Suffering
Suffering
Suffering is the usual translation of (found in sing. [Note: singular.] only in Heb 2:9) in Authorized Version and Revised Version . In Authorized Version the Gr. word is also translation afflictions (3 times; Revised Version sufferings), affections (Gal 5:24; Revised Version passions), and emotions (Rom 7:5; Revised Version passions). The cognate verb is always translation suffer in Authorized Version and Revised Version , with two exceptions (Act 1:3, passion, Authorized Version and Revised Version ; Act 28:5, Authorized Version feel, Revised Version took). The same verb appears in compound forms in suffer before (1Th 2:2, Authorized Version and Revised Version ) and suffer with (Rom 8:17, 1Co 12:26, Authorized Version and Revised Version ). In Revised Version is rendered suffering (Jam 5:10; Authorized Version suffering affliction); , suffer hardship (2Ti 4:5, Authorized Version endure afflictions; 2Ti 2:9, Authorized Version suffer trouble), be suffering (Jam 5:13; Authorized Version be afflicted); , suffer hardship with (2Ti 1:8, Authorized Version be partaker of the afflictions of; and 2Ti 2:3, Authorized Version endure hardness). In Authorized Version is rendered should suffer, in Revised Version must suffer, in Revised Version margin subject to suffering (Act 26:23).
Other words rendered by suffer are (Act 5:41; Authorized Version suffer shame, Revised Version suffer dishonour); (pass.), suffer loss (1Co 3:15, Php 3:8, Authorized Version and Revised Version ; 2Co 7:9, Revised Version ; Authorized Version receive damage); (Heb 13:3; Authorized Version suffer adversity, Revised Version be evil entreated); (1Co 13:4, Authorized Version and Revised Version , suffer long; 2Pe 3:9, Authorized Version and Revised Version , 1Th 5:14, Revised Version , be longsuffering, elsewhere be patient, 1Th 5:14, Authorized Version , Jam 5:7 f., Authorized Version , Jam 5:7 f., Revised Version , or patiently endure, Heb 6:15, Authorized Version and Revised Version ); , suffer shipwreck (2Co 11:25, Authorized Version and Revised Version ); (pass.), suffer reproach (1Ti 4:10, Authorized Version ; Revised Version strive); (1Co 9:12; Authorized Version suffer, Revised Version bear; also translation bear 1Co 13:7, Authorized Version and Revised Version , and forbear, 1Th 3:1; 1Th 3:5, Authorized Version and Revised Version ); (Heb 11:25; Authorized Version suffer affliction with, Revised Version be evil entreated with); (Jud 1:7, suffer, Authorized Version and Revised Version ); (2Ti 2:12; Authorized Version suffer, Revised Version endure; usually rendered endure in Authorized Version and Revised Version , but also be patient, Rom 12:12, Authorized Version and Revised Version , take patiently, 1Pe 2:20 bis, Authorized Version and Revised Version ).
1. The sufferings of Christ.-The sufferings of Christ were foretold (Act 3:18; Act 26:22 f., 1Pe 1:11). It behoved the Christ to suffer (Act 17:3; cf. Heb 9:26). Moses and the prophets showed how that must be (Act 26:23; cf. Act 17:3). He suffered throughout His earthly life, in the flesh (1Pe 4:1). He suffered, being tempted (Heb 2:18). On the Cross His sufferings culminated. He suffered for sins once (1Pe 3:18), suffered without the gate (Heb 13:12; cf. Act 1:3). His sufferings revealed His character, and had a reflex influence on His own nature. When he suffered, he threatened not (1Pe 2:23). He learned obedience by the things which he suffered (Heb 5:8). Of these sufferings St. Peter was one of the chief witnesses (1Pe 5:1), and he points out Christ as the great example (1Pe 2:21). It was for His followers that He suffered (ib.).
2. The sufferings of Christ shared by Christians.-Though Christ suffered, His disciples are not saved from suffering. Rather does their relationship to Him cause them to suffer also. If they are faithful to Him, the enmity and opposition He met with will also to some extent fall to their lot. Hence St. Paul, who endured so much on behalf of the gospel, could with reason speak of sharing the sufferings of Christ. The sufferings of Christ abound unto us, he says (2Co 1:5). He longs to know the fellowship of his sufferings (Php 3:10). Others who belong to Christ also suffer with Him; and those who thus suffer will share His glory (Rom 8:17). Insomuch as ye are partakers of Christs sufferings, rejoice (1Pe 4:13). If we endure, we shall also reign with him (2Ti 2:12).
