The Sufficiency of Scripture in Trials and Suffering
The Bible, referred to as the Holy Scriptures, the Word of God, and the Word of Christ, is considered divinely inspired and profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness [1, 7]. This divine origin and purpose extend to its role in guiding believers through trials and suffering.
Scripture teaches that suffering is an expected part of the Christian life. Jesus himself endured persecution [2], and his followers are told to anticipate similar experiences [2, 9]. Paul, for instance, recounts his own persecutions and sufferings, noting that "The Lord delivered me out of them all" [6]. He also expresses contentment in weaknesses, insults, distresses, persecutions, and difficulties for Christ's sake, understanding that "when I am weak, then I am strong" [8].
The sufficiency of Scripture in these times is rooted in its ability to provide comfort, instruction, and hope. The apostle Peter instructs Christians to not be surprised by trials, as hostility from a sinful world is to be expected for those living godly lives [9]. The writings of the Old Testament, though they may relate immediately to Christ's sufferings, also furnish motives, spirit, and principles for believers enduring their own difficulties [13]. John Chrysostom emphasizes that these historical accounts were written so that believers could gain proof of future events from past experiences [14].
Furthermore, the Bible reveals God's character, including His long-suffering, which is intended to lead to repentance and offers encouragement [4]. Christ's compassion and sympathy are also highlighted, particularly for the weary, the weak in faith, the tempted, and the afflicted, serving as an encouragement to prayer [3]. The human nature of Christ, which included experiencing hunger, thirst, weariness, and weeping, was necessary for His mediatorial office and allows Him to sympathize with human suffering [5].
The Scriptures also clarify the nature of suffering. While some suffering is a consequence of sin [11], persecution often arises from ignorance of God and Christ, hatred of the Gospel, pride, or mistaken zeal [2]. The Bible provides guidance on how to respond, such as blessing those who curse [10]. The consolation received during suffering is often proportional to the trial itself, as God provides strength for endurance [12].
Sources
- 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”
- 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: 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: 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: Human Nature of Christ, The — Was necessary to his mediatorial office -- 1Ti 2:5; Heb 2:17; Ga 4:4,5; 1Co 15:21; Ro 6:15,19. Is proved by his Conception in the Virgin's womb. -- Mt 1:18; Lu 1:31. Birth. -- Mt 1:16,25; 2:2; Lu 2:7,11. Partaking of flesh and blood. -- Joh 1:14; Heb 2:14. Having a human soul. -- Mt 26:38; Lu 23:46; Ac 2:31. Circumcision. -- Lu 2:21. Increase in wisdom and stature. -- Lu 2:52. Weeping. -- Lu 19:41; Joh 11:35. Hungering. -- Mt 4:2; 21:18. Thirsting. -- Joh 4:7; 19:28. Sleeping. -- Mt 8:24; Mr 4:38. Being subject to weariness. -- Joh 4:6. ”
- 2 Timothy “persecutions, and sufferings: those things that happened to me at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. I endured those persecutions. The Lord delivered me out of them all. -- 2 Timothy 3:11”
- 2 Timothy “2 Timothy 3:16 (NASB) — All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;”
- 2 Corinthians “2 Corinthians 12:10 (NASB) — Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”
- 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 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).”
- Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 1:31: 1:31 Evil people suffer the consequences of their own actions (see 1:15-19); God will ensure that sinners receive their proper punishment (see Matt 25:44-46; Heb 10:29; 2 Pet 2:9).”
- 2 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Corinthians 1:5: The sufferings of Christ - Suffering endured for the cause of Christ: such as persecutions, hardships, and privations of different kinds. Our consolation also aboundeth - We stood as well, as firmly, and as easily, in the heaviest trial, as in the lightest; because the consolation was always proportioned to the trial and difficulty. Hence we learn, that he who is upheld in a slight trial need not fear a great one; for if he be faithful, his consolation shall abound, as his sufferings abound. Is it not as easy for a man to lift one hundred pounds' weight, as it”
- Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 15:4: For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning--"instruction" through, &c.--"through the comfort and the patience of the Scriptures" might have hope--that is, "Think not that because such portions of Scripture relate immediately to Christ, they are inapplicable to you; for though Christ's sufferings, as a Saviour, were exclusively His own, the motives that prompted them, the spirit in which they were endured, and the general principle involved in His whole work--self-sacrifice for the good of others--furnish our most per”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on John & Hebrews: all by actual experience? Yet for this purpose were all those things written, that if any one believe not that which is to come, he may, from what has already been, get certain proof of what shall be. Considering therefore these things, both the past and the future, let us at least take breath a little from this hard slavery, and make some account of our souls also, 1034 1034 i.e. as well as of earthly things. that we may obtain both present and future blessings; through the grace and lovingkindness of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom, with the Father”