Some of What the Bible Says About Suffering, Trouble, and Tribulation

(compiled from the Amplified Bible and grouped & formatted by Bill Stevenson)

Note: The more reasoning you do in determining the reasons for the logical ordering, grouping, and
formatting, the more you will be blessed.

Health-related
John 5:5-9
“There was a certain man there who had suffered
with a deep-seated {and} lingering disorder for thirty-eight years.
When Jesus noticed him lying there [helpless],
knowing that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him,
‘Do you want to become well?’
The invalid answered, ‘Sir, I have nobody when the water is moving to put me into the pool;
but while I am trying to come [into it] myself, somebody else steps down ahead of me.’
Jesus said to him, ‘Get up! Pick up your bed (sleeping pad) and walk!’
Instantly the man became well {and} recovered his strength and picked up his bed and walked.
But that happened on the Sabbath.”

Matthew 9:20
“And behold, a woman who had suffered from a flow of blood for twelve years
came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His garment;”
Luke 8:43
“And a woman who had suffered from a flow of blood for twelve years
{and had spent all her living upon physicians},
and could not be healed by anyone,”
Mark 5:26
“And who had endured much suffering under [the hands of] many physicians
and had spent all that she had,
and was no better but instead grew worse.”

Matthew 17:15
“Lord, do pity {and} have mercy on my son, for he has epilepsy (is moonstruck)
and he suffers terribly; for frequently he falls into the fire and many times into the water.”

Luke 4:38
“Then He arose and left the synagogue and went into Simon's (Peter's) house.
Now Simon's mother-in-law was suffering in the grip of a burning fever,
and they pleaded with Him for her.”

Acts 8:7
“For foul spirits came out of many who were possessed by them,
screaming {and} shouting with a loud voice,
and many who were suffering from palsy or were crippled
were restored to health.”

Protected from
Acts 28:3-6
“Now Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and he was laying them on the fire
when a viper crawled out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand.
When the natives saw the little animal hanging from his hand, they said to one another,
‘Doubtless this man is a murderer, for though he has been saved from the sea,
Justice [the goddess of avenging] has not permitted that he should live’.

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 Then [Paul simply] shook off the small creature into the fire and suffered no evil effects.
However, they were waiting, expecting him to swell up or suddenly drop dead;
but when they had watched him a long time and saw nothing fatal {or} harmful come to him,
they changed their minds and kept saying over and over that he was a god.”

Of Jesus Christ
Acts 3:18
“Thus has God fulfilled what He foretold by the mouth of all the prophets,
that His Christ (the Messiah) should undergo ill treatment {and} be afflicted {and} suffer.”

John 5:15-16
“15 The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus Who had made him well.
16 For this reason the Jews began to persecute (annoy, torment) Jesus {and sought to kill Him,}
because He was doing these things on the Sabbath.”

John 15:20
Jesus Christ said,
“Remember that I told you,
‘A servant is not greater than his master [is not superior to him].
If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you;
if they kept My word {and} obeyed My teachings, they will also keep {and} obey yours.”

Acts 17:1-3
“Now after [Paul and Silas] had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia,
they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews.
And Paul entered, as he usually did,
and for three Sabbaths he reasoned {and} argued with them from the Scriptures,
explaining [them]
{and} [quoting passages] setting forth {and} proving
that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead,
and saying, ‘This Jesus, Whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ (the Messiah).’”

Mark 9:12
“And He said to them, ‘Elijah, it is true, does come first to restore all things {and} set them to rights.
And how is it written of The Son Of Man that He will suffer many things
{and} be utterly despised {and} be treated with contempt {and} rejected?’”

Matthew 17:12
“But I tell you that Elijah has come already,
and they did not know {or} recognize him, but did to him as they liked.
So also The Son Of Man is going to be treated {and} suffer at their hands.”

Luke 17:25
“But first He must suffer many things
and be disapproved {and} repudiated {and} rejected by this age {and} generation.”

Acts 26:22-23
“‘[But] to this day I have had the help which comes from God [as my ally],
and so I [the Apostle Paul] stand here testifying to small and great alike,
asserting nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses declared would come to pass—
that the Christ (the Anointed One) must suffer and that He,
by being the first to rise from the dead,
would declare {and} show light both to the [Jewish] people and to the Gentiles.’”

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Luke 9:22
“Saying, The Son Of Man must suffer many things
and be [deliberately] disapproved {and} repudiated {and} rejected
on the part of the elders and chief priests and scribes,
and be put to death and on the third day be raised [again].”

Mark 8:31
“And He began to teach them that The Son Of Man must of necessity suffer many things
and be tested {and} disapproved {and} rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes,
and be put to death, and after three days rise again [from death].”

Matthew 16:21
“From that time forth Jesus began [clearly] to show His disciples
that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things
at the hands of the elders and the high priests and scribes,
and be killed, and on the third day be raised from death.”

Luke 23:39:41
“One of the criminals who was suspended kept up a railing at Him, saying,
‘Are You not the Christ (the Messiah)? Rescue Yourself and us [from death]!’
But the other one rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not even fear God,
seeing you yourself are under the same sentence of condemnation {and} suffering the same penalty?
And we indeed suffer it justly, receiving the due reward of our actions;
but this Man has done nothing out of the way.’”

Luke 24:26
“Was it not necessary {and} essentially fitting
that the Christ (the Messiah) should suffer all these things
before entering into His glory (His majesty and splendor)?”

