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God's Goodness in the Midst of Evil and Suffering

The goodness of God is a fundamental attribute of His character, exercised towards His creatures according to their various circumstances and relations [5]. This goodness is understood in several ways: as benevolence generally, as mercy and compassion when addressing the miseries of His creatures, and as long-suffering patience in the case of impenitent sinners. When God communicates favor to the unworthy, it is called grace [5]. The Bible consistently portrays God's goodness, even in the face of evil and suffering, though the precise nature of this goodness and its interaction with human experience is a complex theological topic.

One aspect of God's goodness is His long-suffering, which is explicitly stated as part of His character in Exodus 34:6, Numbers 14:18, and Psalm 86:15 [7]. This long-suffering is intended to lead people to repentance, as seen in Romans 2:4 and 2 Peter 3:9, and is an encouragement to turn back to God (Joel 2:13) [7]. It is also exhibited in His forgiveness of sins (Romans 3:25) and is exercised towards both His people (Isaiah 30:18) and the wicked (Romans 9:22) [7]. However, there are limits to God's long-suffering, as indicated in Genesis 6:3 and Jeremiah 44:22 [7]. Those who abuse or despise God's patience will face punishment (Nehemiah 9:30; Matthew 24:48-51; Romans 2:5) [7].

The presence of evil and suffering in the world raises questions about God's goodness. The Bible acknowledges that suffering is a reality for humanity. Sickness, for instance, is sometimes sent by God (Deuteronomy 28:59-61), though the devil is also permitted to inflict it (Job 2:6-7) [9]. Suffering can be a consequence of sin (Leviticus 26:14-16) or a judgment on a guilty land (Ezekiel 14:19-21) [9]. Yet, even in sickness, God promises to heal (Exodus 23:25) and exhibits His mercy, power, and love in doing so (Philippians 2:27; Luke 5:17; Isaiah 38:17) [9].

Christians are instructed to expect trials and hostility, especially when seeking to live godly lives (John 16:33; Acts 14:22; Romans 8:17; Philippians 1:29) [11]. The Apostle Peter encourages believers not to be surprised by these fiery trials [11]. In 1 Peter, it is considered commendable if someone endures pain while suffering unjustly because of their conscience toward God [1, 4]. This endurance, when suffering for doing good, is seen as a grace from God [3]. The righteous character of God provides encouragement and strength amidst suffering, with the psalmist expressing faith in God's ability to transform misery into abundant life (Psalm 71:19-21) [15].

The concept of God's goodness is often juxtaposed with His severity. Romans 11:22 states, "See then the goodness and severity of God. Toward those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in his goodness; otherwise you also will be cut off" [2]. This verse highlights that God's goodness is conditional upon continuing in it, implying that those who do not will experience His severity. God's anger is not an arbitrary emotional outburst but a necessary response to sin, as depicted in the Old Testament (Exodus 32:10-12; Numbers 11:1; Jeremiah 21:3-7) and predicted as a decisive outpouring of wrath on human sin [13]. Evil people are said to suffer the consequences of their own actions, and God ensures that sinners receive proper punishment (Proverbs 1:31) [14].

Despite the presence of suffering, God is portrayed as being with the afflicted (Psalm 46:5,7; Isaiah 43:2) and a refuge and strength to them (Psalm 27:5,6; Isaiah 25:4) [6]. He comforts (Isaiah 49:13), preserves (Psalm 34:20), and delivers them (Psalm 34:4,19) [6]. Christ is also depicted as being with the afflicted, supporting, comforting, preserving, and delivering them (John 14:18; Hebrews 2:18; Matthew 11:28-30; Luke 21:18; Revelation 3:10) [6]. John Gill notes that God delivers the poor in their affliction not necessarily out of it, but in it, by supporting them, providing grace for patient endurance, and granting His comforting presence [16].

