Supporting One Another in Times of Affliction and Suffering
Supporting one another in times of affliction and suffering is a recurring theme in Christian scripture, emphasizing both individual and communal responsibility. The Apostle Paul exhorts believers in Ephesians to bear with one another in love, characterized by humility, meekness, and patience [1]. This mutual support is rooted in the comfort believers themselves receive from God during their own trials [2].
The biblical understanding of affliction acknowledges its universality, noting that suffering is common to all people [8]. However, for believers, affliction is often presented as serving a divine purpose: for their good and for God's glory [8]. For instance, 2 Corinthians 1:4 states that God comforts believers in their afflictions so that they, in turn, can comfort others experiencing similar difficulties [2]. This suggests a cyclical process where personal experience of divine comfort equips individuals to minister to others [2, 3]. The patient endurance of suffering is also highlighted as a fruit of this divine comfort [3].
Scripture outlines various duties toward those who are afflicted. These include praying for them, sympathizing with their pain, showing pity, remembering them, visiting them, comforting them, and providing relief [4]. Specific passages encourage prayer for the afflicted (Acts 12:5; Philippians 1:16, 19; James 5:14-16) and emphasize the importance of bearing one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2) [4]. The call to "weep with those who weep" (Romans 12:15) underscores the need for genuine empathy [4].
Affliction is not always a sign of divine displeasure; rather, God is depicted as being with the afflicted, serving as their refuge, strength, and comforter [7]. Psalms 31:7 expresses confidence in God's loving-kindness, acknowledging that God sees and knows the soul in adversity [5]. Christ himself is presented as a source of support and comfort for those who suffer [7].
While suffering is a part of the human condition, Christians are encouraged to face trials with patience [8]. The Tyndale House commentary on 1 Peter notes that Christians, particularly those striving for godly lives, should expect hostility from the world [9]. This perspective aligns with Jesus' teaching that his followers would experience tribulation (John 16:33) [9]. However, this suffering is not without purpose, as it can lead to the everlasting good of God's people [8].
Prayer is a significant response to affliction, both for the one suffering and for those supporting them [6]. The afflicted are encouraged to pray for God's presence, support, comfort, and deliverance, and for divine teaching and direction during their trials [6]. John Gill, commenting on Job 33:26, suggests that prayer during affliction can be a means of recovery and a way for individuals to turn back to God [11]. The emphasis is on afflicting the soul through genuine mourning and weeping over sin, rather than merely outward displays of penance [10].
Sources
- Ephesians “Ephesians 4:2 (Geneva1599) — With all humblenesse of minde, and meekenesse, with long suffering, supporting one an other through loue,”
- 2 Corinthians “who comforts us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. -- 2 Corinthians 1:4”
- 2 Corinthians “But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer. -- 2 Corinthians 1:6”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflicted, Duty Toward The — To pray for them -- Ac 12:5; Php 1:16,19; Jas 5:14-16. To sympathise with them -- Ro 12:15; Ga 6:2. To pity them -- Job 6:14. To bear them in mind -- Heb 13:3. To visit them -- Jas 1:27. To comfort them -- Job 16:5; 29:25; 2Co 1:4; 1Th 4:18. To relieve them -- Job 31:19,20; Isa 58:10; Php 4:14; 1Ti 5:10. To protect them -- Ps 82:3; Pr 22:22; 31:5.”
- Psalms “I will be glad and rejoice in your loving kindness, for you have seen my affliction. You have known my soul in adversities. -- Psalms 31:7”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Affliction, Prayer Under — Exhortation to -- Jas 5:13. That God would consider our trouble -- 2Ki 19:16; Ne 9:32; Ps 9:13; La 5:1. For the presence and support of God -- Ps 10:1; 102:2. That the Holy Spirit may not be withdrawn -- Ps 51:11. For divine comfort -- Ps 4:6; 119:76. For mitigation of troubles -- Ps 39:12,13. For deliverance -- Ps 25:17,22; 39:10; Isa 64:9-12; Jer 17:14. For pardon and deliverance from sin -- Ps 39:8; 51:1; 79:8. That we may be turned to God -- Ps 80:7; 85:4-6; Jer 31:18. For divine teaching and direction -- Job 34:32; Ps 27:11; 143:10. Fo”
- 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”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Afflictions — Common to all (Job 5:7; 14:1; Ps. 34:19); are for the good of men (James 1:2, 3, 12; 2 Cor. 12:7) and the glory of God (2 Cor. 12:7-10; 1 Pet. 4:14), and are to be borne with patience by the Lord's people (Ps. 94:12; Prov. 3:12). They are all directed by God (Lam. 3:33), and will result in the everlasting good of his people (2 Cor. 4:16-18) in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:35-39).”
- 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).”
- James (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on James 4:9: Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep,.... Not in a bare external way; not by afflicting the body with fastings and scourgings, by renting of garments, and clothing with sackcloth, and putting ashes on the head, and other such outward methods of humiliation; but afflicting the soul is meant, an inward mourning and weeping over the plague of the heart, the impurity of nature, and the various sins of life; after a godly sort, and because contrary to a God of infinite love and grace; in an evangelical way, looking to Jesus, and being affected with the pardoning grace and love ”
- Job (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Job 33:26: He shall pray unto God,.... As the former verse expresses the condition of the body of the man recovered from sickness, this the frame of his soul, and the spiritual blessings enjoyed by him: some understand this of his praying in the time of his affliction, and consider it as one means of his recovery; and indeed a time of affliction is a time for prayer; and which brings a good man to it, who in health and prosperity has been negligent of it; such an one will make his application to God for deliverance, and not to the creature; and it is his mercy and privilege he has”