The concept of suffering is a significant theme throughout the Bible, reflecting the human experience of pain, hardship, and adversity. Suffering is often portrayed as a test of faith, a means of spiritual growth, and a way to participate in the sufferings of Christ. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings on how believers are to understand and respond to suffering.

Old Testament Understanding of Suffering

In the Old Testament, suffering is frequently seen as a consequence of sin or disobedience. The Book of Job is a profound exploration of the nature of suffering. Job, a righteous man, endures immense suffering not as a result of his own sin but as a test of his faith and integrity. Job's account illustrates that suffering can occur even to the righteous and that its reasons may be beyond human understanding. Job 1:21 states, "Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD."

The Psalms often express the anguish of suffering while simultaneously affirming trust in God. Psalm 34:19 declares, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him from them all." This verse highlights the belief that while the righteous may suffer, God is ultimately their deliverer.

Suffering in the New Testament

The New Testament presents suffering as an integral part of the Christian life, often associated with the believer's identification with Christ. Jesus Himself is described as the "Man of Sorrows" in Isaiah 53:3, and His life and crucifixion are the ultimate examples of redemptive suffering. In the Gospels, Jesus teaches that His followers will also face persecution and suffering. In John 16:33 , Jesus assures His disciples, "I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world."

The Apostle Paul frequently addresses the theme of suffering in his epistles. In Romans 8:17 , he writes, "And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him." Paul views suffering as a means of sharing in Christ's sufferings and as a precursor to future glory.

Purpose and Response to Suffering

The Bible suggests several purposes for suffering. It can serve as a means of discipline and refinement, as seen in Hebrews 12:6 : "For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives." Suffering can also produce perseverance, character, and hope, as Paul explains in Romans 5:3-4 : "Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."

Believers are encouraged to respond to suffering with faith and endurance. James 1:2-4 advises, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

The Role of the Church and Community

The Christian community is called to support those who suffer. Galatians 6:2 instructs, "Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." The church is to be a place of compassion, prayer, and practical assistance for those enduring hardship.

Eternal Perspective on Suffering

Ultimately, the Bible offers an eternal perspective on suffering. Revelation 21:4 provides a vision of hope: "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away." This promise assures believers that suffering is temporary and that eternal joy awaits those who remain faithful.4944. sunodino -- to be in travail together
... Word Origin from sun and odino Definition to be in travail together NASB Word Usage
suffers the pains of childbirth (2), together* (1). suffer together. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4944.htm - 6k

971. biazo -- to force
... positively). Word Origin from bia Definition to force NASB Word Usage forcing
his way (1), suffers violence (1). press, suffer violence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/971.htm - 6k

3958. pascho -- to suffer, to be acted on
... to penthos Definition to suffer, to be acted on NASB Word Usage endured (1),
endured...sufferings (1), suffer (22), suffered (10), suffering (4), suffers (2). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3958.htm - 9k

6001a. amel -- a laborer, sufferer
... 6001, 6001a. amel. 6001b . a laborer, sufferer. Transliteration: amel
Short Definition: suffers. Word Origin from amal Definition ...
/hebrew/6001a.htm - 5k

The Body Dies; the Soul Suffers no Decay.
... ORIGINAL HYMNS HYMN CCXXIII. The Body dies; the Soul suffers no Decay. 8.8.8.8
James Montgomery. The Body dies; the Soul suffers no Decay. ...
/.../montgomery/sacred poems and hymns/hymn ccxxiii the body dies.htm

Why God Suffers Objects of Idolatry to Subsist.
... Homily XI. Chapter VI."Why God Suffers Objects of Idolatry to Subsist.
"But some say, Unless He wished these things to be, they ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter vi why god suffers objects.htm

Symeon, Bishop of Jerusalem, Suffers Martyrdom.
... Book III. Chapter XXXII."Symeon, Bishop of Jerusalem, suffers Martyrdom.
1. It is reported that after the age of Nero and Domitian ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xxxii symeon bishop of jerusalem.htm

Whether God's Mercy Suffers at Least Men to be Punished Eternally?
... OF GOD'S MERCY AND JUSTICE TOWARDS THE DAMNED (FIVE ARTICLES) Whether God's
mercy suffers at least men to be punished eternally? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether gods mercy suffers at.htm

Topic ix. If any one Says that Christ Suffers Change or Alteration ...
... Topic IX. If any one says that Christ suffers change or alteration? If
any one says that Christ suffers change or alteration, and ...
/.../dubious or spurious writings of gregory thaumaturgus/topic ix if any one.htm

This ChapterShows How, when God Bestows Greater Favours on the ...
... THE SIXTH MANSIONS CHAPTER I. THIS CHAPTER SHOWS HOW, WHEN GOD BESTOWS GREATER
FAVOURS ON THE SOUL, IT SUFFERS MORE SEVERE AFFLICTIONS. ...
/.../teresa/the interior castle or the mansions/chapter i this chapter shows.htm

It is with no Loss or Disparagement Therefore of his Divine Nature ...
... 17. It is with no loss or disparagement therefore of His Divine nature that Christ
suffers in the flesh, but His Divine nature through the flesh descended into ...
/.../17 it is with no.htm

Being Made Archbishop of Armagh, He Suffers Many Troubles. Peace ...
... CHAPTER IV. Being made Archbishop of Armagh, he suffers many troubles. Peace being
made, from being Archbishop of Armagh he becomes Bishop of Down. ...
/.../chapter iv being made archbishop.htm

Justin the Philosopher Preaches the Word of Christ in Rome and ...
... Book IV. Chapter XVI."Justin the Philosopher preaches the Word of Christ
in Rome and suffers Martyrdom. 1. About this time [1168 ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xvi justin the philosopher preaches.htm

Whether Bodily Suffering Necessarily Terminates in the Destruction ...
... For though it be a question whether that which suffers can continue to live for
ever, yet it is certain that everything which suffers pain does live, and that ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 3 whether bodily suffering necessarily.htm

Suffers (17 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Suffers (17 Occurrences). Matthew 3:15 But Jesus ... fulfil
all righteousness. Then he suffers him. (DBY). Matthew 11 ...
/s/suffers.htm - 10k

Suffer (195 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS). Matthew 11:12 From the days of John the Baptizer until now, the Kingdom
of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. ...
/s/suffer.htm - 36k

Suffice (22 Occurrences)

/s/suffice.htm - 13k

Sufferings (27 Occurrences)

/s/sufferings.htm - 14k

Code (6 Occurrences)
... for the case in which lost goods are found in the hands of another: he who, in the
investigation, cannot prove his legitimate right, suffers death, just as a ...
/c/code.htm - 40k

Violence (98 Occurrences)
... Violence (98 Occurrences). Matthew 11:12 From the days of John the Baptizer until
now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. ...
/v/violence.htm - 38k

Violent (151 Occurrences)
... (BBE NAS NIV). Matthew 11:12 From the days of John the Baptizer until now, the Kingdom
of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. ...
/v/violent.htm - 36k

Often (74 Occurrences)
... Matthew 17:15 "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is epileptic, and suffers grievously;
for he often falls into the fire, and often into the water. ...
/o/often.htm - 29k

Oft (18 Occurrences)
... Matthew 17:15 "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is epileptic, and suffers grievously;
for he often falls into the fire, and often into the water. ...
/o/oft.htm - 11k

Low (216 Occurrences)
... Matthew 12:25 Knowing their thoughts He said to them, "Every kingdom in which civil
war has raged suffers desolation; and every city or house in which there is ...
/l/low.htm - 39k

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