Scripture does not provide a single explanation for every instance of suffering. It shows that suffering is not always punishment for a specific sin, that the present creation is in a state of decay, that suffering does not mean God has abandoned us, and that pain is not eternal.
What Does the Bible Say About This?
- The man’s blindness from birth was not the result of his own sin or his parents’ sin (John 9:1–3).
- Jesus did not consider the Galileans who suffered and those who died when the tower fell to be guiltier than others (Luke 13:1–5); in the same words, He called everyone to repentance.
- All creation is subjected to decay and groans, awaiting liberation; and we ourselves await the redemption of our bodies (Romans 8:20–23).
- Tribulation, oppression, persecution, and danger cannot separate believers from the love of Christ (Romans 8:35–39).
- Trials can produce endurance and steadfastness (James 1:2–4).
- God promises to dwell with people and wipe away every tear; there will be no more death or pain (Revelation 21:3–4).
- God told Job’s friends that they had not spoken about Him as rightly as Job had (Job 42:7).
The brief answer was prepared by the editorial team; the verse texts are from the Father’s Blessing Bible.
Key Scripture Passages
8 Scripture passages · Father’s Blessing Bible
John 9:1–3
1 As He passed by, He saw a man who had been blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God might be revealed in him.”
Luke 13:1–5
1 At that time, some people came and told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus responded, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish in the same way. 4 Or do you think that those eighteen people on whom the tower of Siloam fell and killed them were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish in the same way.”
Romans 8:20–23
20 because creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope, 21 that creation itself will also be set free from the bondage of corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 We know that all creation together has been groaning and suffering labor pains until now; 23 and not only it, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we await [the adoption,] the redemption of our body.
Romans 8:35–39
35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ: tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness of the body, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written: For Your sake we are put to death all day long; we are considered sheep destined for slaughter. 37 But in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
James 1:2–4
2 Consider it great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces perseverance; 4 and let perseverance complete its work, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
Revelation 21:3–4
3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: Behold, the dwelling place of God is with people. He will dwell with them, and they will be His peoples, and God Himself will be with them [will be their God]. 4 And [God] will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, because the former things have passed away.
2 Corinthians 1:3–4
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, so that we may be able to comfort those in any tribulation with the comfort with which God comforts us ourselves!
Job 42:7–8
7 And after the Lord had spoken these words to Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “My anger burns against you and your two friends, because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has. 8 Now therefore, take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, and go to My servant Job and offer a burnt offering for yourselves; and My servant Job will pray for you, for I will accept him, lest I deal with you according to your folly; because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.”
Related Questions
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