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Triumph of Christ's Atoning Work in Suffering

The atoning work of Christ is understood as the means by which reconciliation between God and humanity is achieved [2]. This concept is central to Christian theology, with the term "atonement" itself signifying "at-one-ment" or the state of being reconciled [2]. While the New Testament primarily uses "reconciliation" (Romans 5:11), the Old Testament frequently employs the concept, often in connection with sacrifices made by priests for propitiating God, ransoming, and purifying [2, 8].

Christ's suffering and death are presented as the ultimate act of atonement, bringing about this reconciliation [2]. The New Testament emphasizes that Christ endured significant suffering, including scorn and mocking, as predicted in the Old Testament (Psalm 22:6-8; Isaiah 53:3; Luke 18:32) [4]. He voluntarily submitted to persecution and was patient under it (Isaiah 50:6; 53:7) [6]. This suffering was not merely a historical event but holds profound theological significance.

Believers are called to participate in Christ's sufferings, which is presented as a cause for rejoicing [1]. The Apostle Peter encourages Christians to "rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory" (1 Peter 4:13) [1]. This sharing in suffering is not about adding to Christ's completed atoning work, but rather experiencing the tribulations that come with faithfulness to Christ and the gospel [7, 14]. Paul, for instance, speaks of rejoicing in his sufferings for the church, "filling up the things lacking of the tribulations of the Christ in my flesh for his body" (Colossians 1:24, YLT) [7]. This perspective suggests that the sufferings of believers are connected to Christ's ongoing work in the world through his body, the church [14].

Suffering for the gospel is not to be a source of shame but an opportunity to demonstrate God's power [5]. Enduring unjust suffering "because he is conscious of God" is commended (1 Peter 2:19) [9]. Christians are told not to be surprised by trials, especially those who live godly lives, as hostility from a sinful world is expected (John 16:33; Acts 14:22; Romans 8:17; Philippians 1:29) [10]. This suffering can take various forms, including persecution for the sake of God and Christ, which is seen as a persecution of Christ himself (Zechariah 2:8; Acts 9:4,5) [6].

The triumph of Christ's atoning work is evident in the transformation it brings, even amidst suffering. The resurrection of Christ is a foundational truth that encourages believers in their own suffering [12]. It confirms his divine mission and the truth of Christianity, providing a basis for faithfulness even in the face of adversity [12]. The long-suffering of God, a characteristic of His nature, is also linked to salvation and should lead to repentance (Romans 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9) [3]. God's anger is not an arbitrary outburst but a necessary response to sin, yet His long-suffering provides opportunity for reconciliation [3, 11].

The suffering of believers, when endured with Christ, leads to future glory and co-reigning with Him [13]. This perspective transforms suffering from a purely negative experience into one with redemptive purpose, aligning the believer with Christ's own path of suffering and ultimate triumph.

