Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Nature:Hardships refer to the trials, difficulties, and sufferings that individuals encounter in life. In the biblical context, hardships are often seen as tests of faith, opportunities for spiritual growth, and occasions for demonstrating reliance on God. The Bible presents hardships as an integral part of the human experience, often used by God to refine and strengthen His people.
Biblical Examples:Throughout Scripture, numerous figures endure hardships as part of their journey with God. Job is perhaps the most notable example, enduring immense suffering yet remaining faithful to God. The Book of Job explores the nature of suffering and the sovereignty of God, with Job declaring, "Though He slay me, I will hope in Him" (
Job 13:15).
The Apostle Paul also faced numerous hardships, including imprisonment, beatings, and shipwrecks. In
2 Corinthians 11:23-27, Paul details his sufferings for the sake of the Gospel, emphasizing his perseverance and commitment to Christ despite these trials.
Purpose and Meaning:Hardships are often portrayed in the Bible as a means of testing and refining faith.
James 1:2-4 encourages believers to "consider it pure joy... whenever you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." This passage highlights the transformative potential of hardships, suggesting that they produce spiritual maturity and completeness.
Furthermore, hardships can serve as a reminder of human dependence on God. In
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 , Paul recounts the Lord's words to him: "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness." Paul concludes, "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me." This illustrates how hardships can lead to a deeper reliance on God's strength and grace.
Responses to Hardships:The Bible provides guidance on how believers should respond to hardships. Prayer is a central response, as seen in the life of Jesus, who often withdrew to pray during times of trial (
Luke 5:16). Additionally, the Psalms are replete with prayers and laments that express trust in God amidst suffering.
Believers are also encouraged to support one another during hardships.
Galatians 6:2 instructs, "Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." This communal aspect of enduring hardships underscores the importance of fellowship and mutual encouragement within the body of Christ.
Eternal Perspective:The Bible assures believers that present hardships are temporary and pale in comparison to the eternal glory that awaits.
Romans 8:18 states, "I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us." This eternal perspective provides hope and encouragement, reminding believers that their ultimate reward is in heaven.
In
Revelation 21:4 , the promise of a future without suffering is vividly depicted: "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away." This assurance of a future free from hardships offers comfort and motivation to persevere in faith.
Greek
4777. sugkakopatheo -- to bear evil treatment along with... along with. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: sugkakopatheo Phonetic Spelling:
(soong-kak-op-ath-eh'-o) Short Definition: I suffer
hardships together with
...5005. talaiporos -- distressed, miserable
... strain, leaving a person literally full of (deep misery) -- describing a person
with severe side-effects from great, ongoing strain (significanthardships)....
318. anagke -- necessity
... agcho (to compress, press tight) Definition necessity NASB Word Usage compulsion
(3), constraint (1), distress (3), distresses (1),hardships (1), inevitable (1...
Library
Taking One's Share ofHardships
... XVI TAKING ONE'S SHARE OFHARDSHIPS. 2 Timothy ii.3. Here is one of the
passages where the Revised Version brings out more clearly...
Look we Then, Beloved, whatHardships in Labors and Sorrows Men...
... 3. Look we then, beloved, whathardships in labors and sorrows men endure?
3. Look we then, beloved, whathardships in labors...
Concerning the Same Opinion of the Stoics, and Concerning the...
... gods. Chap. xvii."concerning the same opinion of the stoics, and concerning
thehardships and disgraceful conduct of the gods. On...
Of the Ways of Life, of Pleasures, Also of theHardships of...
... the divine institutes Book VI. Of True Worship. Chap. IV."Of the Ways of
Life, of Pleasures, Also of theHardships of Christians....
Of the False Prophet, and theHardships of the Righteous, and his...
... The Divine Institutes. Book VII. Of a Happy Life. Chap. XVII."Of the False Prophet,
and theHardships of the Righteous, and His Destruction....
Whether the Parts of Fortitude are Suitably Assigned?
... Rhet. ii) patience denotes endurance ofhardships, and he ascribes the same to
fortitude. Therefore patience is the same as fortitude and not a part thereof....
Whether Fasting is an Act of Abstinence?
... a part of temperance, as stated above (QQ[143],146, A[1], ad 3). Now temperance
is condivided with fortitude, to which it belongs to endurehardships, and this...
Whether Death is Essential to Martyrdom?
... But it belongs to fortitude to brave not only death but also otherhardships,
as Augustine declares (Music. vi). Now there are many...
An Account of the Several Annual Conferences, and of the General...
... months, during which time he traveled through most of the states in the Union,
preaching, as usual, almost every day, and suffering manyhardships: but in the...
It is not Enough that God Know us to be Chaste: we must Seem So...
... Especially in These Times of Persecution We Must Inure Our Bodies to the
Hardships Which They May Not Improbably Be Called to Suffer....
Thesaurus
Hardships (12 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Hardships (12 Occurrences).
... Psalms 73:5 They have not the
hardships of mankind, neither are they plagued like other men: (DBY).
...Hardship (19 Occurrences)
... Exodus 18:8 Moses told his father-in-law all that Yahweh had done to Pharaoh and
to the Egyptians for Israel's sake, all thehardships that had come on them on...
Numbers (136 Occurrences)
... from Sinai to Moab, the sending out of the spies and the report they brought back,
and the murmurings (eight times) of the people at thehardships by the way...
Use (620 Occurrences)
... to render familiar by practice; to inure; -- employed chiefly in the passive participle;
as, men used to cold and hunger; soldiers used tohardships and danger...
Israel's (72 Occurrences)
... Exodus 18:8 Moses told his father-in-law all that Yahweh had done to Pharaoh and
to the Egyptians for Israel's sake, all thehardships that had come on them on...
Father-in-law (25 Occurrences)
... Exodus 18:8 Moses told his father-in-law all that Yahweh had done to Pharaoh and
to the Egyptians for Israel's sake, all thehardships that had come on them on...
Tyrant (2 Occurrences)
... in an unlawful manner; one who by taxation, injustice, or cruel punishment, or the
demand of unreasonable services, imposes burdens andhardships on those...
Tribulation (43 Occurrences)
... The word is used generally of thehardships which Christ's followers would suffer
(Matthew 13:21; Matthew 24:9, 21, 29 Mark 4:17; Mark 13:19, 24 John 16:33 1...
Tears (58 Occurrences)
... which is characteristic of modern Occidentals, and there are many records of this
manifestation of woe, even among men accustomed tohardships and warfare...
Endurance (31 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 6:4 but in everything commending ourselves, as servants of God, in
great endurance, in afflictions, inhardships, in distresses, (WEB WEY DBY NAS...
Resources
Marriage Hardships ' Article Index | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the weapons of righteousness in 2 Corinthians 6:7? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to endure hardship (2 Timothy 4:5)? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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