“Human Suffering and God” – Part III – 09/23/2026 – Faithful Steward Ministries and FSM Women's Outreach

Today we continue our multi-part series on human suffering and God’s role in it. Over the next few weeks, I hope to explore and expand the Doctrine of Human Suffering to provide at least a basic understanding of it.

Section II: Definitions, Study series, and Theology

As always, I sincerely desire that this and every post will bless you and encourage you to dig deep into the riches of God’s Holy Word.

Definitions

Suffer

SUF’FER, v.t.L. suffero; sub, under, and fero, to bear; as we say, to undergo.

1. To feel or bear what is painful, disagreeable or distressing, either to the body or mind; to undergo. We suffer pain of body; we suffer grief of mind. The criminal suffers punishment; the sinner suffers the pangs of conscience in this life, and is condemned to suffer the wrath of an offended God. We often suffer wrong; we suffer abuse; we suffer injustice.

2. To endure; to support; to sustain; not to sink under.

Our spirit and strength entire,

Strongly to suffer and support our pains.

3. To allow; to permit; not to forbid or hinder. Will you suffer yourself to be insulted?

I suffer them to enter and possess.

Thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbor, and not suffer sin upon him. Lex.19.

4. To undergo; to be affected by. Substances suffer an entire change by the action of fire, or by entering into new combinations.

5. To sustain; to be affected by; as, to suffer loss or damage.

SUF’FER,v.i. To feel or undergo pain of body or mind; to bear what is inconvenient. We suffer with pain, sickness or sorrow. We suffer with anxiety. We suffer by evils past and by anticipating others to come. We suffer from fear and from disappointed hopes.

1. To undergo, as punishment.

The father was first condemned to suffer on a day appointed,and the son afterwards, the day following.

2. To be injured; to sustain loss or damage. A building suffers for want of seasonable repairs. It is just that we should suffer for neglect of duty.

Public business suffers by private infirmities.

Websters 1828 – Webster’s Dictionary 1828 – Suffer

Suffering

SUF’FERING, participle present tense Bearing; undergoing pain, inconvenience or damage; permitting; allowing.

SUF’FERING, noun The bearing of pain, inconvenience or loss; pain endured; distress, loss or injury incurred; as sufferings by pain or sorrow; sufferings by want or by wrongs.

Websters 1828 – Webster’s Dictionary 1828 – Suffering

Biblical Senses of Suffering

afflicted (person) — noun. a person who has been the victim of some pain, injury, or harm, either physically or mentally; often associated with recurring treatment or events.

affliction (cause of) — noun. a cause of great suffering and distress.

to afflict — verb. to cause great unhappiness for; distress.

to suffer (pain) — verb. to experience harm or emotional pain.

anguish — noun. extreme distress of body or mind.

affliction (state) — noun. a state of great suffering and distress due to adversity.

afflicted — adjective. grievously affected.

to be caused to be afflicted — verb. to be caused to experience great unhappiness.

to afflict (physical) — verb. to cause physical pain, suffering, or illness.

suffering (pain) — noun. feelings of mental or physical pain.

to be afflicted — verb. to be grievously affected.

suffering (misery) — noun. misery resulting from affliction.

to cause to suffer loss — verb. to cause injury or damage to someone or something.