And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
Parallel translations
- WEB Not only this, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces perseverance;
- BSB Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
- NKJV And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;
- NASB And not only this, but we also celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;
- NLT We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Believers even rejoice in sufferings, knowing they produce perseverance. Trials become grounds for hope rather than despair.
Overview
Paul teaches that the justified can glory not only in hope but even in 'sufferings,' because God uses them to produce perseverance. Affliction is not meaningless but part of God's purposeful work in his people. This reframes Christian suffering in light of the secure standing and hope that justification provides.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 16
- Jas 1:2–3My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
- Jas 1:12Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
- 1 Pet 3:14But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
- 2 Cor 12:9–10And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: 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 upon me.
- 2 Cor 4:17For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
- Luke 6:22–23Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.
- Rom 8:35–37Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
- Luke 21:19In your patience possess ye your souls.
- Heb 12:10–11For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
- Matt 5:10–12Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- Phil 2:17–18Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
- 2 Cor 11:23–30Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
- Eph 3:13Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
- Acts 5:41And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
- 1 Pet 4:16–17Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
- Phil 1:29For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
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Christ at the center
Paul unfolds the gospel in full: Christ our righteousness received by faith, the second Adam in whom many are made righteous, in whose death and resurrection we are buried and raised.
How Romans 5:3 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.