Monday: Suffering and Glory
Daily Lesson for Monday 31st of August 2026
Read 2 Corinthians 4:7-18. Make a list of Paul’s sufferings. How did he endure his sufferings?
John Huss, the great reformer of the old Bohemia, once said about Jesus, “He is Master of the world, and we are contemptible mortals—yet He suffered! Why, then, should we not suffer also, particularly when suffering is for us a purification?”—Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 105.
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The apostle Paul manifested centuries earlier the same willingness to suffer for Christ. He knew that he was nothing more than a fragile pot made of clay (2 Corinthians 4:7). He constantly felt hard-pressed, perplexed, persecuted, and struck down, and yet he was not crushed, in despair, forsaken, or destroyed (2 Corinthians 4:8-9). He was willing to carry “in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus” would be manifested in him (2 Corinthians 4:10-11, ESV).
By “death of Jesus,” Paul probably meant the sufferings that he mentioned in the previous verses. In turn, in an immediate sense, the phrase “life of Jesus” likely refers to the deliverances from death or the spiritual power for the present life. But, ultimately, this is a reference to the resurrection (2 Corinthians 4:12).
Interestingly, the phrase “death and life” occurs three times in 2 Corinthians 4:10-12. This is a reminder that, in the present age, life is mingled with death. However, in the future glory, we will experience life in the absence of death (Revelation 20:14, Revelation 21:4).
Most important, 2 Corinthians 4:7-18 shows that the gospel is preached through fragile human beings so that the glory goes to God alone (2 Corinthians 4:15). Not infrequently, missionaries suffer in the course of their missionary work. However, our affliction here is light and momentary when compared to that eternal weight of glory waiting for us (2 Corinthians 4:17). The believer lives by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 4:18, 2 Corinthians 5:7).
This hope in the future life captured the mind of Paul so much that he keeps talking about it in the flow of the passage (2 Corinthians 5:1-10). He refers to his mortal body by the metaphor of an earthly house. Conversely, the “building from God” is a metaphor for the resurrected body (2 Corinthians 5:1), the great hope for believers of all ages.
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Why is it so important that, amid whatever we are going through now, we always keep the hope of the resurrection, our resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:52), before us? |
When I read Paul’s description of his trials and sufferings in the name of Jesus, I feel somewhat inadequate. To be honest, I don’t think I have ever suffered. I have been sick now and then, for sure, and have been inconvenienced a few times because of my beliefs and lifestyle but I would hardly call that suffering. To add to my concern, I sometimes hear comments on this forum that if you truly love Jesus you will suffer. That begs the question: is that a sign that I do not love Jesus enough? We often describe end-time scenes of great persecution and how we should be ready for that time. At the rate I am going I will be dead and buried before that happens and I will miss the refining process that trials and tribulation bring.
Interestingly there is no divine score card that says you have to do so many units of suffering to earn salvation. I take refuge that Christ suffered for us. Take a look at:
Christ suffered for us. That does not guarantee that we will not suffer, but it is his suffering not ours that counts in our salvation.
So where does this leave those of us who feel we have missed out on the suffering bit of Salvation?
Paul writes in another epistle:
It does not really matter whether we endure suffering or enjoy a peaceful and happy life, we should give glory to God. For those of us who have missed out on suffering, have we complacently accepted our good fortune, or have we used it to bring glory to God?
The suffering of Christ, I feel, is a road map. Chris went thru all aspects of suffering. Be it persecution, people not believing who he is. How to respond and react or not react to life if we live it as a Christ centered life.
If we live a Christ centered life, we will go thru trials in different degrees of comparison. Ours is to not worry because christ did it all. I personally do not look forward to persecution that is still set to come. Life is tough as it is at the moment.
I pray my kids dont have to go thru the persecution for Christs sake that is till to come. Everything is still all simple now with laws governing and protecting freedoms.
Amen. I am somewhat like you in terms of suffering (or not suffering). Thank you for the reminder that it is the suffering of Jesus, not my suffering, that provides salvation.
I have felt like you too, Maurice. The reality is that suffering right now does largely depend on where you live in the world. If you live in a country with religious freedom, the suffering you experience for Jesus will never be terribly great (unless you purposely bring it on yourself).
I don’t think it’s productive to analyze how much we suffer. What we need to focus on is developing the depth of a relationship with God that will take us through any suffering that may come. It is easy to think that things will never change. But I feel when they do, they will change very quickly. Like the virgins, only those with the oil will be able to withstand.
I think if we think spiritually, Covid showed us very well how unready we are and the massive divide in the church that it created. Love seemed to disappear somewhere and fear abounded, and so did animosity against each other. We can theorize all we want about the virus, but the matter is that people were very divided which brought out a lot of ungodly things. So yes, we need to fortify our faith because the situation will change quickly, as it was with this virus.
