What Does the Bible Say About Why Does God Allow Suffering?

1 Peter 5:10 ESV / 74 helpful votes

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

Romans 8:18 ESV / 66 helpful votes

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

Romans 5:3 ESV / 63 helpful votes

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,

1 Peter 5:8-10 ESV / 45 helpful votes

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

1 Peter 4:13 ESV / 32 helpful votes

But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV / 29 helpful votes

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Romans 8:28 ESV / 29 helpful votes

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Romans 5:12 ESV / 28 helpful votes

Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—

Revelation 21:4 ESV / 26 helpful votes

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Psalm 119:71 ESV / 26 helpful votes

It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.

1 Peter 4:19 ESV / 24 helpful votes

Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

Hebrews 11:1-40 ESV / 23 helpful votes

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. ...

Romans 3:23 ESV / 22 helpful votes

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV / 22 helpful votes

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

1 Peter 4:1-2 ESV / 21 helpful votes

Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.

James 1:2-4 ESV / 21 helpful votes

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

1 Peter 2:21-24 ESV / 20 helpful votes

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

Job 13:15 ESV / 20 helpful votes

Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face.

Job 2:10 ESV / 20 helpful votes

But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

1 Peter 3:14 ESV / 19 helpful votes

But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,

Romans 5:3-5 ESV / 17 helpful votes

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Romans 8:22 ESV / 16 helpful votes

For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.

John 16:33 ESV / 16 helpful votes

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

1 Peter 1:6 ESV / 15 helpful votes

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,

2 Timothy 2:12 ESV / 15 helpful votes

If we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us;

Romans 12:2 ESV / 15 helpful votes

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Proverbs 3:11-12 ESV / 15 helpful votes

My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.

Genesis 3:17 ESV / 13 helpful votes

And to Adam he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life;

1 Peter 5:7 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Hebrews 12:11 ESV / 12 helpful votes

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Isaiah 53:4-5 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.

Philippians 4:13 ESV / 10 helpful votes

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV / 10 helpful votes

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

2 Corinthians 7:6-7 ESV / 10 helpful votes

But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort with which he was comforted by you, as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more.

Luke 22:31-32 ESV / 10 helpful votes

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”

Isaiah 57:1-2 ESV / 10 helpful votes

The righteous man perishes, and no one lays it to heart; devout men are taken away, while no one understands. For the righteous man is taken away from calamity; he enters into peace; they rest in their beds who walk in their uprightness.

1 Peter 1:7 ESV / 8 helpful votes

So that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:28-29 ESV / 8 helpful votes

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Isaiah 53:3 ESV / 8 helpful votes

He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Genesis 1:28 ESV / 8 helpful votes

And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Hebrews 12:1-29 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. ...

Hebrews 4:15 ESV / 7 helpful votes

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Hebrews 4:14 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

2 Timothy 3:12 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

Romans 10:13 ESV / 7 helpful votes

For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Romans 8:22-23 ESV / 7 helpful votes

For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

2 Peter 3:9 ESV / 6 helpful votes

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

Philippians 1:12-14 ESV / 6 helpful votes

I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

2 Corinthians 4:17 ESV / 6 helpful votes

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,

Romans 3:10 ESV / 6 helpful votes

As it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one;

Psalm 119:1-176 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! ...

Genesis 1:31 ESV / 6 helpful votes

And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

Revelation 12:9 ESV / 5 helpful votes

And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

Hebrews 13:3 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.

Hebrews 12:10 ESV / 5 helpful votes

For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.

2 Corinthians 12:7 ESV / 5 helpful votes

So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.

2 Corinthians 1:3-7 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.

John 9:3 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.

Luke 13:1-5 ESV / 5 helpful votes

There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

59 Bible Verses about Why Does God Allow Suffering

1 Peter 5:10 ESV / 74 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 8:18 ESV / 66 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 5:3 ESV / 63 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 5:8-10 ESV / 45 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 4:13 ESV / 32 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV / 29 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 8:28 ESV / 29 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 5:12 ESV / 28 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 21:4 ESV / 26 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 119:71 ESV / 26 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 4:19 ESV / 24 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 11:1-40 ESV / 23 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 3:23 ESV / 22 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV / 22 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 4:1-2 ESV / 21 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 1:2-4 ESV / 21 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 2:21-24 ESV / 20 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Job 13:15 ESV / 20 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Job 2:10 ESV / 20 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 3:14 ESV / 19 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 5:3-5 ESV / 17 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 8:22 ESV / 16 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 16:33 ESV / 16 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 1:6 ESV / 15 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 2:12 ESV / 15 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 12:2 ESV / 15 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 3:11-12 ESV / 15 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 3:17 ESV / 13 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 5:7 ESV / 12 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 12:11 ESV / 12 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 53:4-5 ESV / 11 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Philippians 4:13 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Corinthians 7:6-7 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 22:31-32 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 57:1-2 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 1:7 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 8:28-29 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 53:3 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 1:28 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 12:1-29 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 4:15 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 4:14 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 3:12 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 10:13 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 8:22-23 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Peter 3:9 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Philippians 1:12-14 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Corinthians 4:17 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 3:10 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 119:1-176 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 1:31 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 12:9 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 13:3 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 12:10 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Corinthians 12:7 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Corinthians 1:3-7 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 9:3 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 13:1-5 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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