The Purpose of God in Suffering and Trials in Scripture
God's purpose in allowing suffering and trials for believers is a recurring theme in Scripture, often presented as a means of refining faith, demonstrating divine judgment, and enabling identification with Christ. The Apostle Peter directly addresses this, stating that if it is God's will for believers to suffer, it is better to do so for doing good than for evil [1].
One primary purpose of suffering is to demonstrate God's righteous judgment and to prepare believers for His kingdom. Paul writes to the Thessalonians that their endurance in suffering is "a plain indication of God's righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which indeed you are suffering" [6]. This perspective suggests that trials are not arbitrary but serve a divine intention to prove and purify those who belong to God.
Suffering also serves as a means for believers to follow the example of Christ. Peter emphasizes that Jesus himself "underwent punishment for you, giving you an example, so that you might go in his footsteps" [4]. Christ's own suffering, including scorn and mocking, was predicted in the Psalms and Isaiah and endured by Him [5, 10]. This identification with Christ's suffering is a significant aspect of the Christian life, as "all that live godly in Christ, shall suffer" [3]. John Chrysostom notes that Christ's suffering was a true punishment to atone for sins, providing a model for believers [10].
Moreover, suffering can cultivate compassion and equip believers for ministry. Paul explains that one purpose of suffering is "to qualify Christ’s servants to enter sympathetically into the experience of others" [11]. This means that personal experience with affliction can enable ministers to better understand and comfort those they serve. The compassion of Christ, who suffered and was tempted, allows Him to sympathize with and succor those who are afflicted [8, 12].
The Bible also presents suffering as a consequence of living righteously in a fallen world. Christians can expect hostility from a sinful world, especially when seeking to live godly lives [9]. This suffering can arise from persecution for the sake of God, as Jeremiah experienced [3]. The "long-suffering of God" is part of His character, demonstrated in His patience towards both His people and the wicked, and it should lead to repentance [2]. However, those who despise or abuse God's long-suffering will face punishment [2].
While the doctrine of predestination acknowledges God's sovereign plan governing all events, including suffering, it is also recognized as a complex area belonging to the "secret things" of God [7]. Nevertheless, the suffering of Christ was foretold by Moses and the prophets, indicating its place within God's predetermined plan for salvation [13].
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.”
- 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”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Persecution — Christ suffered -- Ps 69:26; Joh 5:16. Christ voluntarily submitted to -- Isa 50:6. Christ was patient under -- Isa 53:7. Saints may expect -- Mr 10:30; Lu 21:12; Joh 15:20. Saints suffer, for the sake of God -- Jer 15:15. Of saints, is a persecution of Christ -- Zec 2:8; Ac 9:4,5. All that live godly in Christ, shall suffer -- 2Ti 3:12. Originates Ignorance of God and Christ. -- Joh 16:3. Hated to God and Christ. -- Joh 15:20,24. Hatred to the gospel. -- Mt 13:21. Pride. -- Ps 10:2. Mistaken zeal. -- Ac 13:50; 26:9-11. Is inconsistent with the spirit o”
- I Peter “I Peter 2:21 (BBE) — This is God's purpose for you: because Jesus himself underwent punishment for you, giving you an example, so that you might go in his footsteps:”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Scorning and Mocking — The sufferings of Christ by, predicted -- Ps 22:6-8; Isa 53:3; Lu 18:32. Christ endured -- Mt 9:24; 27:29. Saints endure, on account of Being children of God. -- Ge 21:9; Ga 4:29. Their uprightness. -- Job 12:4. Their faith. -- Heb 11:36. Their faithfulness in declaring the word of God. -- Jer 20:7,8. Their zeal for God's house. -- Ne 2:19. The wicked indulge in, against The second coming of Christ. -- 2Pe 3:3,4. The gifts of the Spirit. -- Ac 2:13. God's threatening. -- Isa 5:19; Jer 17:15. God's ministers. -- 2Ch 36:16. God's ordinances. -- L”
- 2 Thessalonians “2 Thessalonians 1:5 (NASB) — This is a plain indication of God's righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which indeed you are suffering.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Predestination — This word is properly used only with reference to God's plan or purpose of salvation. The Greek word rendered "predestinate" is found only in these six passages, Acts 4:28; Rom. 8:29, 30; 1 Cor. 2:7; Eph. 1:5, 11; and in all of them it has the same meaning. They teach that the eternal, sovereign, immutable, and unconditional decree or "determinate purpose" of God governs all events. This doctrine of predestination or election is beset with many difficulties. It belongs to the "secret things" of God. But if we take the revealed word of God as our guid”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Compassion and Sympathy of Christ, The — Necessary to his priestly office -- Heb 5:2,7. Manifested for the Weary and heavy-laden. -- Mt 11:28-30. Weak in faith. -- Isa 40:11; 42:3; Mt 12:20. Tempted. -- Heb 2:18. Afflicted. -- Lu 7:13; Joh 11:33,35. Diseased. -- Mt 14:14; Mr 1:41. Poor. -- Mr 8:2. Perishing sinners. -- Mt 9:36; Lu 19:41; Joh 3:16. An encouragement to prayer -- Heb 4:15.”
- 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).”
- 1 Peter (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Peter 3:18: Here, I. The example of Christ is proposed as an argument for patience under sufferings, the strength of which will be discerned if we consider the several points contained in the words; observe therefore, 1. Jesus Christ himself was not exempted from sufferings in this life, though he had no guilt of his own and could have declined all suffering if he had pleased. 2. The reason or meritorious cause of Christ's suffering was the sins of men: Christ suffered for sins. The sufferings of Christ were a true and proper punishment; this punishment was suffered to expia”
- 2 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Corinthians 1:4: 1:4-6 One purpose of suffering is to qualify Christ’s servants to enter sympathetically into the experience of others. Paul is not an aloof pastor, remote from the people to whom he ministers.”
- Hebrews (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hebrews 2:18: For in that he himself hath suffered - The maxim on which this verse is founded is the following: A state of suffering disposes persons to be compassionate, and those who endure most afflictions are they who feel most for others. The apostle argues that, among other causes, it was necessary that Jesus Christ should partake of human nature, exposed to trials, persecutions, and various sufferings, that he might the better feel for and be led to succor those who are afflicted and sorely tried. This sentiment is well expressed by a Roman poet: - Me quoque per multas s”
- Acts (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Acts 26:22: That Christ should suffer,.... Great afflictions in soul and body, and death itself; this is recorded by Moses, Gen 3:15 and is the sense of many of the types, as of the passover, brazen serpent, &c. and of all the sacrifices which from God were appointed by him, and is the constant account of all the prophets from the beginning to the end; see Psa 22:1 Dan 9:26. The sufferer is Christ, or the Messiah, not the Father, nor the Spirit, but the Word, or Son of God, and not in his divine nature, which was incapable of suffering, but in his human nature; though sufferings m”