So true, Gabriela. If that was a foretaste of what is to come, we need a deep experience with God, because we will not be able to rely on our church family.
Those who will endure suffering especially these last days will occupy high table with Jesus and holy angels! You whom you haven’t endured persecution and are in heaven will not be in the high table ie closer to Jesus,! , great controversy last chapter.
Our natural reaction towards suffering is frustration, fear, confusion, anxiety and despair, but the Bible says Christ has overcome the world! Suffering comes because sin infected our world, and since then there is nothing in the realm of creation that has escaped its destroying touch. Sin ushered in general suffering in the form of natural disasters and diseases and enemity. The second reason is that suffering is a part of being a follower of Christ. “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed” (1 Pet. 4:12–13). Our suffering, therefore, should not make us forget God’s goodness. Even in the darkest seasons, Christ has overcome the world, and our trials can ultimately become an opportunity for God’s glory to be revealed through our lives.
God allows us to suffer to sanctify and purify us. When earthly pleasures and what we own are stripped out of our lives, it reveals where we have mistakenly placed our hope. Suffering draws us closer to Christ because we don’t have the worldly comforts to rely on. The Lord knows that we have no greater good than to gaze firmly upon Him and not the things of the world. As Paul reminds us, “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” (2 Cor. 4:17). I learn that instead of throwing a pity party for myself, I need to seek the Lord’s glory in seasons of trials and in my suffering, my focus should not only be on what I am going through, but on what God is doing in me and how He can be glorified through my trials.
Suffering is the pathway to glory. Suffering does not produce glory. Glory is obtained through grace, which comes through what Jesus accomplished on the cross. Suffering is the “road” those travelling to glory land must take. Glory is our final destination, and suffering provides the endurance to complete the journey.
“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” (Romans 5:3-5, NLT).
It must be clearly noted that we do not suffer to achieve glory, but we suffer because we belong to Christ. Those who belong to Him must suffer with Him. Glory can only be understood through the cross of Jesus Christ. “If indeed we suffer with him, so that we may also be glorified with him.” (Romans 8:17). May it also be noted that God did not create us to suffer so that He can save us from our suffering. Suffering is an outcome of sin. Therefore, as believers, we should be prepared to suffer because we are caught in the crossfire in the great controversy. Human suffering is part of the collateral damage in the cosmic battle between evil and good. Paul accepts suffering as a little price to pay while travelling to glory land.
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed in us.” ( Romans 8:18).
Suffering and glory are two sides of the same coin. Jesus’s glory was revealed through the cross and resurrection.
“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11).
May we be comforted that when we suffer for Christ’s sake, we are participating in His crucifixion and resurrection and ultimately share His glory.
Jesus, Who was the highest, took the journey to become the lowest, that God could truly feel as one with His creation, and His creation feel as one with Him. That there is no one he cannot identify with, and no one who cannot identify with Him. This is love!
“Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: [7] But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: [8] And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
Philippians 2:6-8 KJV
It may sound controversial that God takes pleasure in our suffering. Yet it is part and parcel of our Christian life on this earth.
When I read Phil.1:28-29
²⁸and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. ²⁹For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in His name, but also to suffer for His sake.
I see the emphasis especially on the second part:“ but also to suffer for His sake“ I.e. because we belong, we share.
Hi people.. suffering. Reading news of financial suffering of north Qld flood victims in early morning.
For all experiencing this …and we have all experienced this…pray for financial rescue for all. Mark Finley has a good comment on this… Christ’s comforting words are like a promissory note.. Jesus said he would return….and you can bank on it. Hope booklet.. chapter..the day after tomorrow.
Reneanne Anderson
Maybe we should be keeping “The Hope” of possibly being “Translated without dying” like, Enoch and Elijah, more than “Dying and then being resurrected?”
What was the ‘suffering’ of Jesus? How did it manifest in His Life? Did He complain, become discouraged, withdrew from exposing Himself to that which caused suffering? No! His true suffering was more than physical. He experienced a profound spiritual sadness for those who were trapped in the clutches of error, so causing God’s Truth to be assaulted by ignorance.
Did He condemn those who persecuted Him, lash out and accuse them for causing Him great discomfort, telling them to stop or else He would destroy them? No! He humbly came to His Father and pleaded with Him to forgive them ‘for they did not know what they were doing’ – Luke 23:34.
I think those Christians going out into the mission field to share their love of God, His Gospel and Jesus His Son and Messenger, will experience their Christianity differently from us who stay at home. Yes, Jesus asked His disciples to feet the multitude’s hungry stomachs, but the true food was His spiritual Message. I am certain that, at times, some Christians sharing God’s Truth will face rejection and scoffing, but this should not change their love of God, His Son and His Message more than anything else in this world.
