The Power of Scripture in Times of Affliction
Scripture functions as a sustaining force during affliction, a theme woven throughout the biblical witness and Christian tradition. The Psalms testify to this reality: "I will be glad and rejoice in your loving kindness, for you have seen my affliction. You have known my soul in adversities" [2]. This confidence in God's attentive presence through his word forms the foundation for how believers approach suffering.
Biblical Teaching on Affliction and the Word
Paul's declaration in 2 Corinthians captures the paradox at the heart of Christian affliction: "Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong" [1]. This strength derives not from stoic endurance but from the power of God's word working within the believer. Scripture itself is "given by inspiration of God" and functions as "the Word of God" and "Word of truth" [4], carrying divine authority to sustain those who suffer.
Afflictions serve multiple purposes in the economy of God's dealings with his people. They promote God's glory, exhibit his power and faithfulness, teach his will, and turn believers toward him [3]. More specifically, they lead sufferers to seek God in prayer, convince them of sin, and keep them from departing from God [3]. The word of God mediates these benefits, as Matthew Henry observed regarding Psalm 119:50: "Thy word has quickened me. It made me alive when I was dead in sin; it has many a time made me lively when I was dead in duty" [5]. Because the word quickens at other times, it comforts in affliction.
The Mechanism of Scriptural Power
John Gill notes that afflictions, when sanctified, both try faith and produce patience [7]. The trying of faith reveals its genuineness "like gold tried in the fire," while the production of patience equips believers for endurance. This process depends on engagement with Scripture. Times of affliction are "times to bring to remembrance," awakening conscience and setting sins in order for humiliation [6]. David himself testified that he was "ready to perish in his affliction," yet marveled that he "had not perished" because he was "enabled to keep close to his God and was not driven off from his religion" [9].
John Chrysostom pointed to Christ's own endurance as the supreme encouragement: "For if the sufferings of those near us arouse us, what earnestness will not those of our Master give us!" [8]. The word presents Christ's example, making his power rest upon the afflicted believer.
Sources
- 2 Corinthians “Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong. -- 2 Corinthians 12:10”
- 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: 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”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Scriptures, The — Given by inspiration of God -- 2Ti 3:16. Given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit -- Ac 1:16; Heb 3:7; 2Pe 1:21. Christ sanctioned, by appealing to them -- Mt 4:4; Mr 12:10; Joh 7:42. Christ taught out of -- Lu 24:27. Are called the Word. -- Jas 1:21-23; 1Pe 2:2. Word of God. -- Lu 11:28; Heb 4:12. Word of Christ. -- Col 3:16. Word of truth. -- Jas 1:18. Holy Scriptures. -- Ro 1:2; 2Ti 3:15. Scripture of truth. -- Da 10:21. Book. -- Ps 40:7; Re 22:19. Book of the Lord. -- Isa 34:16. Book of the law. -- Ne 8:3; Ga 3:10. Law of the Lord. -- Ps 1:2; Isa”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 119:50: Here is David's experience of benefit by the word. 1. As a means of his sanctification: "Thy word has quickened me. It made me alive when I was dead in sin; it has many a time made me lively when I was dead in duty; it has quickened me to that which is good when I was backward and averse to it, and it has quickened me in that which is good when I was cold and indifferent." 2. Therefore as a means of his consolation when he was in affliction and needed something to support him: "Because thy word has quickened my at other times, it has comforted me then." The word”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 38:1: The title of this psalm is very observable; it is a psalm to bring to remembrance; the 70th psalm, which was likewise penned in a day of affliction, is so entitled. It is designed, 1. To bring to his own remembrance. We will suppose it penned when he was sick and in pain, and then it teaches us that times of sickness are times to bring to remembrance, to bring the sin to remembrance, for which God contended with us, to awaken our consciences to deal faithfully and plainly with us, and set our sins in order before us, for our humiliation. In a day of adversity cons”
- James (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on James 1:3: Knowing this,.... By experience; as everyone that is trained up in the school of affliction does: the apostle appeals to the saints, to whom he writes, for the truth of what he was about to say; and which he gives as a reason why they should rejoice in afflictions, because it is a known fact, that the trying of your faith worketh patience: two things afflictions do when sanctified; one is, they try faith, the truth of it, and make it appear to be true, genuine, and precious, like gold tried in the fire; see Pe1 1:6 and the other is, that they produce patience: saints ”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on John & Hebrews: 2 Cor. xii. 8–10 .) “Wherefore,” he says, “I take pleasure in infirmities, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” Moreover, hear Christ Himself saying, “In the world ye shall have tribulation.” ( John xvi. 33 .) [6.] Ver. 3 . “For consider,” saith he, “Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” For if the sufferings of those near us arouse us, what earnestness will not those of our Master give us! What w”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 119:92: Here is, 1. The great distress that David was in. He was in affliction, and ready to perish in his affliction, not likely to die, so much as likely to despair; he was ready to give up all for gone, and to look upon himself as cut off from God's sight; he therefore admires the goodness of God to him, that he had not perished, that he kept the possession of his own soul, and was not driven out of his wits by his troubles, but especially that he was enabled to keep close to his God and was not driven off from his religion by them. Though we are not kept from afflic”