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 Mt 10:22 pp Mk 13:13 See also Mt 10:17; Mt 23:34; Mt 24:9; Lk 21:16-17

The apostles foretold it Ac 14:22; 2Ti 3:12 See also Php 1:29; 1Jn 3:13; Rev 2:10

The experience of the OT shows it Ro 8:36; Heb 11:25-26,32-38

The experience of the NT shows it Ac 4:3; Ac 5:40; Ac 9:29; Ac 12:1-3; 2Co 11:23-29; Gal 3:4; 1Th 2:2,14; 1Pe 4:4; Heb 10:32-34

Suffering for Jesus Christ is commendable

Mt 5:10-12 pp Lk 6:20-23 See also Ac 5:41; 2Ti 1:8; 1Pe 2:19; 1Pe 3:17; 1Pe 4:12-16

Suffering is profitable

It affirms believers’adoption Heb 12:7 See also Jn 15:19; Jn 17:14; Ro 8:17; Gal 6:17; 2Th 1:4-5

It is the price of godliness Heb 12:11 See also Ps 119:67,71; Isa 38:17; Jn 15:2; 1Pe 1:6-7

It is a condition of service 2Co 4:10; Col 1:24 See also Ps 126:5-6; Ac 9:16; Ac 20:23-24; 1Co 4:9-13; 2Co 1:3-5; Gal 4:19; Php 3:18; Col 2:1; 2Ti 1:11-12; 2Ti 2:3,10

It develops trust 2Co 1:9 See also 1Pe 4:19

It develops character Ro 5:3-4 See also Heb 5:8; Jas 1:3

It deepens fellowship 1Co 12:26 See also Ro 12:15; 2Co 1:7; 2Co 8:2; Gal 4:14-15; Gal 6:2

It draws believers to the Lord Php 3:8,10 See also Job 42:5; 2Co 4:8-10; 2Co 12:9-10; 1Pe 4:13

It prepares believers for heaven 2Co 4:16-5:4

See also