God's Good Purposes in Human Lives and Suffering

Understanding God's Good Purposes in Human Lives and Suffering

The concept that God has good purposes in human lives and suffering is rooted in biblical teachings. According to 1 Peter 3:17, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is God's will, than for doing evil ^{[1, 2]}. This idea is echoed in various biblical passages and has been interpreted by Christian traditions in different ways.

The Bible attributes various reasons to suffering, including the refinement of faith (James 1:2-3, 12; 2 Corinthians 12:7) and the glory of God (2 Corinthians 12:7-10; 1 Peter 4:14) ^[3]. God's providence extends to all aspects of life, including the natural world, the brute creation, and human affairs (Psalm 104:14; 135:5-7; Acts 14:17; 1 Chronicles 16:31; Psalm 47:7; Proverbs 21:1). This understanding of providence implies that God is actively involved in the lives of individuals and communities.

The goodness of God is a central theme in understanding His purposes. God's goodness is described as benevolence, mercy, pity, compassion, and long-suffering patience, exercised towards His creatures according to their circumstances and relations (Psalm 145:8-9; 103:8; 1 John 4:8) ^[4]. This goodness is not limited to the faithful but is also evident in God's dealings with the wicked, as seen in His long-suffering patience (2 Peter 3:9; Romans 2:4).

In the face of suffering, Christians are encouraged to maintain hope in God, which is described as "good," "lively," "sure and steadfast," and "gladdening" (2 Thessalonians 2:16; 1 Peter 1:3; Hebrews 6:19; Proverbs 10:28) ^[5]. This hope is grounded in God's promises, the work of the Holy Spirit, and the experience of faith (Romans 15:13; Galatians 5:5; Romans 5:4).

Different Christian traditions have interpreted the concept of God's good purposes in human lives and suffering in various ways. The Eastern Orthodox tradition, as represented by John Chrysostom, emphasizes the role of faith and the importance of living a virtuous life ^[9]. Protestant academics, such as those represented by the Tyndale House commentary, highlight the biblical basis for understanding suffering as a consequence of sin and the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity ^{[7, 8, 10]}.

The Presbyterian tradition, as seen in the commentary by Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, emphasizes the example of Christ's suffering as a model for Christian patience and the importance of understanding God's sovereignty in all aspects of life ^{[6, 11, 13]}. The Baptist/Reformed tradition, represented by John Gill, focuses on the lovingkindness of God as a reason for trust and hope in times of suffering ^[12].

The Nonconformist/Puritan tradition, as represented by Matthew Henry, stresses the significance of Christ's suffering as an example and a means of expatiating for the sins of humanity ^[14]. Across these traditions, there is a common thread that God's purposes, though not always immediately understandable, are ultimately good and directed towards the well-being of believers.

