Purpose of Hardship in Christian Life and Suffering
Hardship and suffering in the Christian life serve multiple purposes, often refining believers and demonstrating God's character. The Apostle Paul, for instance, found delight in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties, recognizing that in his weakness, he became strong (2 Corinthians 12:10 [1, 2]). This perspective suggests that adversity can be a means through which divine strength is manifested.
One purpose of suffering is to equip believers to minister to others. Paul indicates that God comforts believers in their afflictions so that they, in turn, can comfort those who are in any trouble, drawing from the comfort they themselves received from God (2 Corinthians 1:4-6). This suggests that shared experience of hardship fosters empathy and enables more effective pastoral care [11].
Suffering can also be a consequence of living a godly life in a fallen world. Christians, particularly those striving for godliness, should anticipate hostility from a sinful world [8]. Jesus himself suffered persecution (John 15:20), and his followers are told to expect similar treatment (Luke 21:12; John 15:20; 2 Timothy 3:12 [5]). This persecution can arise from ignorance of God and Christ, hatred toward God and the gospel, pride, or mistaken zeal [5]. The sufferings of Christ, including scorn and mocking, were predicted in the Old Testament (Psalm 22:6-8; Isaiah 53:3) and endured by Him (Matthew 27:29) [6]. Believers may endure similar scorn for their faith and faithfulness [6].
The example of Christ is central to understanding the purpose of suffering. Jesus Christ was not exempt from suffering, despite His sinlessness, and His suffering was a proper punishment for the sins of humanity, serving as an expiation [12]. He suffered "for sins, the upright one taking the place of sinners" (1 Peter 3:18 [3]). Christ's voluntary submission to suffering (Isaiah 50:6) and His patience under it (Isaiah 53:7) provide a model for believers [5]. His compassion for the afflicted, weary, tempted, and perishing is also highlighted, demonstrating His sympathetic nature necessary for His priestly office (Hebrews 2:18; 4:15; 5:2, 7) [4].
Furthermore, hardship can serve as a test of faith and a means of spiritual growth. John Chrysostom, an early Church Father, noted that trials can be a test of one's faith [9]. Calvin, in his Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, suggests that enduring hardships with fortitude and patience can be "seals of adoption to the children of God" [10]. He also notes that while suffering is naturally bitter, a taste of God's grace can alleviate its bitterness, making it an evidence of salvation [10].
The concept of God's long-suffering is also relevant, as it is part of His character (Exodus 34:6; Numbers 14:18) and aims at salvation (2 Peter 3:15) [7]. This divine patience should lead individuals to repentance (Romans 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9) [7]. However, those who abuse or despise God's long-suffering will face punishment (Romans 2:4-5) [7].
Sources
- II Corinthians “II Corinthians 12:10 (BSB) — That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
- 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”
- I Peter “I Peter 3:18 (BBE) — Because Christ once went through pain for sins, the upright one taking the place of sinners, so that through him we might come back to God; being put to death in the flesh, but given life in the Spirit;”
- 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.”
- 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”
- 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”
- 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”
- 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).”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: 13:17 13:23 James 1:6 2:13 2:19 2:26 3:11 4:3 1 Peter 1:3 1:12 2:13 2:21 2:21 2:22 2:22 2:22 5:5 5:8 5:8 5:8 2 Peter 2:4 3:13 1 John 2:9 3:2 3:8 4:8 Revelation 1 1:4 1:9 1:11 1:16 1:20 2 3 3:12 14:1 14:4 14:13 15:6 20:9 22:16 Tobit 12:9 Wisdom of Solomon 1:4 1:14 11:23 11:24 14:16 Sirach 2:2 2:2 2:4 2:10 2:11 2:27 3:10-12 3:11 5:6 6:14 6:16 6:34 7:6 7:31 9:13 9:15 10:9 10:12-13 11:1 11:2 11:3 11:3 11:4 11:15 11:28 12:13 13:15 14:9 15:9 16:3 18:13 18:13 19:14-15 20:20 21:2 22:21-22 23:17 23:17 25:1 25:1 25:11 26:27 28:6 31:1 32:10”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, section 9.4: a manner seals of adoption to the children of God, if they endure them with fortitude and patience: the wicked give a token of their condemnation, because they stumble against a stone by which they shall be bruised to pieces. ( Matthew 21:44 .) And that from God . This is restricted to the last clause, that a taste of the grace of God may allay the bitterness of the cross. No one will naturally perceive the cross a token or evidence of salvation, for they are things that are contrary in appearance. Hence Paul calls ”
- 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.”
- 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”