Suffering

πάθημα/SUF-er-ing/

“Suffering, experience, passion”

Summary

The experience of pain, hardship, or affliction that Scripture treats as integral to the Christian life, finding its meaning in Christ's redemptive suffering and His followers' participation in it.

☩Christ's Sufferings

The sufferings of Christ were not accidental but central to His divine mission. His incarnation itself—emptying Himself to become human—was the beginning of His suffering, not merely the crucifixion. Isaiah prophesied a Suffering Servant who would be despised, rejected, wounded for our transgressions, and crushed for our iniquities. The writer of Hebrews notes that Christ 'learned obedience through what He suffered,' being perfected as our High Priest through His experiences.

Key verses:Isaiah 53:3-5Hebrews 2:9-10Hebrews 5:8-9

☩Fellowship in Suffering

Paul counted everything loss to know Christ and 'the fellowship of His sufferings.' Believers are not only called to believe in Christ but also to suffer for His sake. Peter taught that suffering according to God's will is a grace given to Christians, for Christ also suffered, leaving an example to follow. This is not masochism but participation in Christ's redemptive work, making up what is lacking in His afflictions for the church.

Key verses:Philippians 3:10Philippians 1:291 Peter 2:21

☩Purpose and Profit

Scripture presents suffering as purposeful rather than meaningless. Tribulation produces perseverance, perseverance character, and character hope. The testing of faith produces steadfastness, leading to maturity and completeness. God disciplines those He loves, and though painful, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. Present sufferings are light and momentary compared to the eternal weight of glory being prepared.

Key verses:Romans 5:3-5James 1:2-42 Corinthians 4:17

☩Response to Suffering

The Christian response to suffering includes patient endurance, not retaliation. When reviled, believers should not revile in return; when suffering, they should not threaten but entrust themselves to God who judges justly. Suffering can be counted joy when understood as identifying believers with Christ and the prophets. The God of all comfort comforts believers in affliction so they can comfort others with the same comfort.

Key verses:1 Peter 2:23James 5:10-112 Corinthians 1:3-4

Related Verses193 mentions

1 Peter· 17 verses

1:11 2:19 2:20 2:21 2:23

Acts· 16 verses

2:27 3:18 5:41 7:24 9:16

Luke· 15 verses

4:41 8:32 8:51 9:22 9:41

Hebrews· 13 verses

2:9 2:10 2:14 2:18 5:8

References

1.James Hastings (ed.), "Suffering," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
2.James Orr (ed.), "Suffering," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
3.Philip Schaff and Johann Herzog (ed.), "Suffering," in The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, vol. XI (Funk and Wagnalls, 1908–1914).