3. Suffering on behalf of the faith.-The suffering of the NT is almost entirely suffering in the cause of Christ. St. Paul is told that he is to suffer for the Lords names sake (Act 9:16). He tells Timothy that he suffers because he is an apostle and a teacher (2Ti 1:12), suffers hardship even unto bonds (2Ti 2:9). He speaks of his sufferings in such a way as to show that they were chiefly persecutions (2Ti 3:11). Accordingly, Timothy is exhorted to suffer hardship with him (2Ti 2:3). Be not ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner; but suffer hardship with the gospel (2Ti 1:8). Suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist (2Ti 4:5). St. Paul suffered, and was shamefully entreated at Philippi (1Th 2:2). There he endured stripes and imprisonment (Act 16:19 ff., esp. Act 16:23). He also suffered because of the perverse ideas of his converts (1Co 9:12, 2Co 1:6). His converts, too, frequently suffered on account of the faith. The Galatians suffered many things (cf. Act 14:2-5; Act 14:19-22). The Philippians suffered on behalf of Christ (Php 1:29). The Thessalonians suffered for the Kingdom of God (2Th 1:5) at the hands of their fellow-countrymen, as the churches of Judaea did at the hands of the Jews (1Th 2:14). The readers of 1 Pet. were also subjected to suffering. They suffered wrongfully when well-doing (1Pe 2:19-20), for righteousness sake (1Pe 3:14; cf. 1Pe 3:17), as Christians (1Pe 4:16). St. Peter told them that those who are called to Gods eternal Kingdom in Christ may nevertheless suffer (1Th 5:10), just as St. Paul had told Timothy that all that would live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution (2Ti 3:12). Among the things which the Christians of Smyrna have to suffer is imprisonment (Rev 2:10; cf. Heb 13:3). The Hebrews are reminded that after they were enlightened they endured a great conflict of sufferings; partly, being made a gazingstock both by reproaches and by afflictions; and partly, becoming partakers with them that were so used (Heb 10:32). The heroes also suffered for their faithfulness. Moses preferred to suffer affliction with the people of God (Heb 11:25). The prophets gave an example of suffering (Jam 5:10). The early Christians seem to have concerned themselves little about what we call the problem of suffering, except perhaps in so far as their sufferings were ascribed to the activity of the devil (1Pe 5:9). Their chief anxiety seems to have been that they should suffer according to the will of God (1Pe 4:19), i.e. for well-doing (1Pe 3:17, 1Pe 4:19).
4. The fruits of suffering.-Jesus because of the suffering of death was crowned with glory and honour (Heb 2:9). Glories followed His sufferings (1Pe 1:11). Through them He was made perfect (Heb 2:10; cf. Heb 5:8). In the case of His followers suffering has a similar result. Those who suffer for righteousness sake are blessed (1Pe 3:14). Those who are called to Gods eternal glory in Christ and suffer a little while shall be perfected, established, and strengthened by God (1Pe 5:10). One who suffers as a Christian has reason to glorify God (1Pe 4:16). To do well and to suffer for it is acceptable with Him (1Pe 2:20). Wherefore let them also that suffer according to the will of God commit their souls in well-doing unto a faithful Creator (1Pe 4:19).
There is a great mass of modern literature on the problem of pain or suffering, but how little of it is concerned with sorrow at the slow progress of righteousness or of the Kingdom of God! It was otherwise in the Apostolic Age. There is very little in the NT about purely personal suffering (Act 28:5, 1Co 12:26). In one case at least suffering is distinguished from sickness (Jam 5:13 f.).
Literature.-R. Winterbotham, The Kingdom of Heaven Here and Hereafter, London, 1898, pp. 234-240; J. Weiss, Die Schriften des NT, Gttingen, 1907, s.v. Leiden in index; Handkommentar zum NT, Freiburg, 1892, s.v. Leiden in indexes; Thayer Grimms Gr.-Eng. Lexicon of the NT, s.vv.; Dict. of Christ and the Gospels , s.v.; H. W. Beecher, Sermons, 2nd ser., London, 1870, pp. 271-297; A. B. Bruce, The Providential Order of the World, do., 1897, pp. 125 ff., 259 ff.; F. W. Robertson, Expository lectures on the Corinthians, do., 1859, pp. 317 ff., 446 ff., Sermons, 5th ser., do., 1904, serms. i. and ii.
