Dictionary of Bible Themes: 5568 suffering, causes of

5568 suffering, causes of

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5200 Human civilisation » 5560 suffering » 5568 suffering, causes of

The ultimate cause of suffering is sin, which has brought violence, disease and death into the world. All suffering, however, is under the sovereign purpose of God, who is able to use it for his glory.

The ultimate cause of suffering is sin

Genesis 3:14-19

It need not be the result of particular sins:

Job 1:1; John 9:1-3 Job 5:6-7; Romans 5:12-14

Suffering as a result of human wickedness

Murder

Genesis 4:8 See also Genesis 49:5-7; 1 Samuel 18:10-11

Injury

Matthew 26:67

Cruelty

Rioting

2 Kings 7:17; Acts 16:22

Warfare

Jeremiah 50:22 See also Genesis 14:1-2,11-12; Exodus 13:17; Joshua 6:20-21; Joshua 10:22-26; Judges 1:4-7; 1 Kings 22:35; 2 Kings 17:5-6; Zechariah 14:2; Luke 21:20-24; Revelation 6:4

Injustice

Ezekiel 9:9 See also Genesis 39:19-20; 1 Kings 21:11-14; 2 Kings 21:16; Psalm 58:1-2; Psalm 64:6

Oppression

Ecclesiastes 4:1 See also Exodus 1:11; 1 Kings 12:1-4,12-14; Psalm 12:5; James 5:1-6

Adultery

2 Samuel 12:9; Malachi 2:14

Theft

Matthew 6:19 See also Genesis 31:19; Job 1:14-15,17; Job 24:2

Broken relationships

Job 19:14-19; Psalm 27:10; Proverbs 16:28; Acts 15:39

Hatred

Psalm 109:3 See also 2 Samuel 13:15; Titus 3:3

Jealousy

Genesis 37:4 See also Genesis 4:4-5; Genesis 16:6; Genesis 21:8-10; 1 Samuel 18:8-9; Matthew 27:18

Persecution

Suffering as a result of misfortune

Accidents

2 Samuel 4:4; 2 Kings 1:2; Luke 13:4

Sickness

Genesis 48:1 See also 2 Kings 20:1; Job 2:7; Psalm 42:10; Matthew 8:6; Acts 28:8; Philippians 2:27; 2 Timothy 4:20; James 5:14

Hunger and want

Genesis 12:10; Job 30:3; Isaiah 5:13; Matthew 25:42-43

Natural disasters

1 Kings 22:48; Job 1:16,18-19; Isaiah 29:6; Joel 1:4; Zechariah 14:5; Matthew 24:7; Acts 27:18-20

Suffering through old age and death

Ageing

2 Samuel 19:34-35; Psalm 71:9; Ecclesiastes 12:1

Bereavement

Genesis 23:1-2; Job 1:18-19; Luke 7:11-13; John 11:33-35; James 1:27

Suffering through anxiety

Proverbs 12:25 See also Deuteronomy 28:65-67; Luke 21:26

Suffering through foolishness

Psalm 107:17 See also Judges 11:34-36; Proverbs 10:1; Proverbs 11:15; Proverbs 14:1; Proverbs 23:29-30; Luke 15:17

Suffering through Satanic activity

The influence of Satan

Genesis 3:1 See also Job 1:12; Job 2:6-7; Luke 13:16; 1 John 5:19; Revelation 2:10; Revelation 20:7-8

Demon-possession

Matthew 8:28; Matthew 12:22; Matthew 15:22

Suffering brought about by God himself

All suffering comes within his will

John 9:3; Ephesians 1:11

Some suffering is for his immediate glory

John 21:19

Jesus Christ's suffering produces salvation

Isaiah 53:10 See also Acts 2:23

Christian suffering produces good fruits

Romans 5:3-4; 2 Corinthians 1:9; Hebrews 12:11; James 1:2,3

God's people must be disciplined

Hebrews 12:7 See also Exodus 32:35; 2 Samuel 12:13-14; Psalm 119:67,71; Proverbs 3:11-12; Hebrews 12:8-11

The wicked must be punished

Romans 6:23 See also Genesis 6:5-7; John 5:14; 2 Thessalonians 1:8; Revelation 9:4; Revelation 20:15

Suffering accepted voluntarily

By Jesus Christ

1 Peter 2:21 See also Isaiah 53:3-5,10; Luke 9:22

By his people

2 Corinthians 12:15 See also 2 Corinthians 4:10-12; Philippians 3:10; Hebrews 11:35

For the good of others

John 15:13 See also Romans 5:7; Phm 18