Luke 24:46
“And said to them [the two disciples traveling to Emmaus],
‘Thus it is written that the Christ (the Messiah) should suffer
and on the third day rise from (among) the dead,’”

Hebrews 2:9-10
“But we are able to see Jesus, Who was ranked lower than the angels for a little while,
crowned with glory and honor because of His having suffered death,
in order that by the grace (unmerited favor) of God [to us sinners]
He might experience death for every individual person.
For it was an act worthy [of God] {and} fitting [to the divine nature] that He,
for Whose sake and by Whom all things have their existence,
in bringing many sons into glory,
should make the Pioneer of their salvation perfect
[should bring to maturity the human experience
necessary to be perfectly equipped for His office as High Priest]
through suffering.”

Hebrews 2:18
“For because He Himself [in His humanity] has suffered in being tempted (tested and tried),
He is able [immediately] to run to the cry of (assist, relieve) those
who are being tempted {and} tested {and} tried
[and who therefore are being exposed to suffering].”

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Hebrews 5:8
“Although He was a Son,
He learned [active, special] obedience
through what He suffered.”

Hebrews 13:12
“Therefore Jesus also suffered {and} died outside the [city's] gate
in order that He might purify {and} consecrate the people
through [the shedding of] His own blood
{and} set them apart as holy [for God].”

Mark 15:34
“And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice,
‘Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?--
which means, ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me
[deserting Me and leaving Me helpless and abandoned]?”

1 Peter 2:21-24
“For even to this were you called [it is inseparable from your vocation],
for Christ also suffered for you, leaving you [His personal] example,
so that you should follow in His footsteps.
He was guilty of no sin,
neither was deceit (guile) ever found on His lips.
When He was reviled {and} insulted,
He did not revile {or} offer insult in return.
[When] He was abused {and} suffered,
He made no threats [of vengeance];
but he trusted [Himself and everything] to Him Who judges fairly.
He personally bore our sins in His [own] body on the tree
[as on an altar and offered Himself on it],
that we might die (cease to exist) to sin and live to righteousness.
By His wounds you have been healed.”

1 Peter 5:1
“I warn {and} counsel the elders among you (the pastors and spiritual guides of the church)
as a fellow elder
and as an eyewitness [called to testify] of the sufferings of Christ,
as well as a sharer in the glory (the honor and splendor) that is to be revealed (disclosed, unfolded):”

2 Peter 3:9
“The Lord does not delay {and} is not tardy {or} slow about what He promises,
according to some people's conception of slowness,
but He is long-suffering (extraordinarily patient) toward you,
not desiring that any should perish,
but that all should turn to repentance.”

2 Peter 3:15-16a
“And consider that the long-suffering of our Lord
[His slowness in avenging wrongs and judging the world]
is salvation (that which is conducive to the soul's safety),
even as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you
according to the spiritual insight given him,
speaking of this as he does in all of his letters.

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Of God the Father
Romans 2:4
“Or are you [so blind as to] trifle with {and} presume upon {and} despise {and} underestimate
the wealth of His kindness and forbearance and long-suffering patience?
Are you unmindful {or} actually ignorant [of the fact]
that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repent
(to change your mind and inner man to accept His will)?”

Against Old Testament believers

Matthew 5:12
Jesus Christ said,
“Be glad {and} supremely joyful, for your reward in Heaven is great (strong and intense),
for in this same way
people persecuted the prophets who were before you.” [2 Chronicles 36:16]”

James 5:10-11
“[As] an example of suffering and ill-treatment together with patience, brethren,
take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord [as His messengers].
You know how we call those blessed (happy) who were steadfast [who endured].
You have heard of the endurance of Job,
and you have seen the Lord's [purpose and how He richly blessed him in the] end,
inasmuch as the Lord is full of pity {and} compassion {and} tenderness and mercy.”

Hebrews 11:35b-40
“Others were tortured to death with clubs,
refusing to accept release [offered on the terms of denying their faith],
so that they might be resurrected to a better life.
Others had to suffer the trial of mocking and scourging
and even chains and imprisonment.
They were stoned to death; they were lured with tempting offers [to renounce their faith];
they were sawn asunder; they were slaughtered by the sword;
Others had to wander wrapped in the skins of sheep and goats,
utterly destitute, oppressed, cruelly treated--
[men and women] of whom the world was not worthy—
roaming over the desolate places and the mountains,
and [living] in caves {and} caverns and holes of the earth.
And all of these, though they won divine approval by [means of] their faith,
did not receive the fulfillment of what was promised,
because God had us in mind {and} had something better {and} greater in view for us,
so that they [these heroes and heroines of faith] should not come to perfection
apart from us [before we could join them].”

1 Peter 1:10-11
“The prophets, who prophesied of the grace (divine blessing) which was intended for you,
searched and inquired earnestly about this Salvation.
They sought [to find out] to whom or when this was to come
which the Spirit of Christ working within them was indicating
when He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that should follow [them].”

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Acts 7:51-54
“‘You stubborn {and} stiff-necked people, still heathen {and} uncircumcised in heart and ears,
you are always actively resisting the Holy Spirit.
As your forefathers [were], so you [are and so you do]!
Which of the prophets did your forefathers not persecute?
And they slew those who proclaimed beforehand the coming of the Righteous One,
Whom you now have betrayed and murdered--
you who received the Law as it was ordained {and} set in order
{and} delivered by angels, and [yet] you did not obey it!’
Now upon hearing these things, they [the Jews] were cut to the heart {and} infuriated,
and they ground their teeth against [Stephen].”

