1 Peter 1:6-7 Translation Issues

- in which you rejoice, (even) if now for a little while, you have had to suffer many trials. So that the evidence of your faith, (which is) more precious than gold, which perishes though proven by fire, may lead to praise, glory and honor when Christ is revealed.

Comments

• This passage begins in the middle of a longer sentence 1:3-12, the phrase in which beginning v 6 refers back to something at the end of verse 5. Major translations make smaller sentences by changing which to this. 
  

  1. It must be either masculine or neuter, therefore it cannot refer to κληρονομιαν (inheritance) or σωτηριαν (salvation) because they are both feminine nouns.
  2. If it refers to καιρω εσχατω (The Last Day). It refers to the Christian's ultimate hope for the reign of God which will bring true justice. 
  3. If it refers to ο θεος, it refers back to the one who is the source of that hope. 
  4. While both would be appropriate, both cannot be correct. How much it matters is debatable. In my view καιρω εσχατω has the advantage of being closer to εν ω, and would express the sentiment of those go well with the suffering bit which concludes the verse.

• V. 6 can also be translated in the imperative – as a command."-in which, REJOICE !"
• The word dokimion which is translated testing is actually a noun.  It often used to describe the process for the purification or testing of metals. This is why some have translated it genuineness.  I think it would be better to say the proof of your faith, or the evidence of your faith. This proof, for Peter, is synonymous with faith itself. It is this evidence (proven faith) which is more precious than gold. (Hence the imperative I think.).

Evidence of your faith    dokimion  noun	Trials
Gold proven by fire        dokimazo  verb participle	Fire