Suffering
Theological Definition
Suffering in Scripture includes hardship, loss, persecution, and the pains of life in a world not yet fully restored. Romans frames suffering within a larger story of future glory and present endurance, without denying the reality of pain. It also portrays God as present and active in weakness, including in prayer.
Key Occurrences in Romans
12rejoicing in hope; enduring in oppression; continuing steadfastly in prayer;
14Bless those who persecute you; bless, and don`t curse.
3Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering works perseverance;
4and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope:
5and hope doesn`t disappoint us, because God`s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which was given to us.
17and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if indeed we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified with him.
18For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed toward us.
18For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed toward us.
19For the creation waits with eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.
20For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but by reason of him who subjected it, in hope
21that the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of decay into the liberty of the glory of the children of God.
22For we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now.
23Not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for adoption, the redemption of our body.
24For we were saved in hope, but hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for that which he sees?
25But if we hope for that which we don`t see, we wait for it with patience.
26In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don`t know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can`t be uttered.
27He who searches the hearts knows what is on the Spirit`s mind, because he makes intercession for the saints according to God.
31What then will we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
32He who didn`t spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how would he not also with him freely give us all things?
33Who could bring a charge against God`s elect? It is God who justifies.
34Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, yes rather, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Could oppression, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36Even as it is written, "For your sake we are killed all day long. We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter."
37No, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
38For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
39nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.