Against Christians
Matthew 23:34
Jesus Christ said after speaking strongly to some of the Jewish spiritual leaders,
“Because of this, take notice: I am sending you
prophets and wise men (interpreters and teachers) and scribes
(men learned in the Mosaic Law and the Prophets);
some of them you will kill, even crucify,
and some you will flog in your synagogues and pursue {and} persecute from town to town,”

Luke 11:45-51
“One of the experts in the [Mosaic] Law answered Him [Jesus Christ],
‘Teacher, in saying this, You reproach {and} outrage {and} affront even us!’
But He said,
‘Woe to you, the lawyers, also!
For you load men with oppressive burdens hard to bear,
and you do not personally [even gently] touch the burdens with one of your fingers.
Woe to you! For you are rebuilding {and} repairing the tombs of the prophets,
whom your fathers killed (destroyed).
So you bear witness and give your full approval {and} consent
to the deeds of your fathers; for they actually killed them,
and you rebuild {and} repair monuments to them.
For this reason also the wisdom of God said,
“I will send them prophets and apostles,
[some] of whom they will put to death and persecute,” [Matthew 23:34]
so that the blood of all the prophets shed from the foundation of the world
may be charged against {and} required of this age {and} generation,
from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah,
who was slain between the altar and the sanctuary.
Yes, I tell you, it shall be charged against {and} required of this age {and} generation.’”

Matthew 10:23
Jesus Christ said to His close Disciples,
“When they persecute you in one town
[that is, pursue you in a manner that would injure you
and cause you to suffer because of your belief],
flee to another town; for truly I tell you,
you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before The Son Of Man comes.”

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Luke 21:12-20
Jesus Christ said to His close Disciples,
“But previous to all this, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you,
turning you over to the synagogues and prisons,
and you will be led away before kings and governors
for My name's sake.
This will be a time (an opportunity) for you to bear testimony.
Resolve {and} settle it in your minds not to meditate
{and} prepare beforehand how you are to make your defense
{and} how you will answer.
For I [Myself] will give you a mouth {and} such utterance and wisdom
that all of your foes combined will be unable to stand against or refute.
You will be delivered up {and} betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends,
and [some] of you they will put to death.
And you will be hated (despised) by everyone because [you bear] My name {and} for its sake.
But not a hair of your head shall perish. [I Samuel 14:45.]
By your steadfastness {and} patient endurance
you shall win the true life of your souls.
But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies,
then know {and} understand that its desolation has come near.”

Acts 7:54-8:3
“Now upon hearing these things, they [the Jews] were cut to the heart {and} infuriated,
and they ground their teeth against [Stephen].
But he, full of the Holy Spirit {and} controlled by Him,
gazed into heaven and saw the glory (the splendor and majesty) of God,
and Jesus standing at God's right hand;
and he said,
‘Look! I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at God's right hand!’
But they raised a great shout and put their hands over their ears and rushed together upon him.
Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him,
and the witnesses placed their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.
And while they were stoning Stephen, he prayed,
‘Lord Jesus, receive {and} accept {and} welcome my spirit!’
And falling on his knees, he cried out loudly,
‘Lord, fix not this sin upon them [lay it not to their charge]!’
And when he had said this, he fell asleep [in death].
And Saul was [not only] consenting to [Stephen's] death [he was pleased and entirely approving].
On that day great {and} severe persecution broke out against the church which was in Jerusalem;
and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria,
except the apostles (special messengers).
[A party of] devout men with others helped to carry out {and} bury Stephen
and made great lamentation over him.
But Saul shamefully treated {and} laid waste the church continuously [with cruelty and violence]:
and entering house after house,
he dragged out men and women and committed them to prison.”

Acts 22:4-7
Apostle Paul to the Jerusalem Council,
“[Yes] I harassed (troubled, molested, and persecuted) this Way [of the Lord] to the death,
putting in chains and committing to prison both men and women,
as the high priest and whole council of elders (Sanhedrin) can testify,
for from them indeed I received letters
with which I was on my way to the brethren in Damascus
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 in order to take also those [believers] who were there,
and bring them in chains to Jerusalem that they might be punished.
But as I was on my journey and approached Damascus,
about noon a great blaze of light flashed suddenly from heaven and shone about me.
And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me,
‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me [harass and trouble and molest Me]?’”
He said similar to King Agrippa in Acts 26:11-15.

Acts 5:41
“So they [Peter and John] went out from the presence of the council (Sanhedrin),
rejoicing that they were being counted worthy [dignified by the indignity] to suffer shame
{and} be exposed to disgrace for [the sake of] His name.”

Acts 9:13-16
“But Ananias answered,
‘Lord, I have heard many people tell about this man,
especially how much evil {and} what great suffering
he has brought on Your saints at Jerusalem;’”
Now he is here and has authority from the high priests
to put in chains all who call upon Your name.’
But the Lord said to him,
‘Go, for this man is a chosen instrument of Mine
to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the descendants of Israel;
For I will make clear to him
how much he will be afflicted {and} must endure {and} suffer for My name's sake.’”

Galatians 1:13 & 22-23

“13 You have heard of my earlier career {and} former manner of life in the Jewish religion (Judaism),
how I persecuted {and} abused the church of God furiously {and} extensively,
and [with fanatical zeal did my best] to make havoc of it {and} destroy it.
22 And so far I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Christ in Judea
(the country surrounding Jerusalem).
23 They were only hearing it said,
‘He who used to persecute us is now proclaiming the very faith
he once reviled {and} which he set out to ruin {and} tried with all his might to destroy.”

1 Timothy 1:12-16
“I give thanks to Him Who has granted me [the needed] strength {and} made me able [for this],
Christ Jesus our Lord, because He has judged {and} counted me faithful {and} trustworthy,
appointing me to [this stewardship of] the ministry.
Though I formerly blasphemed and persecuted
and was shamefully {and} outrageously {and} aggressively insulting [to Him],
nevertheless, I obtained mercy because I had acted out of ignorance in unbelief.
And the grace (unmerited favor and blessing) of our Lord [actually]
flowed out superabundantly {and} beyond measure for me,
accompanied by faith and love that are [to be realized] in Christ Jesus.
But I obtained mercy for the reason that in me, as the foremost [of sinners],
Jesus Christ might show forth {and} display all His perfect long-suffering {and} patience
for an example to [encourage] those who would thereafter believe on Him
for [the gaining of] eternal life.”