Sources

  1. I Peter “I Peter 4:13 (BSB) — But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory.”
  2. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Atonement — This word does not occur in the Authorized Version of the New Testament except in Rom. 5:11, where in the Revised Version the word "reconciliation" is used. In the Old Testament it is of frequent occurrence. The meaning of the word is simply at-one-ment, i.e., the state of being at one or being reconciled, so that atonement is reconciliation. Thus it is used to denote the effect which flows from the death of Christ. But the word is also used to denote that by which this reconciliation is brought about, viz., the death of Christ itself; and when so used it”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Long-Suffering of God, The — Is part of his character -- Ex 34:6; Nu 14:18; Ps 86:15. Salvation, the object of -- 2Pe 3:15. Through Christ's intercession -- Lu 13:8. Should lead to repentance -- Ro 2:4; 2Pe 3:9. An encouragement to repent -- Joe 2:13. Exhibited in forgiving sins -- Ro 3:25. Exercised toward His people. -- Isa 30:18; Eze 20:17. The wicked. -- Ro 9:22; 1Pe 3:20. Plead in prayer -- Jer 15:15. Limits set to -- Ge 6:3; Jer 44:22. The wicked Abuse. -- Ec 8:11; Mt 24:48,49. Despise. -- Ro 2:4. Punished for despising. -- Ne 9:30; Mt 24:48-51; Ro 2:5. Illustr”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Scorning and Mocking — The sufferings of Christ by, predicted -- Ps 22:6-8; Isa 53:3; Lu 18:32. Christ endured -- Mt 9:24; 27:29. Saints endure, on account of Being children of God. -- Ge 21:9; Ga 4:29. Their uprightness. -- Job 12:4. Their faith. -- Heb 11:36. Their faithfulness in declaring the word of God. -- Jer 20:7,8. Their zeal for God's house. -- Ne 2:19. The wicked indulge in, against The second coming of Christ. -- 2Pe 3:3,4. The gifts of the Spirit. -- Ac 2:13. God's threatening. -- Isa 5:19; Jer 17:15. God's ministers. -- 2Ch 36:16. God's ordinances. -- L”
  5. II Timothy “II Timothy 1:8 (BSB) — So do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me, His prisoner. Instead, join me in suffering for the gospel by the power of God.”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Persecution — Christ suffered -- Ps 69:26; Joh 5:16. Christ voluntarily submitted to -- Isa 50:6. Christ was patient under -- Isa 53:7. Saints may expect -- Mr 10:30; Lu 21:12; Joh 15:20. Saints suffer, for the sake of God -- Jer 15:15. Of saints, is a persecution of Christ -- Zec 2:8; Ac 9:4,5. All that live godly in Christ, shall suffer -- 2Ti 3:12. Originates Ignorance of God and Christ. -- Joh 16:3. Hated to God and Christ. -- Joh 15:20,24. Hatred to the gospel. -- Mt 13:21. Pride. -- Ps 10:2. Mistaken zeal. -- Ac 13:50; 26:9-11. Is inconsistent with the spirit o”
  7. Colossians “Colossians 1:24 (YLT) — I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and do fill up the things lacking of the tribulations of the Christ in my flesh for his body, which is the assembly,”
  8. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Atonement, Under the Law — Made by sacrifice -- Le 1:4,5. By priests alone -- 1Ch 6:49; 2Ch 29:24. Necessary for Propitiating God. -- Ex 32:30; Le 23:27,28; 2Sa 21:3. Ransoming. -- Ex 30:15,16; Job 33:24. Purifying. -- Ex 29:36. Offered for The congregation. -- Nu 15:25; 2Ch 29:24. The priests. -- Ex 29:31-33; Le 8:34. Persons sinning ignorantly. -- Le 4:20-35. Persons sinning wilfully. -- Le 6:7. Persons swearing rashly. -- Le 5:4,6. Persons withholding evidence. -- Le 5:1,6. Persons unclean. -- Le 5:2,3,6. Women after childbirth. -- Le 12:8. The altar. -- Ex 29:36,”
  9. I Peter “I Peter 2:19 (BSB) — For if anyone endures the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God, this is to be commended.”
  10. 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).”
  11. 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”
  12. 2 Timothy (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Timothy 2:8: I. To encourage Timothy in suffering, the apostle puts him in mind of the resurrection of Christ (Ti2 2:8): Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead, according to my gospel. This is the great proof of his divine mission, and therefore a great confirmation of the truth of the Christian religion; and the consideration of it should make us faithful to our Christian profession, and should particularly encourage us in suffering for it. Let suffering saints remember this. Observe, 1. We are to look to Jesus, the author and finisher of”
  13. 2 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Timothy 2:12: If we suffer,.... With him, with Christ, as in Rom 8:17 all the elect suffered with Christ when he suffered; they suffered in him the whole penalty of the law, all the righteousness, strictness, and severity of it; and they are partakers of the benefits of his sufferings, as peace, pardon, righteousness, redemption, and everlasting salvation. And such being called by grace, and having made a profession of Christ, they suffer shame and reproach, loss of credit and reputation, and sometimes loss of goods, and corporeal punishment, and even death itself: but though th”
  14. 1 Peter (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Peter 4:13: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings,.... Not of his personal sufferings; though they were partakers of the benefits and blessings which come through them, and result from them, such as justification, peace, and pardon, and which are matter and ground of rejoicing; but of the sufferings of his body, the church, which is mystically himself; and are called his, because of the union between him and his people, and the sympathy he bears to them, and because they are endured for the sake of him and his Gospel, and conform the saints, and make t”
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