Christian Suffering

The theology of suffering seems to be quite underdeveloped in the Charismatic church generally. There is a much greater emphasis on God’s blessings and the possibility of freedom from suffering. Yet the Bible speaks a great deal both about the certainty of suffering and the benefits of suffering. The verses below outline the New Testament’s strong emphasis on Christian suffering.

Key Texts

Jesus is our example of suffering.

1Pe 2:21 NKJV For to this (suffering) you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

God is glorified in our weakness and suffering

God is glorified in suffering that results in the Christian trusting the Lord for new strength. God’s power is revealed clearly when we are ‘in weakness’ such as ‘infirmities and needs’. When God’s power is revealed in us He is glorified through us. That is the ultimate aim of every true believer – that God be glorified in him.

2Co 12:9-10 NKJV And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Suffering is an essential part of the Christian experience (we are called to suffer)

Act 14:22 NKJV strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”

Rom 8:16-18 NKJV The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

1Th 3:2-3 NKJV and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, 3 that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.

2Ti 3:12 NKJV Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

1Pe 2:20-21 NKJV For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

Why suffering is useful

Suffering produces perseverance

Rom 5:3 NKJV And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;

Suffering is evidence that we will be saved

2Th 1:4-5 NKJV so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, 5 which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer;

Suffering produces patience

Jas 1:2-3 NKJV My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

We are commended by God for enduring suffering

1Pe 2:20-21 NKJV For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

Suffering confirms we are heirs with Christ

Rom 8:16-18 NKJV The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

Those who endure suffering are blessed

Jas 5:10-11 NKJV My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. 11 Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.

Difficult trials allows us to participate in Christ’s sufferings

1Pe 4:12-13 NKJV Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

Suffering gives us opportunity to boast in God

2Co 11:30 NKJV If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity.

2Co 12:9 NKJV And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Suffering can teach people not to blaspheme

1Ti 1:20 NKJV of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.

Suffering prepares us to reign with Jesus

2Ti 2:12 KJVA If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

Rejoicing in suffering

Luk 6:22-23 NKJV Blessed are you when men hate you, And when they exclude you, And revile you, and cast out your name as evil, For the Son of Man’s sake. 23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, For in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.

Act 5:41 NKJV So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.

Rom 5:3 NKJV And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;

2Co 8:1-2 NKJV Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality.

2Co 12:9-10 NKJV And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Php 2:17-18 NKJV Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.

Col 1:24 NKJV I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church,

1Th 1:6 NKJV And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,

Heb 10:34 NKJV for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven.

Jas 1:2-4 NKJV My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Jas 5:10-11 NKJV My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. 11 Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.

1Pe 4:12-13 NKJV Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

Examples of NT Suffering

2Co 11:23-30 NKJV Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. 24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— 28 besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation? 30 If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity.

2Th 1:3-5 NKJV We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, 4 so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, 5 which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer;

Heb 10:32-35 NKJV But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: 33 partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; 34 for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. 35 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.

Related Verses

Heb 10:36 NKJV For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:

Quotes

“Suffering is an essential part of the Christian life. You will suffer. You must suffer. My hope is that [we will] be prepared to suffer for the glory of Christ.” – John Piper

But pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world. – C.S. Lewis

The breaking of the alabaster box and the anointing of the Lord filled the house with the odor, with the sweetest odor. Everyone could smell it. Whenever you meet someone who has really suffered; been limited, gone through things for the Lord, willing to be imprisoned by the Lord, just being satisfied with Him and nothing else, immediately you scent the fragrance. There is a savor of the Lord. Something has been crushed, something has been broken, and there is a resulting odor of sweetness. – Watchman Nee

God had one Son on earth without sin, but never one without suffering. – Augustine

We all know people who have been made much meaner and more irritable and more intolerable to live with by suffering: it is not right to say that all suffering perfects. It only perfects one type of person …… the one who accepts the call of God in Christ Jesus. – Oswald Chambers

You may never know that JESUS is all you need, until JESUS is all you have. – Corrie Ten Boom

As cold as everything looks in winter, the sun has not forsaken us. He has only drawn away for a little, for good reasons, one of which is that we may learn that we cannot do without him. —George MacDonald

Jesus didn’t save you so you could cruise to heaven in a luxury liner. He wants you to be useful in His kingdom! The moment you got saved, He enrolled you in His school – the school of suffering and affliction. – David Wilkerson

Helpful links

“Treasuring Christ and the Call to Suffer”. Short notes and audio sermons available