Ministry of Grace Church

My brothers take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering affliction and of patience.

Truth to Learn

The prophets suffered terribly but patiently and did so for God’s glory.

 

Behind the Words

“Example” is translated from hupodeigma, which is made up of hupo (or hypo), meaning “under” and a form of deiknuō, meaning “to show.” Hence, this word means “to show under” or “to set before the eyes” or “to make an example of.”

The word translated “suffering affliction” is the Greek word kakopatheia, which is made up of kakos, meaning “evil” or “bad” and a form of pathos, meaning “passion, extreme emotion, or strong feelings.” Hence, kakopatheia refers to “the extreme suffering resulting from affliction.”

 

Meaning Explained

James has just told us that not only do we need to be patient, but we need to do so quietly and without murmuring against our brothers.

I can hear you now, “But you don’t realize what kind of hardship I have to endure right now. Surely, if God really loved me He wouldn’t make me go through this!”

Once again James, in his simple practical way, gives us an example of what he’s talking about. We need to learn to be patient like the prophets who spoke in the name of Jehovah. Even these prophets did not understand what this salvation was all about which they were preaching, as it says in 1 Peter,

Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, made careful searches and inquiries, seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. To whom it was revealed that they were not serving themselves, but you … (1 Peter 1:10-12)

And what kind of suffering did they go through?

And others received trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, and even of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they went about in sheepskins and goatskins; being in need, being afflicted, being ill-treated; (of whom the world was not worthy:) wandering in deserts, and in mountains, and in caves in the holes of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, did not receive the promise… (Hebrews 11:36-39)

These prophets didn’t always know why they were suffering, but they were ready and willing to do so for the glory of God!

 

Application

Have you suffered like that for God? Are you willing to? Let’s take our eyes off other people now and look to the Lamb of God who was slain to set us free. Have we suffered like He did? My friends, if you are suffering for God right now and trying to be patient, I pray for you. Not that God would take the suffering away from you, not that He would answer your prayers quickly, but that He would produce in you Christ-like obedience and patience and that He would be glorified through your suffering!