Understanding Suffering in the Context of Redemption Theology
Suffering, within the framework of redemption theology, is understood not merely as an unfortunate aspect of human existence but as a complex phenomenon intertwined with God's character, humanity's fallen state, and the redemptive work of Christ. Redemption itself signifies the "purchase back of something that had been lost, by the payment of a ransom" [1]. This concept is central to understanding how suffering, particularly that endured by believers, relates to Christ's atoning sacrifice.
The Bible presents various facets of suffering. God's own character includes long-suffering, which is part of His nature and aims at salvation, leading people to repentance [3]. This divine long-suffering is exhibited in forgiving sins and is exercised towards both His people and the wicked [3]. However, human sin often results from being governed by evil, leading to a refusal to obey God [10]. God's anger, in response to sin, is not a spontaneous emotional outburst but a necessary reaction from a holy God [11]. Evil people, in particular, suffer the consequences of their own actions, and God ensures that sinners receive their proper punishment [12].
For believers, suffering takes on additional dimensions. Christians are told to expect persecution and suffering [5, 9]. The Apostle Peter instructs believers not to be surprised by the fiery trials that come their way, as those seeking to lead godly lives can anticipate hostility from a sinful world [9]. Enduring unjust suffering because of one's conscience toward God is commended [2, 6]. Paul, for instance, recounted his own persecutions and sufferings, noting that the Lord delivered him from them all [7].
Crucially, Christian suffering is often connected to Christ's own experience. Jesus Christ was not exempt from suffering, enduring it as a true and proper punishment for the sins of humanity [13]. He voluntarily submitted to persecution and was patient under it [5]. His compassion and sympathy were manifested for the weary, the weak in faith, the tempted, and the afflicted [8]. Believers are called to "know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Him in His death" [4]. This "fellowship of His sufferings" implies a participation in Christ's suffering, not in a way that adds to the redemptive efficacy of His unique sacrifice, but rather as Christ suffering through His people in a world hostile to the message of redemption [15]. This suffering continues until God's purposes are complete [15]. John Chrysostom emphasizes that even after believing in Christ and the power of His resurrection, and having fellowship with His sufferings, one cannot be entirely confident, echoing Paul's warning to "take heed lest he fall" [14].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Redemption — The purchase back of something that had been lost, by the payment of a ransom. The Greek word so rendered is apolutrosis, a word occurring nine times in Scripture, and always with the idea of a ransom or price paid, i.e., redemption by a lutron (see Matt. 20:28; Mark 10:45). There are instances in the LXX. Version of the Old Testament of the use of lutron in man's relation to man (Lev. 19:20; 25:51; Ex. 21:30; Num. 35:31, 32; Isa. 45:13; Prov. 6:35), and in the same sense of man's relation to God (Num. 3:49; 18:15). There are many passages in the New Tes”
- I Peter “I Peter 2:19 (BSB) — For if anyone endures the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God, this is to be commended.”
- 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”
- Philippians “Philippians 3:10 (BSB) — I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Him in His death,”
- 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”
- 1 Peter “For it is commendable if someone endures pain, suffering unjustly, because of conscience toward God. -- 1 Peter 2:19”
- 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”
- 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).”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:2: 2:2 Human sin results from our being governed by the devil, the spirit who rules both the powers of evil in the spiritual realm (see 1:21; 6:11-12; cp. Col 1:13) and human beings who refuse to obey God (2 Cor 4:4; contrast Rom 8:2-14; Gal 5:22-23).”
- 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”
- 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).”
- 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”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: nay, moreover, I suffer for Him, yet I am unable to be confident concerning the Resurrection. What resurrection doth he here mention? That which leads to Christ Himself. I said, that I believed in “Him, and in the power of His resurrection,” and that I “have fellowship with His sufferings,” and that I “become conformed to His death.” Yet after all these things I am by no means confident; as he said elsewhere, “Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall.” ( 1 Cor. x. 12 .) And again, “I fear lest by any means, after”
- Colossians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Colossians 1:24: 1:24–2:5 Paul considers his own role in the widespread preaching of the Good News (1:23). 1:24 I am participating in the sufferings of Christ (literally I am filling up what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ): While the redemptive suffering of Christ is unique and completely finished, Christ still suffers through his people in a world hostile to the message of redemption. Christ and his church will continue to suffer until God’s purposes in this world are complete (see also Mark 13:19-23; Rom 8:17-18; 1 Thes 3:3).”