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2 Corinthians 1:3-7
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of sympathy (pity and mercy)
and the God [Who is the Source] of every comfort (consolation and encouragement),
Who comforts (consoles and encourages) us in every trouble (calamity and affliction),
so that we may also be able to comfort (console and encourage)
those who are in any kind of trouble {or} distress,
with the comfort (consolation and encouragement)
with which we ourselves are comforted (consoled and encouraged) by God.
For just as Christ's [own] sufferings fall to our lot abundantly
[as they overflow upon His disciples, and we share and experience them],
so through Christ comfort is also [shared and experienced] abundantly by us.
But if we are troubled (afflicted and distressed),
it is for your comfort (consolation and encouragement) and [for your] salvation;
and if we are comforted (consoled and encouraged),
it is for your comfort (consolation and encouragement),
which works [in you] when you patiently endure
the same evils (misfortunes and calamities) that we also suffer {and} undergo.
And our hope for you [our joyful and confident expectation of good for you]
is ever unwavering (assured and unshaken);
for we know that just as you share {and} are partners in [our] sufferings {and} calamities,
you also share {and} are partners in [our] comfort (consolation and encouragement).”

1 Thessalonians 3:4
“For even when we were with you, [you know] we warned you plainly beforehand
that we were to be pressed with difficulties
{and} made to suffer affliction,
just as to your own knowledge it has [since] happened.”

2 Corinthians 4:8-10
“We are hedged in (pressed) on every side [troubled and oppressed in every way],
but not cramped {or} crushed;
we suffer embarrassments {and} are perplexed {and} unable to find a way out,
but not driven to despair;
we are pursued (persecuted and hard driven),
but not deserted [to stand alone];
we are struck down to the ground,
but never struck out {and} destroyed;
always carrying about in the body the liability {and} exposure
to the same putting to death that {the Lord} Jesus suffered,
so that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be shown forth by {and} in our bodies.”

2 Corinthians 6:4-10
“But we commend ourselves in every way as [true] servants of God:
through great endurance,
in tribulation {and} suffering, in hardships {and} privations, in sore straits {and} calamities,
in beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless watching, hunger;
by innocence {and} purity, knowledge {and} spiritual insight, longsuffering {and} patience,
kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in unfeigned love;
by [speaking] the word of truth in the power of God,
with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand [to attack] and for the left hand [to defend];
as unknown {and} ignored [by the world],
and [yet we are] well-known {and} recognized [by God and His people];
as dying, and yet here we are alive;
as chastened by suffering and [yet] not killed;
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 as grieved {and} mourning, yet [we are] always rejoicing;
as poor [ourselves, yet] bestowing riches on many;
as having nothing, and [yet in reality] possessing all things.”

Philippians 3:10-11
“[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him
[that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him,
perceiving and recognizing and understanding
the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly],
and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection,
and that I may so share His sufferings
as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death,
that if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection
[that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body].”

2 Timothy 1:8-12
“Do not blush {or} be ashamed then, to testify to {and} for our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for His sake,
but [with me] take your share of the suffering [due to preaching] of the Gospel in the power of God,
[for it is He] Who delivered {and} saved us and called us with a calling
in itself holy {and} leading to holiness [to a life of consecration, a vocation of holiness];
[He did it] not because of anything of merit that we have done,
but because of {and} to further His own purpose and grace (unmerited favor)
which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
which He now has made known {and} has fully disclosed
{and} made real [to us] through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus,
Who annulled death {and} made it of no effect
and brought life and immortality (immunity from eternal death)
for [the proclaiming of] this [Gospel]
I was appointed a herald (preacher)
and an apostle (special messenger)
and a teacher {of the Gentiles.}
And this is why I am suffering as I do.
Still I am not ashamed, for I know Him
Whom I have believed
(adhered to and trusted in and relied on),
and I am [positively] persuaded
that He is able to guard {and} keep
that which has been entrusted to me
{and} which I have committed [to Him]
until that Day.”

2 Timothy 2:9
“For that [Gospel] I am suffering affliction {and} even wearing chains like a criminal.
But the Word of God is not chained {or} imprisoned!”

1 Corinthians 4:12-13
“And we still toil unto weariness [for our living], working hard with our own hands.
When men revile us [wound us with an accursed sting],
we bless them.
When we are persecuted,
we take it patiently {and} endure it.
When we are slandered {and} defamed,
we [try to] answer softly {and} bring comfort.
We have been made and are now the rubbish {and} filth of the world.”
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2 Corinthians 4:8-12
“We are hedged in (pressed) on every side [troubled and oppressed in every way],
but not cramped {or} crushed;
we suffer embarrassments {and} are perplexed {and} unable to find a way out,
but not driven to despair;
we are pursued (persecuted and hard driven),
but not deserted [to stand alone];
we are struck down to the ground,
but never struck out {and} destroyed;
always carrying about in the body the liability {and} exposure
to the same putting to death that {the Lord} Jesus suffered,
so that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be shown forth by {and} in our bodies.
For we who live are constantly [experiencing] being handed over to death for Jesus' sake,
that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be evidenced
through our flesh which is liable to death.
Thus death is actively at work in us,
but [it is in order that our] life [may be actively at work] in you.”

Colossians 1:24
“[Even] now I rejoice in the midst of my sufferings on your behalf.
And in my own person I am making up whatever is still lacking
{and} remains to be completed [on our part] of Christ's afflictions,
for the sake of His body, which is the church.”

1 Thessalonians 2:2
“But though we had already suffered and been outrageously treated at Philippi, as you know,
yet in [the strength of] our God we summoned courage to proclaim to you
unfalteringly the good news (the Gospel)
with earnest contention {and} much conflict {and} great opposition.”

