Paul's View of Suffering Can Rock Your World!

Paul suffered continually for His faith (2 Corinthians 11:16-33). 

When he wrote Philippians, he was imprisoned for preaching the gospel. The Philippians were also dealing with persecution, and Paul encouraged them to stand firm in their faith explaining, “It has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him.”

Some false teachers claim God promises health and wealth. Others claim that those who reflect Christ will be popular. Scripture says persecution and suffering are part of true faith and our real rewards are in heaven, not here on earth:

 

1 Timothy 3:12: “Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” 

2 Corinthians 1:5: “For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.”

 

1 Peter 4:13: “Rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”

Paul knew persecution was inevitable for those who love Christ more than they love the world. He saw it as a privilege and understood it brought eternal rewards. 

“I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.”  Philippians 3:10*  ~ Paul 

 

Few of us will suffer like Paul, but will we stand firm and speak truth in a culture that promotes lies and calls biblical truth hateful? 

💙✞💙✞💙✞ 

For more confirmation on this important truth, see When Evil Triumphs, It's Not Because Good People Did Nothing and Truth with Love, Love with Truth.

* The Greek word koinōnian (κοινωνίαν) which is translated “participation” in the NIV means “fellowship, association, community, communion, joint participation, contact.” I especially like the use of the word fellowship because it helps me better understand that Paul wants to share in Christ's sufferings to show his love, belief, and loyalty to Christ.

Check out the Amplified Bible translation of Philippians 3:10  below:

“And this, so that I may know Him [experientially, becoming more thoroughly acquainted with Him, understanding the remarkable wonders of His Person more completely] and [in that same way experience] the power of His resurrection [which overflows and is active in believers], and [that I may share] the fellowship of His sufferings, by being continually conformed [inwardly into His likeness even] to His death [dying as He did];”