Suffer and Live

Romans 8:18 ESV

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

The IVP New Testament Commentary Series: Romans 1. The Theme: Suffering to Glory (8:18)

After talking about the necessity of sharing in Christ’s sufferings as a participation in his glory (v. 17), Paul places the whole issue in perspective. Consider does not mean mere personal opinion but “a firm conviction reached by rational thought on the basis of the Gospel” (Cranfield 1975:408). While suffering is the lot of the Christian, it is present sufferings, which are temporary rather than permanent.

God encourages His children to endure through His word.

Acts 20:32 KJV 1900

32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

1 Peter 5:10 KJV 1900

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.

See also 1 Ch 29:12; Ps 89:20–21; Is 41:10; Is 49:13; Je 29:11; Zec 1:17; Ac 20:32; 1 Pe 5:10

Means by which God encourages His children

Meditation on his law and word

Romans 15:4 KJV 1900

4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

Hebrews 12:5 KJV 1900

5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:

Jos 1:8–9; Ro 15:4

See also Ps 1:1–3; Heb 12:5

Experience of the Holy Spirit

John 14:16–17 KJV 1900

16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

The word used for Spirit here means “Counselor” or “one who encourages or comforts”.

Jn 14:16–17 The word used for Spirit here means “Counsellor” or “one who encourages or comforts”.

See also Ac 9:31; Ro 8:18–27; Php 2:1

Experience of God’s encouragement

2 Corinthians 4:16–18 KJV 1900

16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

See also 1 Sa 30:6; Ps 86:17; Is 52:9; Da 10:18–19; Ac 9:31; Ac 23:11; 2 Co 1:3–4; 2 Ti 4:17; Heb 6:18; Heb 12:5; 1 Pe 1:3

God’s encouragement experienced through the words and actions of others

2 Corinthians 7:4–7 KJV 1900

4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation. 5 For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears. 6 Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus; 7 And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.

Jdg 7:11 Gideon and the dream of the Midianite soldier; 2 Ch 15:8; Ezr 6:22 the returned exiles helped by the king of Assyria; Ac 28:15; 2 Co 7:4; 2 Co 7:13

God commands us to be encouraged

Deuteronomy 31:6 KJV 1900

6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

See also Dt 31:6–8; Jos 1:6–8; Jos 1:18; Jos 10:25; 1 Ch 22:13; 1 Ch 28:20; 2 Ch 19:11; 2 Ch 32:7 King Hezekiah; Ezr 10:4; Ps 27:14; Is 54:2 growth of the nation of Israel after the exile; Mt 14:27

Effects of being encouraged

Isaiah 40:30–31 KJV 1900

30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall: 31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings as eagles; They shall run, and not be weary; And they shall walk, and not faint.

See also Ps 25:3; Ro 15:5; 1 Co 14:3; 2 Co 3:12; Php 2:1–2; Col 2:2; 1 Th 2:11–12

Prayers for encouragement

2 Thessalonians 2:16–17 KJV 1900

16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, 17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

See also Ne 6:9; Ps 119:28; Is 38:14; Ro 15:5–6; Col 1:10–12

One day suffering will be all over

Psalm 30:4–5 KJV 1900

4 Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, And give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. 5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

Revelation 7:13–17 KJV 1900

13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? 14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. 16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. 17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

Romans 8:18 KJV 1900

18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

God is the King of Glory and one day, after we have suffered a while, we will be with Him forever

Psalm 24:7–10 KJV 1900

7 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; And be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; And the King of glory shall come in. 8 Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle. 9 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; Even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; And the King of glory shall come in. 10 Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.