Sources

I Peter “I Peter 3:17 (BBE) — Because if it is God's purpose for you to undergo pain, it is better to do so for well-doing than for evil-doing.”
1 Peter “For it is better, if it is God’s will, that you suffer for doing well than for doing evil. -- 1 Peter 3:17”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Afflictions — Common to all (Job 5:7; 14:1; Ps. 34:19); are for the good of men (James 1:2, 3, 12; 2 Cor. 12:7) and the glory of God (2 Cor. 12:7-10; 1 Pet. 4:14), and are to be borne with patience by the Lord's people (Ps. 94:12; Prov. 3:12). They are all directed by God (Lam. 3:33), and will result in the everlasting good of his people (2 Cor. 4:16-18) in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:35-39).”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Goodness of God — A perfection of his character which he exercises towards his creatures according to their various circumstances and relations (Ps. 145:8, 9; 103:8; 1 John 4:8). Viewed generally, it is benevolence; as exercised with respect to the miseries of his creatures it is mercy, pity, compassion, and in the case of impenitent sinners, long-suffering patience; as exercised in communicating favour on the unworthy it is grace. "Goodness and justice are the several aspects of one unchangeable, infinitely wise, and sovereign moral perfection. God is not sometimes ”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Hope — In God -- Ps 39:7; 1Pe 1:21. In Christ -- 1Co 15:19; 1Ti 1:1. In God's promises -- Ac 26:6,7; Tit 1:2. In the mercy of God -- Ps 33:18. Is the work of the Holy Spirit -- Ro 15:13; Ga 5:5. Obtained through Grace. -- 2Th 2:16. The word. -- Ps 119:81. Patience and comfort of the Scriptures. -- Ro 15:4. The gospel. -- Col 1:5,23. Faith. -- Ro 5:1,2; Ga 5:5. The result of experience -- Ro 5:4. A better hope brought in by Christ -- Heb 7:19. Described as Good. -- 2Th 2:16. Lively. -- 1Pe 1:3. Sure and steadfast. -- Heb 6:19. Gladdening. -- Pr 10:28. Blessed. -- Tit ”
Job (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Job 21:7: The answer is Rom 2:4; Ti1 1:16; Psa 73:18; Ecc 8:11-13; Luk 2:35-end; Pro 16:4; Rom 9:22. old--in opposition to the friends who asserted that sinners are "cut off" early (Job 8:12, Job 8:14).”
1 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Peter 2:14: 2:14 to punish those who do wrong and honor those who do right: Cp. Rom 13:3-4.”
1 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Peter 4:12: 4:12-19 Peter instructs Christians one last time about the way to face the trials that will inevitably come. 4:12 don’t be surprised: Christians, especially those seeking to lead godly lives, can expect to face the hostility of a sinful world (see John 16:33; Acts 14:22; Rom 8:17; Phil 1:29).”
CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: 13:17 13:23 James 1:6 2:13 2:19 2:26 3:11 4:3 1 Peter 1:3 1:12 2:13 2:21 2:21 2:22 2:22 2:22 5:5 5:8 5:8 5:8 2 Peter 2:4 3:13 1 John 2:9 3:2 3:8 4:8 Revelation 1 1:4 1:9 1:11 1:16 1:20 2 3 3:12 14:1 14:4 14:13 15:6 20:9 22:16 Tobit 12:9 Wisdom of Solomon 1:4 1:14 11:23 11:24 14:16 Sirach 2:2 2:2 2:4 2:10 2:11 2:27 3:10-12 3:11 5:6 6:14 6:16 6:34 7:6 7:31 9:13 9:15 10:9 10:12-13 11:1 11:2 11:3 11:3 11:4 11:15 11:28 12:13 13:15 14:9 15:9 16:3 18:13 18:13 19:14-15 20:20 21:2 22:21-22 23:17 23:17 25:1 25:1 25:11 26:27 28:6 31:1 32:10”
Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 1:18: 1:18–3:20 Paul delays exploring the theme of righteousness through faith (see 3:21) until after he first teaches about universal sinfulness. Gentiles (1:18-32) and Jews (2:1–3:8) are equally under sin’s power and cannot find favor with God by any action of their own (3:9-20). 1:18 God’s anger is not a spontaneous emotional outburst, but the holy God’s necessary response to sin. The Old Testament often depicts God’s anger (Exod 32:10-12; Num 11:1; Jer 21:3-7) and predicts a decisive outpouring of God’s wrath on human sin at the end of history. While Paul usually de”
Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 31:19: God displays openly His purposed goodness to His people.”
Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 69:16: Hear me, O Lord; for thy lovingkindness is good,.... His lovingkindness to him, not only as his Son, but as Mediator; and which is a love of complacency and delight, and was from eternity, and will be to eternity: and this is "good", as appears by the effects and evidences of it; such as putting all things into his hands, showing him all that he does, concealing and keeping nothing from him, appointing him to be the Saviour of his people, the Head of the church, and the Judge of the world; and this lovingkindness shown to him is a reason why he might expect to be hea”
1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 3:18: Confirmation of Pe1 3:17, by the glorious results of Christ's suffering innocently. For--"Because." That is "better," Pe1 3:17, means of which we are rendered more like to Christ in death and in life; for His death brought the best issue to Himself and to us [BENGEL]. Christ--the Anointed Holy One of God; the Holy suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust. also--as well as yourselves (Pe1 3:17). Compare Pe1 2:21; there His suffering was brought forward as an example to us; here, as a proof of the blessedness of suffering for well-doing. once-”
1 Peter (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Peter 3:18: Here, I. The example of Christ is proposed as an argument for patience under sufferings, the strength of which will be discerned if we consider the several points contained in the words; observe therefore, 1. Jesus Christ himself was not exempted from sufferings in this life, though he had no guilt of his own and could have declined all suffering if he had pleased. 2. The reason or meritorious cause of Christ's suffering was the sins of men: Christ suffered for sins. The sufferings of Christ were a true and proper punishment; this punishment was suffered to expia”

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