Believers ought to expect to suffer as an inevitable part of their calling. To believe is not to evade suffering; it is to face it with new confidence and hope. Rightly approached, suffering develops the character of believers, equips them for more effective service, draws believers closer to Jesus Christ and prepares them for eternal life.
Believers must expect suffering
Jesus Christ foretold it
Matthew 10:22 parallel Mark 13:13 See also Matthew 10:17, Matthew 23:34, Matthew 24:9; Luke 21:16–17
You will be hated by everyone because of My name, but the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.
The apostles foretold it
Acts 14:22; 2 Timothy 3:12 See also Philippians 1:29; 1 John 3:13; Revelation 2:10
strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. “We must endure many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.
Indeed, all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
The experience of the OT shows it
Romans 8:36; Hebrews 11:25–26, Hebrews 11:32–38
The experience of the NT shows it
Acts 4:3, Acts 5:40, Acts 9:29, Acts 12:1–3; 2 Corinthians 11:23–29; Galatians 3:4; 1 Thessalonians 2:2, 1 Thessalonians 2:14; 1 Peter 4:4; Hebrews 10:32–34
Suffering for Jesus Christ is commendable
Matthew 5:10–12 parallel Luke 6:20–23 See also Acts 5:41; 2 Timothy 1:8; 1 Peter 2:19, 1 Peter 3:17, 1 Peter 4:12–16
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.
Suffering is profitable
It affirms believers' adoption
Hebrews 12:7 See also John 15:19, John 17:14; Romans 8:17; Galatians 6:17; 2 Thessalonians 1:4–5
Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?
It is the price of godliness
Hebrews 12:11 See also Psalm 119:67, Psalm 119:71; Isaiah 38:17; John 15:2; 1 Peter 1:6–7
No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it.
It is a condition of service
2 Corinthians 4:10; Colossians 1:24 See also Psalm 126:5–6; Acts 9:16, Acts 20:23–24; 1 Corinthians 4:9–13; 2 Corinthians 1:3–5; Galatians 4:19; Philippians 3:18; Colossians 2:1; 2 Timothy 1:11–12, 2 Timothy 2:3, 2 Timothy 2:10
We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions for the sake of His body, which is the church.
It develops trust
2 Corinthians 1:9 See also 1 Peter 4:19
Indeed, we felt we were under the sentence of death, in order that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God, who raises the dead.
It develops character
Romans 5:3–4 See also Hebrews 5:8; James 1:3
Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.
It deepens fellowship
1 Corinthians 12:26 See also Romans 12:15; 2 Corinthians 1:7, 2 Corinthians 8:2; Galatians 4:14–15, Galatians 6:2
If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
It draws believers to the Lord
Philippians 3:8, Philippians 3:10 See also Job 42:5; 2 Corinthians 4:8–10, 2 Corinthians 12:9–10; 1 Peter 4:13
More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ
I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Him in His death,
It prepares believers for heaven
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.