Acts 20:22-23
“And now, you see, I am going to Jerusalem, bound by the [Holy] Spirit
{and} obligated {and} compelled by the [convictions of my own] spirit,
not knowing what will befall me there-
Except that the Holy Spirit clearly {and} emphatically affirms to me in city after city
that imprisonment and suffering await me.”

Romans 8:17-18
“And if we are [His] children, then we are [His] heirs also:
heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His inheritance with Him];
only we must share His suffering if we are to share His glory.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time (this present life)
are not worth being compared with the glory
that is about to be revealed to us {and} in us {and} for us {and} conferred on us!”

1 Thessalonians 2:14-16
“For you, brethren, became imitators of the assemblies of God in Christ Jesus which are in Judea,
for you too have suffered the same kind of treatment from your own fellow countrymen
as they did [who were persecuted at the hands] of the Jews,
who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and harassed {and} drove us out,
and continue to make themselves hateful {and} offensive to God

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 and to show themselves foes of all men,
forbidding {and} hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles (the nations)
that they may be saved.
So as always they fill up [to the brim the measure of] their sins.
But God's wrath has come upon them at last [completely and forever]!”

Romans 8:35
“Who shall ever separate us from Christ's love?
Shall suffering {and} affliction {and} tribulation?
Or calamity {and} distress?
Or persecution or hunger or destitution or peril or sword?”

Acts 14:21-22
“When they [Paul and Barnabas] had preached the good news (Gospel) to that town
and made disciples of many of the people,
they went back to Lystra and Iconium and Antioch,
establishing {and} strengthening the souls {and} the hearts of the disciples,
urging {and} warning {and} encouraging them to stand firm in the faith,
and [telling them] that it is through many hardships {and} tribulations
we must enter the Kingdom of God.”

Romans 5:3
“Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult {and} triumph in our troubles
{and} rejoice in our sufferings,
knowing that pressure {and} affliction {and} hardship
produce patient {and} unswerving endurance.”

Matthew 5:10-11 & 44-45

Jesus Christ said,
“Blessed {and} happy {and} enviably fortunate {and} spiritually prosperous
(in the state in which the born-again child of God enjoys and finds satisfaction in God's favor
and salvation, regardless of his or her outward conditions)
are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake (for being and doing right),
for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven!
Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous--
with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of your outward conditions)
are you when people
revile you and persecute you
and say all kinds of evil things against you falsely
on My account.
You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy;
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
to show that you are the children of your Father Who is in Heaven;
for He makes His sun rise on the wicked and on the good,
and makes the rain fall upon the upright and the wrongdoers [alike].”

Romans 12:14
The Apostle Paul said,
“Bless those who persecute you [who are cruel in their attitude toward you];
bless and do not curse them.”

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Romans 12:12
“Rejoice {and} exult in hope;
be steadfast and patient in suffering {and} tribulation;
be constant in prayer.”

1 Peter 5:8-10
“Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind),
be vigilant {and} cautious at all times;
for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger],
seeking someone to seize upon {and} devour.
Withstand him; be firm in faith
[against his onset-- rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined],
knowing that the same (identical) sufferings are appointed
to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world.
And after you have suffered a little while,
the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor],
Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ {Jesus,}
will Himself complete {and} make you what you ought to be,
establish {and} ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you.”

Philippians 1:29
“For you have been granted [the privilege] for Christ's sake
not only to believe in (adhere to, rely on, and trust in) Him,
but also to suffer in His behalf.”

1 Corinthians 6:7
“Why, the very fact of your having lawsuits with one another at all is a defect
(a defeat, an evidence of positive moral loss for you).
Why not rather let yourselves suffer wrong {and} be deprived of what is your due?
Why not rather be cheated (defrauded and robbed)?”

2 Timothy 2:24
“And the servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome (fighting and contending).
Instead, he must be kindly to everyone {and} mild-tempered [preserving the bond of peace];
he must be a skilled {and} suitable teacher, patient {and} forbearing
{and} willing to suffer wrong.”

1 Peter 2:18-23
“[You who are] household servants, be submissive to your masters with all [proper] respect,
not only to those who are kind and considerate {and} reasonable,
but also to those who are surly (overbearing, unjust, and crooked).
For one is regarded favorably if, as in the sight of God,
he endures the pain of unjust suffering.
[After all] what kind of glory [is there in it] if, when you do wrong and are punished for it,
you take it patiently?
But if you bear patiently with suffering after you do right {and} that is undeserved,
it is acceptable {and} pleasing to God.

1 Peter 3:14-17
“But even in case you should suffer for the sake of righteousness,
[you are] blessed (happy, to be envied).
Do not dread {or} be afraid of their threats,
nor be disturbed [by their opposition].
But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy [and acknowledge Him] as Lord.
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 Always be ready to give a logical defense
to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you,
but do it courteously and respectfully.
[And see to it that] your conscience is entirely clear (unimpaired),
so that, when you are falsely accused as evildoers,
those who threaten you abusively {and} revile your right behavior in Christ
may come to be ashamed [of slandering your good lives].
For [it is] better to suffer [unjustly] for doing right, if that should be God's will,
than to suffer [justly] for doing wrong. ”

