Chronicles of a Believer

***Note: I read from the New International Version (NIV). I typically study verse by verse, using historical context and defining each word based on the Hebrew/Greek and the modern interpretation of the word.

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Key: 

Highlighted bolded words are vocabulary words

Underlined phrases are phrases to pay special attention to

Phrases in parentheses are additional thoughts

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Read: Romans 5:3-4

(v. 3) “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces endurance,”

• glory: καμχωμεθα pronounced “kauchōmetha,” meaning to boast (Koine Greek in NASB translation)
  • glory in our suffering can be understood as boast during our suffering
• in: ξν meaning “because of” or “during”
• suffering (n.) παθεμα pronounced “pathema,” meaning to experience misfortune, calamity, evil, or affliction
  • points to the external, that is sometimes out of our control
  • the afflictions that Christians undergo on behalf of the same cause which Christ patiently endured
• we know = to be certain of; to have full confidence in (trust)
• produce (v.): something that is actively happening >> to bring forth; to yield; to gain; to exhibit
  • think of how a tree produces or bears fruit
    • fruit of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control
      • Paul talks about the fruits in Galatians 5:22 (Galatians was written to the people of Galatia, a Roman province in Asia Minor which is part of modern-day Turkey)
• endurance speaks to patience because it has a prerequisite of time and is something that points to withstanding because it is out of our control
  • AMP translation says “patient endurance:
  • KJV translation says “tribulation worketh patience”
    • worketh points to actively doing something because it is a verb
      • definition: archaic form of ‘work’ meaning to create something of value through physical or mental effort
        • withstanding suffering takes a lot of mental effort and/or physical depending on the circumstance
          • suffering produces patience (longsuffering), discipline, fortitude, love (empathy), joy, peace (as you trust in God), faithfulness to God as you depend on Him more, and self-control
          • suffering also produces gentleness because we understand that everyone is suffering from something, so we desire to be gentle
      • produces a harvest of righteousness (Hebrews 12:11)

*central theme of Bible and Christianity is suffering and suffering molding us into the person of Christ*

~ Reflection: The Holy Spirit opened my eyes to understand that suffering is a central theme throughout the Bible since the beginning of human existence and the fall. Everyone suffered, but God was and is very much present amidst the suffering. In fact, He went so far as to become human to physically endure suffering with us. This reveals that God is empathetic. He understands (Hebrews 4:14-16). Understanding is a human need that allows us to feel intimate, connected, and emotionally safe. When understanding occurs, we begin to trust and let our guard down. ~