The goodness of God is also expressed through His "loving-kindness," which is described as great, excellent, good, marvelous, multitudinous, and everlasting (Nehemiah 9:17; Psalm 36:7; Psalm 69:16; Psalm 17:7; Isaiah 63:7; Isaiah 54:8) [8]. This loving-kindness is experienced through Christ (Ephesians 2:7; Titus 3:4-6) and is considered better than life itself (Psalm 63:3) [8]. Believers are drawn by God's loving-kindness (Jeremiah 31:3), preserved by it (Psalm 40:11), and comforted by it (Psalm 119:76) [8].

The problem of evil and suffering is often addressed by distinguishing between God's ultimate sovereignty and the immediate causes of suffering. Human sin is understood to result from being governed by the devil, who rules both evil spiritual powers and human beings who refuse to obey God (Ephesians 2:2) [12]. However, God's goodness and justice are seen as different aspects of one unchangeable, infinitely wise, and sovereign moral perfection [5]. God is not sometimes good and sometimes severe; rather, His goodness and severity are both expressions of His consistent character. The book of Job, for example, explores the suffering of the righteous, and while Job's friends assert that sinners are cut off early, the biblical answer points to the complexity of God's dealings, including His long-suffering and ultimate justice (Romans 2:4; 1 Timothy 1:16; Psalm 73:18; Ecclesiastes 8:11-13; Proverbs 16:4; Romans 9:22) [10].