As we can read in the annals of our Christian faith-history, we live in a hostile world that rejects Christ and kills His believers. But God made a way for us to live in this world without becoming part of it. And this way is called ‘Forgiveness’ and ‘Kindness’. We were given a new heart and mind with which to honor and glorify God by enganging in these virtues – but ‘see to it that you are not deceived’ – Matt.24:4; Luke 21:8.
Paul endured suffering by keeping his eyes on what was eternal rather than what was temporary. In 2 Corinthians 4, he acknowledged being “hard pressed,” persecuted, and even carrying “the death of Jesus” in his body, yet he was not defeated because he trusted God’s sustaining power.
How did Paul cope?
1. He focused on Christ, not his circumstances.
2. He trusted God’s power, knowing that the treasure was in an “earthen vessel” (2 Cor. 4:7).
3. He maintained hope in the resurrection (verse 14).
4. He regarded suffering as temporary compared with the “eternal weight of glory” (verse 17).
5. He looked beyond what is seen to what is unseen (verse 18).
Lessons for us
Our strength does not come from having no troubles, but from knowing who sustains us in the midst of them. We may be pressed, perplexed, persecuted and struck down, but not abandoned or destroyed.
Paul teaches us that when life becomes unbearable, don’t measure God by the size of your suffering; measure your suffering against the greatness of God’s promises.
What a tragedy when someone loses hope (Proverbs 17:22). Without hope, there is no future (Hebrews 6:19). The relationship with Deity brings not only knowledge (2 Peter 3:18) but also growth, maturity, and, at last, hope (Romans 5:3-5). Hope is the future turned into good things (Jeremiah 29:11). Eternal life can be one of them (Titus 1:2).
Suffering in Paul’s time is different from what happens today maybe in some areas of the world there might be persecution but my point is because we live in a sinful world, there are all kinds of hardship around us: relationships, at work, at work character building suffering for the glory of God. Refusing bribes and getting hated and being seen as weird or standing against abortion. Or just being a person that turns the other cheek and doesn’t fight. But yeah the fight is not for flesh but spiritual warfare.
“The phrase ‘life of Jesus’ likely refers to the deliverances from death or the spiritual power for the present life.”
This phrase in today’s study touched my heart dearly. It shows how our salvation has been working in us in the present time. It is how He sets us free from our sinful (dead) lives not just at the resurrection but here and now.
The hope of the resurrection gives the Christian the strength to endure what would otherwise be unbearable. Because the resurrection is certain, our present struggles are not meaningless and our sacrifices are not in vain. We can endure rejection, disappointment, suffering, persecution, loss, and even death because death does not have the final word.
The Christian endurance is ultimately resurrection-centered. We don’t endure because suffering itself is good, nor because we are naturally strong. We endure because Christ has conquered death and has promised that those who belong to Him will live again.
So the Christian can say: “I may not understand what I am going through. I may become weary. I may even weep. But I will not give up, because this life is not the end—and my labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
2 Corinthians 4:8-18.
Have you been hard pressed on every side, perplexed, facing dangerous things, even vipers, persecuted and feeling age related suffering from walking so much. Paul did and told us what He was doing about it to encourage us, and in hopes that his diligence would rub onto us?
He persevered, relied on God through Jesus Christ, and kept his eyes on the goal, with mind on things eternal, without becoming so heavenly that he was of no earthly value. Take a look especially at 2 Corinthians 4:18, there Paul implied that earth is not his home, he was just a passing through. May that be our prayer also, it can be and we can still be of earthly value to our Heavenly Father. To God be the glory of the things He has done for me and all. Thanks be to God, praise, honor, and adoration to Him.
Main Idea: God uses weak people to do great work, so that all the glory goes to Him. Even when we suffer, we can endure because we have a future hope.
1. Paul says we are like clay pots
We are fragile and weak, but God puts His treasure (the gospel) inside us.
2. Paul’s sufferings:
– Hard-pressed (pressured from all sides)
– Perplexed (confused, don’t know what to do)
– Persecuted (attacked for his faith)
– Struck down (knocked down by problems)
But he did NOT give up:
– Not crushed
– Not in despair
– Not forsaken by God
– Not destroyed
He survived because God was sustaining him.
3. What “death and life of Jesus” means:
Paul suffered like Jesus suffered. But in that same suffering, people could see the power and life of Jesus keeping him alive. For now, life and death are mixed together. In the future, there will be only life, no death.
4. Why we can endure:
– Our suffering now is light and short*l compared to the eternal glory waiting for us in heaven.
– We live by faith, not by sight. We don’t see heaven now, but we believe it.
Paul compares our current body to a temporary earthly house, and our resurrected body to a permanent house from God. That is our hope.
Bottom line: Don’t focus only on your pain today. Keep your eyes on the resurrection. That hope is what helps us keep going.