2 Corinthians 7: 4-5 & 9-12

“I have great boldness {and} free {and} fearless confidence {and} cheerful courage toward you;
my pride in you is great. I am filled [brimful] with the comfort [of it];
with all our tribulation
{and} in spite of it, [I am filled with comfort] I am overflowing with joy.
For even when we arrived in Macedonia, our bodies had no ease {or} rest,
but we were oppressed in every way {and} afflicted at every turn--
fighting {and} contentions without,
dread {and} fears within [us].”
“Yet I am glad now, not because you were pained,
but because you were pained into repentance [and so turned back to God];
for you felt a grief such as God meant you to feel,
so that in nothing you might suffer loss through us {or} harm for what we did.
For Godly grief {and} the pain God is permitted to direct, produce a repentance
that leads {and} contributes to salvation {and} deliverance from evil,
and it never brings regret;
but worldly grief (the hopeless sorrow that is characteristic of the pagan world)
is deadly [breeding and ending in death].
For [you can look back now and] observe what this same Godly sorrow has done for you
{and} has produced in you:
what eagerness {and} earnest care to explain
{and} clear yourselves [of all complicity in the condoning of incest],
what indignation [at the sin], what alarm,
what yearning, what zeal [to do justice to all concerned],
what readiness to mete out punishment [to the offender]!
At every point you have proved yourselves cleared {and} guiltless in the matter. [I Corinthians 5]
So although I did write to you [as I did],
it was not for the sake
{and} because of the one who did [the] wrong,
nor on account of the one who suffered [the] wrong,
but in order that you might realize before God
how zealously you do care for us.”

1 Peter 4:1-2
“So, since Christ suffered in the flesh {for us, for you},
arm yourselves with the same thought
{and} purpose [patiently to suffer rather than fail to please God].
For whoever has suffered in the flesh [having the mind of Christ]
is done with [intentional] sin,”
So that he can no longer spend the rest of his natural life living
by [his] human appetites {and} desires,
but for what God wills.”

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1 Peter 4:12-19
“Beloved, do not be amazed {and} bewildered
at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test your quality,
as though something strange (unusual and alien to you and your position) were befalling you.
But insofar as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, rejoice,
so that when His glory [full of radiance and splendor] is revealed,
you may also rejoice with triumph [exultantly].
If you are censured {and} suffer abuse [because you bear] the name of Christ,
blessed [happy, fortunate, to be envied, with life-joy,
and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of your outward condition],
because the Spirit of glory, the Spirit of God, is resting upon you.
{On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.}
But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or any sort of criminal,
or as a mischief-maker (a meddler) in the affairs of others [infringing on their rights].
But if [one is ill-treated and suffers] as a Christian [which he or she is contemptuously called],
let him [or her] not be ashamed,
but give glory to God that he [or she] is [deemed worthy to suffer] in this Name.
For the time [has arrived] for judgment to begin with the household of God;
and if it begins with us,
what will [be] the end of those
who do not respect {or} believe {or} obey the good news (the Gospel) of God?
And if the righteous are barely saved,
what will become of the Godless and wicked?
Therefore, those who are ill-treated {and} suffer in accordance with God's will
must do right
and commit their souls to the One Who created [them] and will never fail [them].”

1 Peter 1:6-7
“[You should] be exceedingly glad on this account,
though now for a little while you may be distressed by trials {and} suffer temptations,
So that [the genuineness] of your faith may be tested,
[your faith] which is infinitely more precious than the perishable gold
which is tested {and} purified by fire.
[This proving of your faith is intended] to redound to [your] praise and glory and honor
when Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) is revealed.”

2 Thessalonians 1:3-5 & 11-12

“We ought {and} indeed are obligated [as those in debt] to give thanks always to God for you, brethren,
as is fitting, because your faith is growing exceedingly
and the love of every one of you each toward the others is increasing {and} abounds.
And this is a cause of our mentioning you with pride
among the churches (assemblies) of God for your steadfastness
(your unflinching endurance and patience)
and your firm faith in the midst of all the persecutions
and crushing distresses {and} afflictions under which you are holding up.
This is positive proof of the just {and} right judgment of God to the end
that you may be deemed deserving of His Kingdom,
for the sake of which you are also suffering.
With this in view we constantly pray for you,
that our God may deem {and} count you worthy of [your] calling
and [His] every gracious purpose of goodness,
and with power may complete in [your] every particular work of faith
(faith which is that leaning of the whole human personality on God
in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness).
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 Thus may the name of our Lord Jesus {Christ} be glorified
{and} become more glorious through {and} in you,
and may you [also be glorified] in Him
according to the grace (favor and blessing)
of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).”

2 Timothy 2:3
“Take [with me] your share of the hardships {and} suffering
[which you are called to endure] as a good (first-class) soldier of Christ Jesus.”

2 Timothy 3:10-12
“Now you have closely observed {and} diligently followed my teaching, conduct, purpose in life,
faith, patience, love, steadfastness, persecutions, sufferings--
such as occurred to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra,
persecutions I endured, but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
Indeed all who delight in piety {and} are determined to live a devoted {and} Godly life in Christ Jesus
will meet with persecution [will be made to suffer because of their religious stand].

2 Timothy 4:5
“As for you,
be calm {and} cool {and} steady,
accept {and} suffer unflinchingly every hardship,
do the work of an evangelist, fully perform all the duties of your ministry.”

2 Corinthians 8: 1-2 & 11-14

“We want to tell you further, brethren, about the grace (the favor and spiritual blessing) of God
which has been evident in the churches of Macedonia [arousing in them the desire to give alms];
for in the midst of an ordeal of severe tribulation,
their abundance of joy and their depth of poverty [together] have overflowed
in wealth of lavish generosity on their part.”
“So now finish doing it, that your [enthusiastic] readiness in desiring it
may be equaled by your completion of it according to your ability {and} means.
For if the [eager] readiness to give is there, then it is acceptable {and} welcomed
in proportion to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.
For it is not [intended] that other people be eased {and} relieved [of their responsibility]
and you be burdened {and} suffer [unfairly],
but to have equality [share and share alike], your surplus over necessity at the present time
going to meet their want {and} to equalize the difference created by it,
so that [at some other time] their surplus in turn may be given to supply your want.
Thus there may be equality.”

