lives lived out in Christ in the face of difficulties his warm heart goes out to them, especially as he returns to the theme with which he began the chapter, ‘Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves therefore with the same mind'. For he loves them fervently too. It is because those who have suffered in the flesh with Christ have ceased from sin that such a life as he has described can be possible as they live their lives out in the will of God (1 Peter 4:1-2).
Thus they are not to think it strange that they are outwardly having such a hard time. As we know from 1 Peter 1:7 this is part of his central message, for there also he spoke of the fiery trial that was to prove their faith. But such fiery trial is necessary if they are to be presented perfect before Him. It is this fiery testing that will help to rid them of all the dross that mars their lives, and will bring them fully into the obedience of Christ as ‘children of obedience' (1 Peter 1:14). It is when His judgments are in the world that people learn righteousness.
Unlike the Jews, ex-Gentiles would not be used to religious persecution. To them it was indeed ‘strange. For it arose specifically from their worship of God and of Christ as the only God exclusive of all others. The Gentiles did not mind others having a different religion, but when that religion began to claim uniqueness it was a different matter. Thus Christians specifically suffered for the Name of Christ (compare Matthew 5:11).
There is nothing in this language to necessitate more than local persecution of a kind revealed in Acts. The trial is ‘fiery' because it acts like a refining fire (1 Peter 1:7), not necessarily because actual fire is seen as at work, although the burning of people's houses has often been the reaction of the mob, even back to ancient times (Judges 15:6). But whatever happens they are to recognise that in suffering as Christians they are becoming partakers of Christ's sufferings, and are to rejoice. Then when His full glory is revealed their rejoicing will be beyond measure. We can compare here Matthew 5:10-12. ‘Rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in Heaven, for so persecuted they the prophets who were before you'.