Sources

  1. I Peter “I Peter 2:19 (LEB) — For this finds favor, if because of consciousness of God someone endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.”
  2. Romans “See then the goodness and severity of God. Toward those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in his goodness; otherwise you also will be cut off. -- Romans 11:22”
  3. I Peter “I Peter 2:20 (LITV) — For what glory is it if you patiently endure while sinning and being buffeted? But if you are suffering while doing good, and patiently endure, this is a grace from God.”
  4. 1 Peter “For it is commendable if someone endures pain, suffering unjustly, because of conscience toward God. -- 1 Peter 2:19”
  5. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Goodness of God — A perfection of his character which he exercises towards his creatures according to their various circumstances and relations (Ps. 145:8, 9; 103:8; 1 John 4:8). Viewed generally, it is benevolence; as exercised with respect to the miseries of his creatures it is mercy, pity, compassion, and in the case of impenitent sinners, long-suffering patience; as exercised in communicating favour on the unworthy it is grace. "Goodness and justice are the several aspects of one unchangeable, infinitely wise, and sovereign moral perfection. God is not sometimes ”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflicted Saints — God is with -- Ps 46:5,7; Isa 43:2. God is a refuge and strength to -- Ps 27:5,6; Isa 25:4; Jer 16:19; Na 1:7. God comforts -- Isa 49:13; Jer 31:13; Mt 5:4; 2Co 1:4,5; 7:6. God preserves -- Ps 34:20. God delivers -- Ps 34:4,19; Pr 12:13; Jer 39:17,18. Christ is with -- Joh 14:18. Christ supports -- 2Ti 4:17; Heb 2:18. Christ comforts -- Isa 61:2; Mt 11:28-30; Lu 7:13; Joh 14:1; 16:33. Christ preserves -- Isa 63:9; Lu 21:18. Christ delivers -- Re 3:10. Should praise God -- Ps 13:5,6; 56:8-10; 57:6,7; 71:20-23. Should imitate Christ -- Heb 12:1-3; 1P”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Long-Suffering of God, The — Is part of his character -- Ex 34:6; Nu 14:18; Ps 86:15. Salvation, the object of -- 2Pe 3:15. Through Christ's intercession -- Lu 13:8. Should lead to repentance -- Ro 2:4; 2Pe 3:9. An encouragement to repent -- Joe 2:13. Exhibited in forgiving sins -- Ro 3:25. Exercised toward His people. -- Isa 30:18; Eze 20:17. The wicked. -- Ro 9:22; 1Pe 3:20. Plead in prayer -- Jer 15:15. Limits set to -- Ge 6:3; Jer 44:22. The wicked Abuse. -- Ec 8:11; Mt 24:48,49. Despise. -- Ro 2:4. Punished for despising. -- Ne 9:30; Mt 24:48-51; Ro 2:5. Illustr”
  8. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Loving-Kindness of God, The — Is through Christ -- Eph 2:7; Tit 3:4-6. Described as Great. -- Ne 9:17. Excellent. -- Ps 36:7. Good. -- Ps 69:16. Marvellous. -- Ps 17:7; 31:21. Multitudinous. -- Isa 63:7. Everlasting. -- Isa 54:8. Merciful. -- Ps 117:2. Better than life. -- Ps 63:3. Consideration of the dealings of God gives a knowledge of -- Ps 107:43. Saints Betrothed in. -- Ho 2:19. Drawn by. -- Jer 31:3. Preserved by. -- Ps 40:11. Quickened after. -- Ps 119:88. Comforted by. -- Ps 119:76. Look for mercy through. -- Ps 51:1. Receive mercy through. -- Isa 54:8. Are ”
  9. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sickness — Sent by God -- De 28:59-61; 32:39; 2Sa 12:15; Ac 12:23. The devil sometimes permitted to inflict -- Job 2:6,7; Lu 9:39; 13:16. Often brought on by intemperance -- Ho 7:5. Often sent as a punishment of sin -- Le 26:14-16; 2Ch 21:12-15; 1Co 11:30. One of God's four sore judgments on a guilty land -- Eze 14:19-21. God Promises to heal. -- Ex 23:25; 2Ki 20:5. Heals. -- De 32:39; Ps 103:3; Isa 38:5,9. Exhibits his mercy in healing. -- Php 2:27. Exhibits his power in healing. -- Lu 5:17. Exhibits his love in healing. -- Isa 38:17. Often manifests saving grace to”
  10. Job (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Job 21:7: The answer is Rom 2:4; Ti1 1:16; Psa 73:18; Ecc 8:11-13; Luk 2:35-end; Pro 16:4; Rom 9:22. old--in opposition to the friends who asserted that sinners are "cut off" early (Job 8:12, Job 8:14).”
  11. 1 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Peter 4:12: 4:12-19 Peter instructs Christians one last time about the way to face the trials that will inevitably come. 4:12 don’t be surprised: Christians, especially those seeking to lead godly lives, can expect to face the hostility of a sinful world (see John 16:33; Acts 14:22; Rom 8:17; Phil 1:29).”
  12. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:2: 2:2 Human sin results from our being governed by the devil, the spirit who rules both the powers of evil in the spiritual realm (see 1:21; 6:11-12; cp. Col 1:13) and human beings who refuse to obey God (2 Cor 4:4; contrast Rom 8:2-14; Gal 5:22-23).”
  13. Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 1:18: 1:18–3:20 Paul delays exploring the theme of righteousness through faith (see 3:21) until after he first teaches about universal sinfulness. Gentiles (1:18-32) and Jews (2:1–3:8) are equally under sin’s power and cannot find favor with God by any action of their own (3:9-20). 1:18 God’s anger is not a spontaneous emotional outburst, but the holy God’s necessary response to sin. The Old Testament often depicts God’s anger (Exod 32:10-12; Num 11:1; Jer 21:3-7) and predicts a decisive outpouring of God’s wrath on human sin at the end of history. While Paul usually de”
  14. Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 1:31: 1:31 Evil people suffer the consequences of their own actions (see 1:15-19); God will ensure that sinners receive their proper punishment (see Matt 25:44-46; Heb 10:29; 2 Pet 2:9).”
  15. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 71:19: 71:19-21 God’s righteous character provides encouragement and strength in the midst of suffering. The wounded psalmist confesses faith in God’s ability to transform his misery and weakness into abundant life.”
  16. Job (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Job 36:15: He delivereth the poor in his affliction,.... The righteous or godly poor; who are not only poor in worldly things, but poor in spirit; who are humbled, brought low, and made contrite, through the afflicting hand of God: these, though the Lord does sooner or later deliver "out" of their afflictions, yet that is not intended here, but a deliverance "in" them; which is done by supporting them under them, by supplying them with his grace to bear them patiently, by granting them his gracious presence for their comfort in them, by stilling the enemy and the avenger, keeping ”
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