1 Thessalonians 2:14
“For you, brethren, became imitators
of the assemblies (churches) of God in Christ Jesus which are in Judea,
for you too have suffered the same kind of treatment from your own fellow countrymen
as they did [who were persecuted at the hands] of the Jews,”

1 Corinthians 12:26
“And if one member suffers,
all the parts [share] the suffering;
if one member is honored,
all the members [share in] the enjoyment of it.”

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Hebrews 10:32-34
“But be ever mindful of the days gone by in which, after you were first spiritually enlightened,
you endured a great {and} painful struggle, sometimes being yourselves a gazingstock,
publicly exposed to insults {and} abuse and distress,
and sometimes claiming fellowship {and} making common cause
with others who were so treated.
For you did sympathize {and} suffer along with those who were imprisoned,
and you bore cheerfully the plundering of your belongings
{and} the confiscation of your property,
in the knowledge {and} consciousness
that you yourselves had a better and lasting possession.”

Hebrews 13:3
“Remember those who are in prison as if you were their fellow prisoner,
and those who are ill-treated,
since you also are liable to bodily sufferings.”

Galatians 3:1-4
“Oh you poor {and} silly {and} thoughtless {and} unreflecting {and} senseless Galatians!
Who has fascinated {or} bewitched {or} cast a spell over you,
unto whom-- right before your very eyes—
Jesus Christ (the Messiah) was openly {and} graphically set forth
{and} portrayed as crucified?
Let me ask you this one question:
Did you receive the [Holy] Spirit as the result of obeying the Law {and} doing its works,
or was it by hearing [the message of the Gospel] and believing [it]?
[Was it from observing a law of rituals or from a message of faith?]
Are you so foolish {and} so senseless {and} so silly?
Having begun [your new life spiritually] with the [Holy] Spirit,
are you now reaching perfection [by dependence] on the flesh?
Have you suffered so many things {and} experienced so much all for nothing (to no purpose)--
if it really is to no purpose {and} in vain?”

Galatians 4:19-23
“My little children, for whom I am again suffering birth pangs
until Christ is completely {and} permanently formed (molded) within you,
would that I were with you now and could coax you vocally,
for I am fearful {and} perplexed about you!
Tell me, you who are bent on being under the Law,
will you listen to what the Law [really] says?
For it is written that Abraham had two sons,
one by the bondmaid and one by the free woman.
But whereas the child of the slave woman was born according to the flesh
{and} had an ordinary birth,
the son of the free woman was born in fulfillment of the promise.”

Galatians 5:11
“But, brethren, if I still preach circumcision [as some accuse me of doing, as necessary to salvation],
why am I still suffering persecution?
In that case the cross has ceased to be a stumbling block
{and} is made meaningless (done away).”

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Ephesians 3:13
“So I ask you not to lose heart [not to faint or become despondent through fear]
at what I am suffering in your behalf,
for it is an honor to you.”

1 Corinthians 7:25-28
“Now concerning the virgins (the marriageable maidens) I have no command of the Lord,
but I give my opinion {and} advice
as one who by the Lord's mercy is rendered trustworthy {and} faithful.
I think then, because of the impending distress [that is even now setting in],
it is well (expedient, profitable, and wholesome) for a person to remain as he {or} she is.
Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free.
Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife.
But if you do marry, you do not sin [in doing so],
and if a virgin marries, she does not sin [in doing so].
Yet those who marry will have physical {and} Earthly troubles,
and I would like to spare you that.”

2 Corinthians 1:3-6
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of sympathy (pity and mercy)
and the God [Who is the Source] of every comfort (consolation and encouragement),
Who comforts (consoles and encourages) us in every trouble (calamity and affliction),
so that we may also be able to comfort (console and encourage) those
who are in any kind of trouble {or} distress,
with the comfort (consolation and encouragement)
with which we ourselves are comforted (consoled and encouraged) by God.
But if we are troubled (afflicted and distressed),
it is for your comfort (consolation and encouragement) and [for your] salvation;
and if we are comforted (consoled and encouraged),
it is for your comfort (consolation and encouragement),
which works [in you] when you patiently endure
the same evils (misfortunes and calamities) that we also suffer {and} undergo.”

2 Timothy 3:1-5
“But understand this, that in the Last Days will come (set in) perilous times
of great stress {and} trouble [hard to deal with and hard to bear].
For people will be
lovers of self {and} [utterly] self-centered,
lovers of money {and} aroused by an inordinate [greedy] desire for wealth,
proud {and} arrogant {and} contemptuous boasters.
They will be abusive (blasphemous, scoffing),
disobedient to parents, ungrateful,
unholy {and} profane.
[They will be] without natural [human] affection (callous and inhuman),
relentless (admitting of no truce or appeasement or unforgiving);
[they will be] slanderers (false accusers, troublemakers),
intemperate
{and} loose in morals {and} conduct, uncontrolled {and} fierce,
haters of good.
For [although] they hold a form of piety (true religion),
they deny {and} reject {and} are strangers to the power of it
[their conduct belies the genuineness of their profession].
Avoid [all] such people [turn away from them].”
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1 Corinthians 3:15
“But if any person's work is burned up [under the test],
he [or she] will suffer the loss [of it all, losing his [or her] reward],
though he [or she] will be saved, but only as [one who has passed] through fire.”

for non-Christians
Luke 6:25
Jesus Christ said,
“‘Woe to (alas for) you who are full now (completely filled, luxuriously gorged and satiated),
for you shall hunger {and} suffer want!
Woe to (alas for) you who laugh now,
for you shall mourn and weep {and} wail!’”

Luke 8:37
“Then all the people of the country surrounding the Gerasenes' district asked [Jesus] to depart from them,
for they were possessed {and} suffering with dread {and} terror;
so He entered a boat and returned [to the west side of the Sea of Galilee].”

