Topical Encyclopedia
Adversity, a common theme throughout the Bible, refers to the trials, hardships, and difficulties that individuals and communities face. The Scriptures provide numerous examples and teachings on how to understand and respond to adversity, emphasizing its role in spiritual growth, character development, and reliance on God.
Biblical Examples of Adversity1.
Job: The Book of Job is perhaps the most comprehensive biblical narrative on adversity. Job, a righteous man, faces immense suffering, losing his wealth, children, and health. Despite his friends' insistence that his suffering is due to sin, Job maintains his integrity and ultimately learns about the sovereignty and wisdom of God.
Job 1:21 states, "Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD."
2.
Joseph: Sold into slavery by his brothers and later imprisoned in Egypt, Joseph's life is marked by adversity. However, his faithfulness and trust in God lead to his rise as a powerful leader in Egypt, ultimately saving many from famine.
Genesis 50:20 reflects Joseph's understanding of adversity: "As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."
3.
David: King David faced numerous adversities, including persecution by King Saul, betrayal by his son Absalom, and personal failures. Throughout the Psalms, David expresses his struggles and reliance on God.
Psalm 34:19 assures, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him from them all."
Teachings on Adversity1.
Purpose and Growth: Adversity is often portrayed as a tool for spiritual growth and refinement.
James 1:2-4 encourages believers to view trials as opportunities for growth: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
2.
God's Sovereignty and Comfort: The Bible teaches that God is sovereign over all circumstances, including adversity.
Romans 8:28 reassures believers, "And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose." Additionally,
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 highlights God's comfort: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."
3.
Faith and Perseverance: Adversity tests and strengthens faith.
Hebrews 12:7-11 explains that discipline, though painful, produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those trained by it. Believers are encouraged to endure hardship as discipline from a loving Father.
4.
Community Support: The early church exemplified mutual support during times of adversity.
Galatians 6:2 instructs, "Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." The community of believers is called to support and uplift each other through trials.
Responses to Adversity1.
Prayer and Dependence on God: Prayer is a vital response to adversity.
Philippians 4:6-7 advises, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
2.
Rejoicing and Gratitude: Believers are encouraged to maintain a spirit of joy and gratitude despite circumstances.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 states, "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."
3.
Trust in God's Promises: Trusting in God's promises provides hope and strength.
Isaiah 41:10 offers assurance: "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."
Adversity, while challenging, is an integral part of the Christian journey, shaping believers into the likeness of Christ and drawing them closer to God. Through biblical teachings and examples, Christians are equipped to face adversity with faith, hope, and love.
Topical Bible Verses
2 Corinthians 1:4Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted of God.
Topicalbible.org2 Corinthians 12:9
And he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest on me.
Topicalbible.org
Revelation 21:4
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
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James 1:13
Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempts he any man:
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1 Corinthians 14:33
For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) Opposition; misfortune; contrariety.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ADVERSITYad-vur'-si-ti: In the Revised Version (British and American) exclusively an Old Testament term, expressing the various forms of distress and evil conveyed by four Hebrew words: tsela`, "a halting" or "fall"; tsarah, "straits" "distress," "affliction"; tsar, "straitness," "affliction"; ra`, "bad," "evil," "harmful." These words cover the whole range of misfortunes caused by enemies, poverty, sorrow and trouble. "Adversity," which occurs once in the King James Version in New Testament (Hebrews 13:3: kakouchoumenos, "ill-treated") is displaced in the Revised Version (British and American) by the literal rendering which illustrates or interprets a common phase of adversity.
Dwight M. Pratt
Greek
4778. sugkakoucheomai -- to endureadversity with (pass.)... to endure
adversity with (pass.). Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: sugkakoucheomai
Phonetic Spelling: (soong-kak-oo-kheh'-o) Short Definition: I suffer ill
...3986. peirasmos -- an experiment, a trial, temptation
... a putting to proof (by experiment (of good), experience (of evil), solicitation,
discipline or provocation); by implication,adversity -- temptation, X try....
2558. kakoucheo -- to ill-treat
... to maltreat, torment. From a presumed compound of kakos and echo; to maltreat --
which sufferadversity, torment. see GREEK kakos. see GREEK echo....
Strong's Hebrew
7451. ra' -- bad, evil... ra'. 7451a . bad, evil. Transliteration: ra' Phonetic Spelling: (rah) Short
Definition:
adversity.
adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, displeasure, distress
...6761. tsela -- limping, stumbling
...adversity, halting. From tsala'; a limping or full (figuratively) --adversity,
halt(-ing). see HEBREW tsala'. 6760, 6761. tsela. 6762 . Strong's Numbers.
6869. tsarah -- straits, distress
... Short Definition: adversary. adversary,adversity, affliction, anguish,
distress, tribulation, trouble Feminine of tsar; tightness...
3915. layil -- night
... 11) leyl {lale}; also laylah {lah'- yel-aw}; from the same as luwl; properly, a
twist (away of the light), ie Night; figuratively,adversity -- ((mid-))night...
