Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5200 Human civilisation  »  5560 suffering  »  5565 suffering, of believers

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 pp Mark 13:13 See also Matthew 10:17; Matthew 23:34; Matthew 24:9; Luke 21:16-17

The apostles foretold it

Acts 14:22; 2 Timothy 3:12 See also Philippians 1:29; 1 John 3:13; Revelation 2:10

The experience of the OT shows it

Romans 8:36; Hebrews 11:25-26,32-38

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 2:2,14; 1 Peter 4:4; Hebrews 10:32-34

Suffering for Jesus Christ is commendable

Matthew 5:10-12 pp Luke 6:20-23 See also Acts 5:41; 2 Timothy 1:8; 1 Peter 2:19; Peter 3:17; Peter 4:12-16

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

It is the price of godliness

Hebrews 12:11 See also Psalm 119:67,71; Isaiah 38:17; John 15:2; 1 Peter 1:6-7

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; Timothy 2:3,10

It develops trust

2 Corinthians 1:9 See also 1 Peter 4:19

It develops character

Romans 5:3-4 See also Hebrews 5:8; James 1:3

It deepens fellowship

1 Corinthians 12:26 See also Romans 12:15; 2 Corinthians 1:7; Corinthians 8:2; Galatians 4:14-15; Galatians 6:2

It draws believers to the Lord

Philippians 3:8,10 See also Job 42:5; 2 Corinthians 4:8-10; Corinthians 12:9-10; 1 Peter 4:13

It prepares believers for heaven

2 Corinthians 4:16-5:4

See also

1040  God, fatherhood
6608  adoption
8206  Christlikeness
8266  holiness
8342  servanthood
8347  spiritual growth
8450  martyrdom
8794  persecution
8832  testing