The Good of God's Purposes in Affliction and Suffering

The goodness of God is a core attribute of His character, encompassing His benevolence, mercy, compassion, and grace towards His creatures ^[6]. This divine goodness extends even to instances of affliction and suffering, which, in the biblical view, are not arbitrary but serve specific purposes within God's overarching plan ^[2]. While suffering is a common human experience, it holds particular significance for believers, often being directed by God for their ultimate good and His glory ^[2].

One primary purpose of affliction is to promote the glory of God ^[5]. The narratives of John 9:1-3 and 11:3-4, for example, illustrate how physical ailments and even death can become platforms for God to display His power and character ^[5]. Similarly, the apostle Paul's "thorn in the flesh" (2 Corinthians 12:7-10) demonstrates that even personal suffering can highlight God's strength perfected in human weakness, thereby bringing Him glory ^[2].

Afflictions also serve to exhibit God's power and faithfulness ^[5]. Psalm 34:19-20 and 2 Corinthians 4:8-11 suggest that in times of distress, God's ability to sustain and deliver His people becomes evident ^[5]. This demonstration of divine faithfulness can strengthen the faith of believers and bear witness to those outside the faith.

A significant aspect of God's purpose in suffering is its pedagogical value. Afflictions can teach individuals the will of God, as suggested by Psalm 119:71 and Isaiah 26:9 ^[5]. The experience of hardship can lead to a deeper understanding of divine commands and a greater alignment with God's ways. Furthermore, suffering can turn people towards God, as seen in Deuteronomy 4:30-31 and Hosea 2:6-7, prompting repentance and a renewed focus on Him ^[5]. It can also serve to prevent believers from straying again, as implied in Job 34:31-32 and Isaiah 10:20 ^[5].

Prayer is often a direct outcome of affliction. Passages like Judges 4:3 and Jonah 2:1 show that distress can drive individuals to seek God in prayer, leading to earnest supplication for deliverance, comfort, and divine guidance ^{[5, 7]}. John Gill notes that affliction can bring a good person to prayer, especially if they have been negligent in times of health and prosperity ^[13]. This seeking of God in prayer is not merely for relief but also for pardon and deliverance from sin, and for a turning back to God ^[7].

Affliction can also be instrumental in convincing individuals of their sin ^[5]. Job 36:8-9 and Psalm 119:67 indicate that suffering can act as a catalyst for self-reflection and recognition of wrongdoing, leading to repentance ^[5]. The parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:16-18) illustrates how dire circumstances can bring about a realization of one's sinful state and a desire to return to the father ^[5].

The New Testament further elaborates on the purposes of suffering for believers. Peter instructs Christians not to be surprised by trials, as hostility from a sinful world is an expected part of a godly life (1 Peter 4:12) ^[10]. He emphasizes that suffering for doing good, if it is God's will, is preferable to suffering for wrongdoing (1 Peter 3:17) ^{[1, 4]}. Indeed, enduring sorrows unjustly "finds favor" with God when done out of a consciousness of Him (1 Peter 2:19) ^[3]. This perspective aligns with the idea that afflictions are for the good of men (James 1:2-3, 12) and are to be borne with patience ^[2].

The apostle Paul, in Romans 8:35-39, asserts that nothing can separate believers from the love of Christ, even in the face of tribulation, distress, persecution, or suffering ^[2]. He also speaks of "light affliction" which is "working for us an eternal weight of glory" (2 Corinthians 4:16-18), suggesting that present sufferings are temporary and contribute to a greater, everlasting good ^{[2, 14]}. This perspective frames affliction as a means to an end, a temporary hardship that yields eternal benefits.

The goodness of God, as a perfection of His character, is consistently exercised towards His creatures ^[6]. This goodness is not merely benevolence but also encompasses mercy, pity, compassion, and long-suffering patience, even towards impenitent sinners ^[6]. When communicating favor to the unworthy, it is called grace ^[6]. Therefore, even in the context of affliction, God's goodness remains steadfast, working through these experiences for the ultimate benefit of His people.

The concept of God's goodness in affliction is not without its complexities. The book of Job, for instance, grapples with the question of why the righteous suffer. While Job's friends assert that sinners are "cut off" early, the book ultimately points to a deeper, often mysterious, divine purpose beyond human comprehension ^[9]. God's anger, as described in Romans 1:18, is not an arbitrary emotional outburst but a necessary response to sin, reflecting His holy character ^[11]. However, even in His anger, God's ultimate aim for His people is their good.

The suffering of Christ is also central to understanding God's purposes in affliction. Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5:44-45, to bless those who curse, and Paul's practice of supporting himself to avoid blame (1 Corinthians 4:12), demonstrate a pattern of enduring hardship and responding with grace, mirroring Christ's own suffering ^[12]. The love of God, described as sovereign, great, abiding, unfailing, unalienable, constraining, and everlasting (Jeremiah 31:3; Ephesians 2:4; Romans 8:39), is manifested towards perishing sinners and His saints, even in their suffering ^[8].

Sources

I Peter “I Peter 3:17 (BBE) — Because if it is God's purpose for you to undergo pain, it is better to do so for well-doing than for evil-doing.”
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).”
I Peter “I Peter 2:19 (LEB) — For this finds favor, if because of consciousness of God someone endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.”
King James Version “[KJV] 1 Peter 3:17 — For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflictions Made Beneficial — In promoting the glory of God -- Joh 9:1-3; 11:3,4; 21:18,19. In exhibiting the power and faithfulness of God -- Ps 34:19,20; 2Co 4:8-11. In teaching us the will of God -- Ps 119:71; Isa 26:9; Mic 6:9. In turning us to God -- De 4:30,31; Ne 1:8,9; Ps 78:34; Isa 10:20,21; Ho 2:6,7. In keeping us from again departing from God -- Job 34:31,32; Isa 10:20; Eze 14:10,11. In leading us to seek God in prayer -- Jdj 4:3; Jer 31:18; La 2:17-19; Ho 5:14,15; Jon 2:1. In convincing us of sin -- Job 36:8,9; Ps 119:67; Lu 15:16-18. In leading us to con”
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 ”
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: Love of God, The — Is a part of his character -- 2Co 13:11; 1Jo 4:8. Christ, the especial object of -- Joh 15:9; 17:26. Christ abides in -- Joh 15:10. Described as Sovereign. -- De 7:8; 10:15. Great. -- Eph 2:4. Abiding. -- Zep 3:17. Unfailing. -- Isa 49:15,16. Unalienable. -- Ro 8:39. Constraining. -- Ho 11:4. Everlasting. -- Jer 31:3. Irrespective of merit -- De 7:7; Job 7:17. Manifested towards Perishing sinners. -- Joh 3:16; Tit 3:4. His saints. -- Joh 16:27; 17:23; 2Th 2:16; 1Jo 4:16. The destitute. -- De 10:18. The cheerful giver. -- 2Co 9:7. Exhibited in The g”
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).”
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).”
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”
1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 4:12: 4:12 We work: To avoid being blamed by others for taking money, Paul preferred to support himself (9:3-18; Acts 18:3; 20:33-35). • We bless those who curse us: Paul’s response was in line with Jesus’ teaching (Matt 5:44-45; cp. Rom 12:14, 17-21).”
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”
2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 4:16: For our light affliction,.... The difference between the present and future state of the saints is here expressed, the disparity between them shown, and the influence the one has upon the other. The present state is a state of "affliction". Affliction is the common lot of the children of men, but more especially of the children of God, and is here designed by "our" affliction; for these, besides their soul trouble, meet with such in the world, and from the men of it, others do not. Afflictions are appointed for them by their heavenly Father; provision is made f”

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