7451b. ra -- evil, distress, misery, injury, calamity
... Word Origin from the same as roa Definition evil, distress, misery, injury, calamity
NASB Word Usageadversity (7), calamity (4), disaster (2), evil (94), harm...
3511. keeb -- a pain
... grief, pain, sorrow. From ka'ab; suffering (physical or mental),adversity -- grief,
pain, sorrow. see HEBREW ka'ab. 3510, 3511. keeb. 3512 . Strong's Numbers
7463a. raah -- evil, misery, distress, injury
... Word Origin from the same as roa Definition evil, misery, distress, injury NASB
Word Usage adversities (1),adversity (7), afflictions (1), calamities (1...
Library
The Sweet Uses ofAdversity
... The Sweet Uses ofAdversity. A Sermon (No.283). Delivered on Sabbath Morning,
November 13th, 1859, by the. REV. CH SPURGEON. at the...
Rejoicing inAdversity.
... SUBMISSION AND RELIANCE. 629. " Rejoicing inAdversity. 629. CM Burder's
Coll. Rejoicing inAdversity. 1 What though no flowers...
Prosperity andAdversity are from the Lord
... ESSAYS ii Prosperity andAdversity are from the Lord. There is one that toileth,
and laboureth, and maketh haste, and is so much the more behind....
Of the Uses ofAdversity
... THE FIRST BOOK. ADMONITIONS PROFITABLE FOR THE SPIRITUAL LIFE CHAPTER XII Of
the uses ofadversity. It is good for us that we sometimes...
The Twelfth Chapter: the Value ofAdversity
... BOOK ONE. THOUGHTS HELPFUL IN THE LIFE OF THE SOUL The Twelfth Chapter:
The Value ofAdversity. IT IS good for us to have trials...
Of True Meekness andAdversity: and of the Example of the Saints...
... BOOK I CHAPTER XXVII OF TRUE MEEKNESS ANDADVERSITY: AND OF THE EXAMPLE OF THE SAINTS:
AND OF THE MANNER OF GHOSTLY PROFITING: AND OF THINKING ON CHRIST'S...
BlessedAdversity.
... BlessedAdversity. INTRODUCTORY.... May we not well say that if Job's prosperity was
blessed prosperity, hisadversity, likewise, was blessedadversity?...
Of the Weight of Government; and that all Manner ofAdversity is...
... ROME, Chapter III. Of the weight of government; and that all manner of
adversity is to be despised, and prosperity feared. So much...
Of Divers Gifts of God's Chosen: and How Saints Come to Love in...
... BOOK II CHAPTER VI OF DIVERS GIFTS OF GOD'S CHOSEN: AND HOW SAINTS COME TO LOVE
IN PRAYING, MEDITATING, LOVING, SUFFERING,ADVERSITY AND HATING VICE, AND THAT...
An Even Mind Should be Preserved inAdversity as Well as in...
... An even mind should be preserved inadversity as well as in prosperity.? An even
mind should be preserved inadversity as well as in prosperity....
Thesaurus
Adversity (54 Occurrences)... (n.) Opposition; misfortune; contrariety. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
ADVERSITY.
... Dwight M. Pratt. Multi-Version Concordance
Adversity (54 Occurrences).
...Night (3322 Occurrences)
... concealment. 3. (n.) Intellectual and moral darkness; ignorance. 4. (n.) A state
of affliction;adversity; as, a dreary night of sorrow. 5...
Overseer (84 Occurrences)
... A Psalm of David. In my calling answer Thou me, O God of my righteousness. Inadversity
Thou gavest enlargement to me; Favour me, and hear my prayer. (YLT)....
Redeemed (78 Occurrences)
... Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said to them,
"As Yahweh lives, who has redeemed my soul out of alladversity, (WEB KJV...
Unaware (16 Occurrences)
... his iniquity. (See NAS). Psalms 35:15 But in myadversity, they rejoiced,
and gathered themselves together. The attackers gathered...
Glee (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Glee (2 Occurrences). Psalms 35:15 But in my
adversity, they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together....
Intercede (12 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 15:11 Jehovah said, Did I not direct thee for good? Did not I intercede
for thee in a time of evil, And in a time ofadversity, with the enemy? (YLT)....
Fortitude (5 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) That strength or firmness of mind which enables a person to encounter danger
with coolness and courage, or to bear pain oradversity without murmuring...
Faintest (2 Occurrences)
... thee, and thou art troubled. (KJV ASV WBS). Proverbs 24:10 If thou faintest
in the day ofadversity, thy strength is small. (WBS)....
Forsake (88 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To quit or leave entirely; to desert; to abandon; to depart or withdraw
from; to leave; as, false friends and flatterers forsake us inadversity....
Resources
Was some of Proverbs copied from the Instruction of Amenemope? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about fortitude? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about how widows are to be treated? | GotQuestions.orgAdversity: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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