Paul now continues to describe the process by which God shapes our lives. For ‘tribulation works steadfastness, and steadfastness brings us to a place of refined purity (approval after testing), and that refined purity (approval after testing) strengthens our hope', both hope for the future which will enable us to further please God (as with Abraham - Romans 4:18-22), and hope in eternity when we will enjoy and experience the gory of God.
‘Knowing that tribulation works steadfastness.' For to those whose hearts are set towards God tribulation bears its fruit. It produces patient endurance and steadfastness as, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we grit our teeth and move on to face that tribulation, indwelt by the Holy Spirit and with our hand in the hand of God. We have to remember in this regard that we are in a marathon and not in a sprint (Hebrews 12:1-3), sometimes having to struggle even in order to move on. Indeed at times every step may be painful. But we must remember at all times that at some stage we will pull through it, aided by His Spirit, and that beyond it we will experience a new feeling of strength and exhilaration in Christ, and a new awareness of the graciousness of God (whether in this world or the next). The same lesson is taught by James in James 1:2-4; James 1:12, and by Peter in 1 Peter 1:3-7. It was the common experience of the early church. At some stage it will be ours too.
‘And steadfastness produces refined purity (‘approval after testing'). The idea behind the latter words is that of something which has been refined in the fire and has come out purer and stronger, of something that has been put to the test and has not only endured, but has been ‘perfected', resulting in consequent approval. Steadfast endurance has its consequence in that it brings us to a state of refined purity. We gain a sense of approval after testing.
And this sense of refined purity or approval after testing produces continuing hope. For just as strenuous and painful exercise can improve our muscle tone, so steadfast endurance and its consequence in ‘coming out refined' (approved after testing), can strengthen our ‘hope', the hope of what is to come both in this world (compare Romans 4:18-19) and the next (Titus 2:13). Hope is the confident certainty that because all is in the hands of God, whatever happens the future is assured. Compare Abraham's hope in Romans 4:18-21, and see also Romans 8:29-39.