William Watson.
SUN
Mention of the sun in the Apostolic Age is almost entirely confined to the book of Revelation. In the Heavenly Jerusalem the sun shall not light upon the blessed nor any heat (Rev 7:16). There will no longer be any need of the sun (Rev 21:23). Dread judgments are symbolized by the obscuring of the sun, e.g. The sun became black as sackcloth (Rev 6:12); see also Rev 8:12; Rev 9:2; Rev 16:8 and Act 2:20, Joess prophecy quoted by St. Peter. It is twice used in similes, i.e. in the description of the Vision of the Christ, His countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength (Act 1:16), and in the description of an angel, His face was as the sun (Act 10:1).
In Rev 12:1 the woman in the vision is arrayed with the sun. The idea may be taken from Psa 104:2, Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment. The author may also have had in mind the description of the Bride in Son 6:10, clear as the sun. If, as some think, the woman represents the Jewish Church, then she appears in all the glory of the patriarchs (see Rom 9:5). But Semitic writers were apt to decorate representative persons with the heavenly bodies.
Lastly, in Rev 19:17 the angel who is entrusted with the overthrow of the Beast and the false prophet is represented as standing in the sun-probably that he may be able from his position in mid-heaven to summon the great birds of prey to feed on the flesh of the kings enemies lying on the battle-field.
Morley Stevenson.
Fuente: Dictionary of the Apostolic Church
SUFFERING
Before they brought sin into their world, human beings were was in a state of harmony with God and with the natural world, and as a result were free of pain and suffering. But when they sinned, this state of harmony was ruined. God had given the natural world to them for their physical and spiritual well-being, but that world now became a cause of suffering. God had intended physical effort and bodily functions to bring pleasure, but now they brought pain and hardship (Gen 3:16-19).
Unanswered questions
It is therefore true to say that there is suffering in the world because there is sin in the world. It is not true to say, however, that the personal suffering of any one person is the direct result of that persons sin. The book of Job makes it plain that a person cannot know the moral reasons for anothers suffering. God alone knows (Job 42:2; Job 42:7).
If suffering is not a measure of a persons sin, freedom from suffering is not a measure of a persons righteousness (Ecc 8:14; Luk 13:1-5; 1Pe 2:19). In fact, often the righteous suffer, while the wicked enjoy peace and prosperity (Psa 73:3-5; Psa 73:12-14). This is part of the mystery of human suffering. God does not satisfy peoples curiosity concerning this mystery, but he does work in the lives of those who suffer, to bring them to a fuller knowledge of himself and therefore to glorify him (Joh 9:1-3; 2Co 1:3-7; see also DISEASE).
Satan takes pleasure in causing people to suffer (Luk 13:16; 2Co 12:7), but he can do his cruel work only to the extent God allows (Job 1:8-12; Job 2:1-8). Those who are in a right relationship with God may therefore see their suffering not as something essentially evil, but as something out of which good may come.
In some cases, for example, believers may regard their suffering as a means of teaching them endurance, trust and other virtues. As a result they grow more towards the sorts of people that God wants them to be (Isa 38:17; Rom 5:3-5; 2Co 12:7-19). In other cases they may regard it as a fitting chastisement for some wrong they have done (Psa 38:1-8; Psa 41:3-4; see CHASTISEMENT). Or they may regard it simply as a fact of life that they cannot explain but must accept; though they must do so with faith and courage, not resentment or bitterness (Psa 73:21-26; Rom 8:18; 2Co 4:17-18; 1Pe 4:19; cf. Psa 13:1-2; Jer 20:14-18).
Although people may in some circumstances pronounce judgment against themselves because of their suffering, he should not pronounce similar judgment against others who suffer. Instead they should look for ways of giving the sufferers the comfort and strength they need (Mar 1:40-41; Mar 14:34-41; 2Co 1:4).
Whether or not believers understand why they suffer, they need have no doubt that God still loves them and will not leave them. They may have no explanation of Gods purposes, but they can be confident that those purposes do exist and that they are perfect (Rom 8:28; Rom 8:37-39). Once it has passed, suffering may soon be forgotten. From the viewpoint of eternity it will appear brief indeed (Joh 16:21; 2Co 4:17).
Gods provision
Jesus was fully human and lived in the world as other people. Therefore, he too experienced the suffering that is in the world through sin, even though he himself never sinned. Through his experiences he learnt the full meaning of obedience to God in a world of sin and suffering (Heb 2:10; Heb 5:8).
