Gospel Suffering and the Apostle Paul
There’s a lot of talk in Christian circles about “suffering.” Within that large circle of discussion there can easily be a muddied distinction between two types of suffering. Here, I want to clarify these two types of suffering and use a couple of examples from the Pauline epistles to address one of those types in particular.
Two Types of Suffering
#1: Suffering as a Result of the Fall
Anyone can look out at the world and quickly determine that things are not the way they should be. There is sickness, death, disaster, and depravity in every corner of the globe. All of us must endure the physical, emotional, and spiritual suffering that fallen nature/humanity produce.
#2: Suffering as a Result of Proclaiming the Gospel (Gospel suffering)
The New Testament witness is clear that those who follow Jesus, proclaiming His great Gospel of good news, will suffer at the hands of unbelievers. Perhaps it will be the loss of jobs, friends, family, or even ones own life. Regardless of the nature of this suffering, notice that the reason for the suffering is the Gospel of Christ.
Gospel Suffering in Paul’s Letter to the Colossians
“Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church.” – Colossians 1:24
This verse has historically been controversial because of an apparent suggestion that Christ’s sufferings were somehow “insufficient” to redeem. We know that Christ’s sacrifice and sufferings were certainly sufficient for salvation, so no matter what we do, we must interpret the verse from that foundational truth. A couple of points here:
- Paul’s word for afflictions, thlipsis, is used nowhere in the New Testament when referring to Christ’s sufferings.
- There does seem to be in Scripture an indication that there is a set “amount” of suffering that the church must endure for Christ (cf. Mark 13, Revelation 6). The affliction to be endured by followers of Christ is the prelude to glory at Christ’s return.
So, here, regardless of your particular interpretation of this verse, I see that Paul sees his physical suffering for the Gospel as part of the Christian life. Moreover, he sees his suffering not simply as something that he endures by himself, but that he endures for the sake of the church.
Also, notice that Paul rejoices in his sufferings. To be honest, not many of us rejoice in our sufferings for Christ. When is the last time you got beaten, stoned (with rocks), or shipwrecked because of your faith and immediately cried out, “Praise God!!! I got to suffer!!!”? Most of us tried to avoid suffering for Jesus and when/if it happens, we cry out “woe is me.” We want pity for our sufferings, but Paul would have none. He praised God for his sufferings, “rejoicing that [he was] counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name” (Acts 5:41).
Gospel Suffering in Paul’s Letter to the Philippians
For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake.” – Philippians 1:29
“…that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.” – Philippians 3:10
What is striking about these verses is Paul’s attitude toward suffering. First, Paul saw physical suffering for the Gospel as a foundational element of the entire redemptive process. God chose us to be saved AND to suffer for Christ. But notice the word Paul uses: “granted.” God “granted” suffering to us. It isn’t a punishment, but rather a gift. Second, when Paul suffered physically, he intimately identified with the sufferings of Jesus Himself. It was in those moments of horrible physical pain that Paul understood just a little bit of what Jesus endured, how the Messiah felt when beaten by the Roman soldiers.
What Should Be Our Attitude Toward Gospel Suffering?
Most Christians today talk about two attitudes we can have toward Gospel suffering. We can either avoid it or accept it.
Avoid Gospel suffering: Don’t preach the Gospel, don’t take the Gospel to foreign/hostile lands. Whatever you do, just stay quiet, keep your faith a secret, and you won’t have to endure suffering for the sake of Christ.
Accept Gospel suffering: Just admit it. You’re going to suffer. It’s not pretty, but it’s reality. Don’t try to run from it. Just preach the Gospel, hang your head, and suffer the consequences.
Sometimes though, zealous believers will come up with a third option for Gospel suffering. We can welcome it.
Welcome Gospel suffering: Realize that you will suffer for Jesus. But that’s okay! Just think about how it will strengthen your faith and bring honor to Christ. Smile. Yeah, you don’t want to suffer, but it’ll be worth it in the end.
Personally, I think all three of those attitudes toward Gospel suffering are incomplete and insufficient. Also, just on a side note, trying to avoid Gospel suffering by not proclaiming the Gospel is tantamount to denying the very person of Christ. If that describes you, I’d be careful. I think there is a fourth attitude toward Gospel suffering, the attitude that we see Paul evidence in Colossians and Philippians. We can champion it.
Champion Gospel suffering: Knowing that suffering is part of God’s plan for His people, and that suffering produces a stronger faith and honor for Christ, and that suffering helps us identify with the sufferings of Christ, champion Gospel suffering!
Paul didn’t just welcome Gospel suffering. He wanted it! Now, I’m not advocating stupidity. Don’t just go to the most dangerous country in the world for Christian missionaries and start walking around in the streets screaming about Jesus. That’s just foolish. But, I think there is a principle in the New Testament of desiring suffering for the Gospel. Considering the benefits, why would we not welcome it? Yes, it will be difficult, but Christ will sustain us.
I don’t know why God has brought the topic of Gospel suffering to my mind so frequently in the last month. Perhaps he has plans for me to suffer in the future. If that is the case, I pray that I will endure it well, honoring my Savior who suffered first for me.
What is your attitude toward Gospel suffering?