Original Word: πυρόω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: puroó
Pronunciation: poo-ro'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (poo-ro'-o)
KJV: burn, fiery, be on fire, try
NASB: burn, burning, flaming, intense concern, made to glow, refined
Word Origin: [from G4442 (πῦρ - fire)]

1. to kindle
2. (passively) to be ignited, glow
3. (literally) be refined
4. (by implication or figuratively) to be inflamed (with anger, grief, lust)

burn, be on fire, try.

From pur; to kindle, i.e. (passively) to be ignited, glow (literally), be refined (by implication), or (figuratively) to be inflamed (with anger, grief, lust) -- burn, fiery, be on fire, try.

see GREEK pur

Word Origin
from pur
Definition
to set on fire, i.e. to burn (pass.)
NASB Translation
burn (1), burning (1), flaming (1), intense concern (1), made to glow (1), refined (1).

STRONGS NT 4448: πυρόω

πυρόω: passive, present πυροῦμαι; perfect participle πεπυρωμένος; (πῦρ); from Aeschylus and Pindar down; to burn with fire, to set on fire, to kindle; in the N. T. it is used only in the passive:

a. to be on fire, to burn: properly, 2 Peter 3:12; tropically, of the heat of the passions: of grief, 2 Corinthians 11:29 (English Versions burn (often understood of indignation, but cf. Meyer); Winer's Grammar, 153 (145)); of anger, with τοῖς θυμοῖς added, equivalent to to be incensed, indignant, 2 Macc. 4:38 2Macc. 10:35 2Macc. 14:45; to be inflamed with sexual desire, 1 Corinthians 7:9.

b. perfect participle πεπυρωμένος, made to glow (R. V. refined): Revelation 1:15 ((cf. Buttmann, 80 (69) n.)); full of fire; fiery, ignited: τά βέλη ... τά πεπυρωμένα darts filled with inflammable substances and set on fire, Ephesians 6:16 (Apollod. Bib. 2, 5, 2 § 3); melted by fire and purged of dross: χρυσίον πεπυρωμένον ἐκ πυρός, (refined by fire), Revelation 3:18 (so πυρόω in the Sept. for צָרַף; as τό ἀγρυριον, Job 22:25; Zechariah 13:9; Psalm 11:7 (); ()).

Imagery of consuming fire in Scripture

Fire consistently symbolizes God’s holy presence—both comforting and terrifying—throughout the canon (Exodus 3:2; Hebrews 12:29). Strong’s Greek 4448 evokes this motif by describing what is set ablaze, refined, or internally ignited. Whether literal or metaphorical, the verb portrays intensity that tests or transforms.

Occurrences and contextual nuances

• Ephesians 6:16 speaks of “flaming arrows of the evil one”. The participle marks each arrow as already ablaze, stressing the urgency of faith’s shield to quench spiritual assaults.
• 1 Corinthians 7:9 applies the middle infinitive to unmarried believers who “burn with passion,” urging marriage as God’s remedy for uncontrolled desire. The same vocabulary that depicts external fire here exposes inward heat.
• 2 Corinthians 11:29 extends the image to pastoral empathy: “Who is led into sin, and I do not burn with grief?” Paul’s spirit ignites with righteous concern whenever a believer stumbles.
• 2 Peter 3:12 forecasts a cosmic conflagration when “the elements will melt in the heat of the fire.” The participle signals an ongoing process: creation already headed toward purification, not annihilation.
• Revelation 1:15 presents the exalted Christ whose “feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace.” The perfect participle underscores a completed yet abiding refinement in the Lord’s glorified humanity.
• Revelation 3:18 offers Laodicea “gold refined by fire,” inviting believers to submit to divine testing that produces genuine riches.

Christological portrait

In Revelation, the term magnifies Jesus Christ. His feet, perpetually gleaming from furnace­-refinement, proclaim victory over judgment; His counsel to buy “gold refined by fire” identifies Him as both Refiner and Treasure. The same fire that judges an unbelieving world perfects the faithful, demonstrating continuity between His priestly ministry now and His royal judgment to come.

Pastoral admonition and personal passion

Paul’s dual usage (1 Corinthians 7:9; 2 Corinthians 11:29) shows the verb’s range from physical desire to spiritual anguish. Holy affections should blaze for purity, not lust; for disciples’ welfare, not self-interest. Ministers draw from Paul’s example, allowing godly fire to energize intercession and moral vigilance.

Eschatological judgment and cosmic renewal

Peter’s description of heavens and elements “burning” (2 Peter 3:12) links to Old Testament prophetic fire (Isaiah 66:15-16). The conflagration purges corruption, preparing “new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13). The verb therefore points beyond destruction to restoration, assuring believers that God’s purposes stand unthreatened by the fires He ordains.

Spiritual warfare and protection

Ephesians 6:16 integrates flaming missiles into the armor passage. Satan’s attacks are incendiary—aimed at spreading internal combustion of doubt, lust, anger, or fear. Faith, anchored in the promises of God, extinguishes what the Enemy ignites, proving Scripture’s sufficiency for every assault.

Refining discipline and sanctification

Revelation 3:18 applies the metaphor pastorally: believers must welcome refining pressure that burns away dross. Trials, persecutions, and Spirit-convicted repentance are the furnace where faith is purified (James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 1:6-7). Gold emerging from the crucible illustrates a tested character that reflects Christ’s glory.

Implications for ministry today

1. Preaching: Declare both comforting and convicting aspects of divine fire—grace that warms, holiness that consumes sin.
2. Discipleship: Encourage believers to channel legitimate passions through God-ordained means (marriage, service, worship) rather than suppress or misdirect them.
3. Counseling: Model Paul’s burning concern; shepherds should feel internal heat when others stray, prompting restorative action.
4. Eschatology: Teach that coming judgment refines as well as destroys, fostering hope rather than panic.
5. Spiritual warfare: Train congregations to raise the shield of faith daily, trusting that Scripture quenches every flaming dart.

Thus Strong’s 4448 gathers diverse strands—temptation, empathy, judgment, refinement—into one coherent flame that reveals God’s holy, transformative work from personal sanctification to cosmic renewal.

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