sufferings – Ministry of Grace Church

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1 Peter 5:9 – Brotherhood of Suffering

Posted on March 7, 2017 by Will

Resist him firmly in the faith, knowing that your brotherhood in the world are undergoing the same sufferings.

Truth to Learn

You are not alone in your suffering for Christ.

Behind the Words

“Resist” is translated from the Greek word anthistēmi, which is a compound word made up of anti, meaning “against” and histēmi, meaning “to stand.” Hence, it literally means “to stand against.” It is expressed here in the imperative mood, indicating a command. It is also expressed as a plural verb, indicating that it is to church members collectively, not individually.

The word “firmly” is from stereos, meaning “firm” or “solid.” Figuratively, it means “strong” or “immovable.” It also carries the idea of compactness. This is an adverb, modifying the verb anthistēmi. Since the verb is expressed in the plural, this implies that Christians are to “close ranks,” put on a solid front of resistance, and stand firm against the Devil.

The expression “are undergoing” is from epiteleō, which is a compound of epi, used as an intensifier and teleō, meaning “to complete.” It is expressed as a present infinitive, implying that the suffering is continually being accomplished throughout the body of Christ.

“Sufferings” is translated from the Greek word pathēma, which means “suffering.” The –ma ending means that this is referring to that which is suffered. In other words, it refers to the feelings you experience as you suffer.

Meaning Explained

Beyond simply being alert and vigilant regarding our opponent the Devil, as we saw in yesterday’s verse, we are to work together with other Christians to resist him firmly.

Joining this part of today’s verse with the previous three, we see that we are to … allow ourselves to be humbled under God’s mighty hand, without worrying, being alert and vigilant regarding our enemy, and when we do encounter our enemy we are to stand firmly against him in the faith. And what happens when we do this?

Therefore be submitted to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)

When we try to stand against the Devil in our own strength, we are certain to fail, but if we stand in the belief that God is with us, and we are humbled under His mighty hand, Satan doesn’t want anything to do with us because he knows that he is certain to fail. Peter then finishes off this verse with a word of encouragement,

knowing that your brotherhood in the world are undergoing the same sufferings.

We always seem to be able to withstand hardships a little easier if we know that we are not being singled out for the pain. Not only does God know what we’re going through (in fact it may be part of His plan), but we are not alone. There are other Christians who are undergoing the same suffering we are now.

Application

Are you feeling the pain and anguish of faithful suffering right now? As a Christian, you know that God is aware of your pain and there are other Christians who are feeling the same pain and anguish as you. Why not take a minute to pray for them!

In God's service, for His glory,

1 Peter 4:13 – Joyful Suffering

Posted on February 14, 2017 by Will

but rejoice to the extent that you share Christ's sufferings, so that you may rejoice at the revelation of His glory, exulting.

Truth to Learn

We should be happy when we suffer as followers of Christ.

Behind the Words

“Rejoice” is from chairō, meaning “to have joy” or “to be well.” It is expressed here in the imperative mood, indicating a command for us to be joyful.

The word “share” is translated from koinōneō, meaning “to have things in common with” or “to participate in.”

“Sufferings” is from the Greek word pathēma, meaning “that which is suffered.”

Meaning Explained

Peter just told us not to be surprised at the fiery trial (the adversity) that is currently happening to us and that we are not to think that such adversities are strange. Here’s what Paul said:

all who determine to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. (2 Timothy 3:12)

Therefore, we shouldn’t think it unusual if we are being persecuted for trying to live godly lives. Instead of thinking it strange, we should rejoice in the midst of our persecution and suffering. Say what?! Are we supposed to be some kind of masochist and get really excited when we encounter pain and suffering? No, that’s not what Peter is saying. He is saying that we should rejoice because we are sharing in Christ’s suffering. Paul said to the Philippians:

to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death (Philippians 3:10)

And we should be willing, yes even desirous, of being identified as one of His, even in our suffering. James also said:

My brothers, consider it all joy when you fall into various trials, (James 1:2)

James even taught us that we will grow from these trials. And keep in mind what our Lord, Himself, told us:

Blessed are you when men shall revile you and persecute you, and shall say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice and leap for joy, for your reward in Heaven is great. For in this way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:11,12)

Any personal relationship is strengthened when both parties in the relationship share common experiences, especially if they are difficult or painful experiences. God wants us to develop a closer relationship with Him, and one of the ways we can do this is by sharing in the suffering of Christ.

Application

If we are suffering because of our godly witness and our testimony as followers of Christ, then we are, in fact, suffering with Him. As a result, we will be glad with exceeding joy when Christ comes back in His glory. We will be glad because He with whom we have suffered, with whom we now have a closer personal relationship, is returning as the conquering King who will receive all the glory He is due! Give Him praise!

In God's service, for His glory,

1 Peter 1:11 – Investigative Effort

Posted on October 11, 2016 by Will

searching what person, or what time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.

Truth to Learn

We need to search and study to know God’s truths.

Behind the Words

The word translated “searching” is ereunaō, a less intensive form of the word translated “searched carefully” in the previous verse. It means “to investigate or explore.”

The initial “what” comes from the Greek expression eis tina, which literally translates to, “unto what,” and may mean either “what time,” or “what person.” The latter seems to be the correct interpretation.

“What time” comes from the Greek poion kairon, which refers not to what exact time these things would occur, but to the time frame, that is the character or condition of the age when these things would take place.

“Testified beforehand” is translated from promarturomai, which is a compound word made up of pro, meaning “before, in place or time” and marturomai, meaning “to witness, testify, or declare.” Hence, this word means “to declare something before it occurs or before it appears.”

The word translated “sufferings” is the Greek word pathēma, which is derived from pathos, meaning “to experience strong emotion, or suffering.” The ending –ma indicates that it refers to that which is suffered.

Meaning Explained

We have already talked about how the prophets looked into their own messages and each others’ prophecies to better understand this thing called salvation. The current verse gives us particular insight into another thing they looked closely at, namely the Savior Himself. These prophets were inquiring about the person, who He would be, what would be His character, and what would be the nature of the work that He would perform. They were also trying to understand when He would come. That is, they wanted to know what would characterize the time of His coming, in the same way that we want to understand the nature of the time when Christ will return again.

The thing that they were most curious about, however, seems to have been the fact that the Messiah would suffer. That the prophesies taught that the Messiah would suffer was clear, but it was difficult to reconcile the sufferings with the descriptions of His glory and triumphs which would follow.

The most significant thing about these verses is not so much that the prophets believed their messages, but that they constantly studied the scriptures to learn more about the God they served!

Application

Do you realize how much information God has made available to us in His Word? There is information about who our God really is, what kind of a relationship He has provided for us (and wants with us), what kind of a future He has prepared for us, and how we can know without a doubt that we are His.

Knowing how much God has made available to us in the Holy Bible, how much time and effort do you put into learning it? No matter how much time we currently spend in God’s word, let’s all commit to spending more time searching the Scriptures.

In God's service, for His glory,