WHAT IS GOD’S PURPOSE IN ALLOWING CHRISTIANS TO SUFFER?

Greek: Affliction is thlipis=pressure; kakopatheia=suffering evil

               Burden is baros=weight; phortion=load to be borne

               Suffering is stego=to endure, to cause loss, dishonor

              Temptation is peirasmos=trial, proving

   Trials isdokimos=tested; purosis=a burning, trial by fire; peira=a piercing through

               Tribulaton is thlipsis=pressure, distress, to be pressed, squeezed

               Trouble is tarthlipsis=trembling, agitation, disturbance

  1. John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that ye might have peace.  In the world, you have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
  2. Romans 5:3-5 “We glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”
  3. Romans 8:18 “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
  4. I Corinthians 10:13 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
  5. II Corinthians 12:9-10 “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.  Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
  6. Hebrews 5:8 “Though Jesus were a Son, ye learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.”
  7. James 1:2-4 “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall  into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 
  8. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
  9. I Peter 1:7 “The trial of your faith, being much precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor, and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:”
  10. I Peter 2:21 “For even hereunto were ye called : because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow in his steps.”
  11. I Peter 4:12-14 “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange things happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.  If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you:”
  12. I Peter 5:10 “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”
  13. II Peter 1:5-9  “Giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness love.  For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

© Copyright 2004 New Testament Church