Yet Jesus suffered not only because of the sins of others; he suffered to take away the sins of others. He was so identified with his fellow human beings that Gods judgment on sinful people fell upon him. He died for them (Gal 2:20; 1Pe 2:24).
Consequently, the expression the sufferings of Christ developed the specific meaning of the death of Christ. His death was not an accident, but the divinely ordered way of dealing with sin. In suffering for sin, Christ bore Gods punishment on sin and so made it possible for people to be cleansed from sin and brought back to God (Isa 53:4-5; Isa 53:10; Mat 8:17; Mar 8:31; Heb 2:9; Heb 13:12; 1Pe 1:12; 1Pe 2:21-24; 1Pe 3:18). The sufferings of Christ, as well as bringing cleansing from sin, enable him to understand and help others who suffer (Heb 4:15-16).
When people by faith accept the benefits of Christs death, they become united with Christ. To some extent they must suffer as he suffered. As the ungodly persecuted Jesus, so they will persecute his followers (Joh 15:18; Joh 15:20; Act 14:22; 2Co 1:5; Php 1:29; Php 3:10; 1Pe 2:21; 1Pe 4:13; see PERSECUTION). Such sufferings may test the genuineness of their faith, but may also produce in them greater strength and maturity of character (1Pe 1:6-7; 1Pe 5:10; cf. Heb 2:10; see TESTING). But Jesus sufferings were followed by glory, and those who suffer for his sake can look forward to sharing in that glory (Rom 8:17-18; 1Pe 5:10).
Fuente: Bridgeway Bible Dictionary
Suffering
SUFFERING.Suffering was not a mere accident in the career of Christ. Neither is it so in the life of any of His true followers. It came to Him in the fulfilment of His Divine mission. Just so must it come to all those who are co-workers with Him in the Kingdom of God. Therefore in the NT the sombre background of physical and spiritual suffering is never absent from the thought of the writers. St. Peter, perhaps more than any other, dwells upon it in its doctrinal and practical aspect, but all were profoundly impressed by the significance of Christs sufferings, and endeavoured to interpret the tribulations of His followers in the light of His own varied experiences.
1. Concerning the distressing events in the Masters life, the NT gives us warrant for holding to several conclusions. We misinterpret the meaning of Christs entrance into humanity, if we limit His tribulations merely to the agony of the Passion. The bitter experiences of His last week were typical of the harsh events of His life as a whole. His emptying of Himself (Php 2:7) to become the humble partner of humanity in its struggle against sin and for holiness, was itself the acme of suffering. The Agony in the Garden and the terrors of the death on the Cross were but the last scenes in the drama of His humiliation. Nor must the intensity of His physical sufferings blind us to the reality of the woes of His spirit. With His Divine sensitiveness to selfishness and disobedience and hard-heartedness and unresponsiveness and sin, how poignant must have been the griefs which His sinless soul endured! For this man of sorrows, acquainted with grief (Isa 53:3), every day must have been one of crucifixion. Against Him who came to destroy sin was displayed all the violence of which evil was capable. That He must needs suffer in His effort to accomplish His mission was the inevitable consequence of His Messiahship (Act 26:23, Luk 24:26). But not by His mere sufferings did He redeem humanity. These, in themselves, were not necessary to His office as the anointed One, out were the certain results of the lifework upon which He had entered. Only as He was willing to endure whatever human experiences might come to Him could He reveal the Father and help to turn men to righteousness, by showing them the enormity of sin (Heb 13:12). Against Him were displayed the fearful extremes to which sin would go in its effort to overcome good. But by this high discipline was His own spirit cultured (Heb 5:8); and through His heroic, victorious endurance of sin-imposed suffering did He become our High Priest, able to succour those who are tempted (Heb 2:17-18, Heb 4:15). In this noble sense are the sufferings of Christ central to His gospel, so that St. Peter can justly call himself a witness of the sufferings of Christ (1Pe 5:1).
2. Nor are the followers of Christ to escape the experiences that came to Him (Joh 15:20). See art. Sorrow.
Charles W. Rishell.