Luke 13:1-3
“Just at that time there [arrived] some people who informed Jesus
about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.
And He replied by saying to them,
‘Do you think that these Galileans were greater sinners than all the other Galileans
because they have suffered in this way?
I tell you, No; but unless you repent (change your mind for the better
and heartily amend your ways, with abhorrence of your past sins),
you will all likewise perish.’”

Matthew 23:33
Jesus Christ said to the scribes and Pharisees,
“You serpents! You spawn of vipers!
How can you escape the penalty to be suffered in Hell (Gehenna)?”

Romans 1:27
“And the men also turned from natural relations with women
and were set ablaze (burning out, consumed) with lust for one another--
men committing shameful acts with men and suffering
in their own bodies
{and} personalities the inevitable consequences
{and} penalty of their wrong-doing
{and} going astray, which was [their] fitting retribution.”

Romans 2:6-11
“For He [God] will render to every man [or woman] according to his [or her] works
[justly, as his or her deeds deserve]:
To those who by patient persistence in well-doing [springing from piety]
seek [unseen but sure] glory and honor and [the eternal blessedness of] immortality,
He will give eternal life.
But for those who are self-seeking {and} self-willed {and} disobedient to the Truth
but responsive to wickedness,
there will be indignation and wrath.
[And] there will be tribulation {and} anguish and calamity {and} constraint
for every soul of man who [habitually] does evil, the Jew first and also the Gentile.
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 But glory and honor and [heart] peace shall be awarded to everyone who [habitually] does good,
the Jew first and also the Greek (Gentile).
For God shows no partiality
[undue favor or unfairness; with Him one man is not different from another].”

2 Thessalonians 1:5-10
“[It is a fair decision] since it is a righteous thing with God to repay
with distress {and} affliction those who distress {and} afflict you,
and to [recompense] you who are so distressed {and} afflicted
[by granting you] relief {and} rest along with us [your fellow sufferers]
when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in a flame of fire,
to deal out retribution (chastisement and vengeance) upon those who
do not know {or} perceive
{or} become acquainted with God,
and [upon those] who ignore {and} refuse to obey
the Gospel of our Lord Jesus {Christ}
Such people will pay the penalty {and} suffer the punishment of
everlasting ruin (destruction and perdition)
{and} eternal exclusion and banishment
from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,
when He comes to be glorified in His saints in that Day,
and [He will] be marveled at {and} admired [in His glory reflected]
in all who have believed
[who have adhered to, trusted in, and relied on Him],
because our witnessing among you was confidently accepted
{and} believed [and confirmed in your lives].”

For both Christians and non-Christians in fulfillment of prophecy

Mark 13:8
Jesus Christ said,
“For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines {and calamities.}
This is but the beginning of the intolerable anguish {and} suffering.”

Matthew 24:6-13
Jesus Christ said,
“And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars;
see that you are not frightened {or} troubled,
for this must take place, but the end is not yet.
For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom,
and there will be famines and earthquakes in place after place.
All this is but the beginning [the early pains] of the birth pangs [of the intolerable anguish].
Then they will hand you over to suffer affliction {and} tribulation and put you to death,
and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake.
And then many will be offended {and} repelled
{and} will begin to distrust {and} desert [Him Whom they ought to trust and obey]
{and} will stumble and fall away and betray one another
{and} pursue one another with hatred.
And many false prophets will rise up and deceive {and} lead many into error.
And the love of the great body of people will grow cold
because of the multiplied lawlessness {and} iniquity,
but he [or she] who endures to the end will be saved.”

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Mark 4:16-17
“And in the same way the ones sown upon stony ground are those who, when they hear the Word,
at once receive {and} accept {and} welcome it with joy;
and they have no real root in themselves,
and so they endure for a little while;
then when trouble or persecution arises on account of the Word,
they immediately are offended (become displeased, indignant, resentful)
{and} they stumble {and} fall away.”

Matthew 13:20-21
“As for what was sown on thin (rocky) soil, this is he who hears the Word
and at once welcomes {and} accepts it with joy;
yet it has no real root in him, but is temporary (inconstant, lasts but a little while);
and when affliction {or} trouble {or} persecution comes on account of the Word,
at once he is caused to stumble
[he is repelled and begins to distrust and desert Him Whom he ought to trust and obey]
{and} he falls away.”

Revelation 2:9-10
Jesus Christ wrote:
“I know your affliction {and} distress {and} pressing trouble and your poverty-- but you are rich!
and how you are abused {and} reviled {and} slandered
by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
Fear nothing that you are about to suffer.
Behold, the devil is indeed about to throw some of you into prison,
that you may be tested {and} proved {and} critically appraised,
and for ten days you will have affliction.
Be loyally faithful unto death [even if you must die for it],
and I will give you the crown of life.”

Matthew 24:21-22
“For then there will be great tribulation (affliction, distress, and oppression)
such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now-- no, and never will be [again].
And if those days had not been shortened, no human being would endure {and} survive,
but for the sake of the elect (God's chosen ones) those days will be shortened.”
[Also in Mark 13:19-20-]

John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace {and} confidence.
In the world you have tribulation {and} trials {and} distress {and} frustration;
but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]!
For I have overcome the world.”

Revelation 7:13-16
“Then, addressing me, one of the elders [of the heavenly Sanhedrin] said,
‘Who are these [people] clothed in the long white robes? And from where have they come?’
I replied, ‘Sir, you know.’
And he said to me, ‘These are they who have come out of the Great Tribulation (persecution),
and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.’
For this reason they are [now] before the [very] throne of God
and serve Him day and night in His sanctuary (temple);
and He Who is sitting upon the throne will protect
{and} spread His tabernacle over {and} shelter them with His presence.”

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