Romans 5:3 - “suffering” (Greek: qliyiV – thlipsis)

• “Suffering” means to undergo an unpleasant experience or trial.

• All suffering in this world, whether the suffering of believers or nonbelievers (or even animals!), ultimately results from the fact that we live in a world that is cursed because of Adam’s Fall.

– Genesis 3:16-19 - To the woman he said, "I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.” To Adam he said, "Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, 'You must not eat of it,' "Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.”

– Romans 8:20-23 - For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the One who subjected it . . . We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

• For the Christian, God uses suffering and trials to serve a special purpose: to build character and perseverance in His people.

– Romans 5:3-4 - Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

• Sometimes the suffering we endure comes as a result of our own foolishness or sinfulness. In such cases, God may either allow us to suffer the direct consequences of our actions, or He may bring about suffering in order to discipline and correct us:

– Hebrews 12:5-11 - Do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

• God also brings suffering into our life that is not the result of our own foolishness. Often such suffering comes from those who see our obedience to God and despise it. Such suffering will bring great blessing from God - for in enduring such suffering, we are following in the footsteps of Christ.

– 1Peter 2:20-23 - But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

– Acts 5:40-41 - [The Jewish leaders] called the apostles [including Peter] in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. The apostles [including Peter] left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.

– Matthew 5:10-12 - Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.