Fuente: A Dictionary Of Christ And The Gospels
Suffering
sufer-ing: A great variety of Hebrew and Greek expressions, too large to be here enumerated, have been translated by suffering and other forms derived from the same verb. The most obvious meanings of the word are the following: (1) The commonest meaning perhaps in the English Versions of the Bible is to permit, to allow, to give leave to: Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away (Mar 10:4). (2) To experience, to go through,’ to endure: I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him (Mat 27:19). A woman had suffered many things of many physicians (Mar 5:26). Other common phrases are to suffer affliction (1Th 3:4; Heb 11:25, the Revised Version (British and American) share ill-treatment), to suffer hardship (2Ti 2:9), to suffer adversity (Heb 13:3 the King James Version, the Revised Version (British and American) to be ill-treated), to suffer dishonor (the King James Version shame, Act 5:41), to suffer violence, (Mat 11:12), to suffer wrong (Act 7:24), to suffer terror (Psa 88:15), to suffer shipwreck (2Co 11:25), to suffer hunger (Psa 34:10; Pro 19:15), to suffer thirst (Job 24:11). (3) To put up with, to tolerate: the King James Version, For ye suffer fools gladly (the Revised Version (British and American) ye bear with the foolish gladly), seeing ye yourselves are wise (2Co 11:1, 2Co 11:9). (4) To undergo punishment: Think ye that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans, because they have suffered these things? (Luk 13:2). (5) To sustain loss: If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss (1Co 3:15; also Phi 3:8). (6) To suffer death. Here the clearest references are to the suffering or passion of Christ, which indeed includes the enduring of untold hardships and affliction, all of which culminate in His vicarious death for man (Mat 16:21; Mar 8:31; Mar 9:12; Luk 9:22; Luk 17:25; Luk 22:15; Luk 24:26, Luk 24:46; Act 3:18; Act 17:3; Act 26:23; 1Pe 3:18).
Suffering belongs to the discipline of all Christ’s followers (Rom 8:17; 2Co 1:7; Gal 3:4; Phi 3:10; 1Th 2:2; 2Th 1:5; 2Ti 2:12; 2Ti 3:12; Jam 5:10; 1Pe 2:20 f; 1Pe 3:14, 1Pe 3:17; 1Pe 4:1, 1Pe 4:13, 1Pe 4:16; 1Pe 5:10). Such suffering is called a suffering for God’s or Christ’s sake (Jer 15:15; Act 9:16; Phi 1:29; 2Ti 1:12). This fellowship in suffering unites us with the saints of God in all times (Jam 5:10), and is indeed a fellowship with the Lord Himself (Phi 3:10), who uses this discipline to mold us more and more according to His character.
Fuente: International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Suffering
For Christ:
– General references
Act 9:16; Rom 8:17-23; Rom 8:26; 1Co 4:12-13; 2Co 1:7; 2Co 4:11-18; Phi 1:29; Phi 2:27-30; Phi 3:10; Col 1:24; 2Th 1:4-5; 2Ti 2:12; Jas 5:10; 1Pe 4:13-14; 1Pe 5:10 Afflictions and Adversities; Persecution
Of Christ:
– General references
Luk 24:46-47; Luk 24:26; Joh 6:51; Joh 10:11; Joh 10:15; Joh 11:50-52; Rom 4:25; Rom 5:6-8; Rom 14:15; 1Co 1:17-18; 1Co 1:23-24; 1Co 8:11; 1Co 15:3; 2Co 5:14-15; Gal 1:4; Gal 2:20-21; Eph 5:2; Eph 5:25; 1Th 5:9-10; Heb 2:9-10; Heb 2:14; Heb 2:18; Heb 5:8-9; Heb 9:15-16; Heb 9:28; Heb 10:10; Heb 10:18-20; 1Pe 2:21; 1Pe 2:24; 1Pe 3:18; 1Pe 4:1; 1Jn 3:16 Atonement; Jesus, The Christ, Death of; Jesus, The Christ, Design of His Death; Jesus, The Christ, Sufferings of
Vicarious:
– Vicarious:
Exo 9:13-16; Joh 15:13; Rom 9:3; 1Pe 2:21; 1Jn 3:16 Suffering, Of Christ
Instance of, Goliath for the Philistines
1Sa 17
Fuente: Nave’s Topical Bible
Suffering
is rendered “sufferings” in the RV (AV, “afflictions”) in 2Ti 3:11; Heb 10:32; 1Pe 5:9; in Gal 5:24, “passions,” (AV, “affection”). See AFFLICTION, B, No. 3.
Note: For kakopatheia, Jam 5:10, RV, “suffering,” see AFFLICTION, B, No. 1.