Twenty Biblical Purposes for Suffering

1 Peter 5:10 ¶ But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

1. to make you perfect (mature)
2. to stablish you (set fast or firm)
3. to strengthen you (make you strong)
4. to settle you (get you to the place where you come to rest in Him)

2 Corinthians 1: 4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

5. so that we may comfort others like God has comforted us

2 Corinthians 1: 9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:

6. so that we would trust in God, not ourselves

James 1: 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

7. to teach us patience & maturity

James 1: 12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

8. to receive a crown of life for enduring

James 5: 11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

9. to be an example of patience to others like Job was
10. to experience the pity and tenderness of God's mercy

James 5: 14 Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

11. to allow others the privilege of ministering to us

1 Peter 1: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

12. for praise, honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ

1 Peter 4:1 ¶ Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

13. for purification from sinful lusts
14. to give us a more God centered focus on His will

1 Peter 4:12 ¶ Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ¹s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

15. to be a partaker of Jesus' sufferings

Romans 5: 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

16. to learn patience which gives us proven character (experience)
17. that we might have hope because of God's love in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 5: 8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

18. to teach us obedience

Hebrews 12: 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

19. to confirm to us that we are the Lord's child and He loves us.

Job 5: 17 ¶ Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:
18 For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole.

20. for correction