Understanding Glory in Tribulations from Romans 5:3
Romans 5:3 (NASB) states, "And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance" [1]. This verse is part of a larger passage in Romans 5:1-5, where Paul outlines the benefits of justification by faith, including peace with God, access to grace, and hope of glory [1]. The immediate context emphasizes the Christian's standing before God and the resulting spiritual blessings.
The term "glory" (Greek: doxa) in this context refers to an exalted state or honor, often associated with God's divine majesty [7, 8]. However, in Romans 5:3, the apostle Paul speaks of believers "exulting" or "glorying" in tribulations. This is a significant interpretive point, as it suggests a counter-intuitive response to suffering. John Gill notes that while tribulations are not desirable in themselves, believers can glory in them because they are experienced for Christ's sake and serve as trials of grace [6]. Charles Hodge further elaborates that the sorrows of this life, when viewed in light of the eternal future, are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed, leading to a joy that is "full of glory" [9].
The passage highlights a chain of spiritual development: tribulation produces perseverance, perseverance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope [1]. This sequence underscores a transformative process within the believer. The "perseverance" (Greek: hypomonē) implies steadfastness and endurance under pressure, not merely passive resignation [1]. This endurance is not an end in itself but leads to "proven character" (Greek: dokimē), which signifies a tested and approved quality, much like metal refined by fire [1]. This tested character, in turn, strengthens "hope" (Greek: elpis), which in the New Testament often refers to a confident expectation of future salvation and glory [1].
The concept of glorying in tribulations has been a consistent theme in Christian thought. Early church fathers like Cyprian, as recorded in ANF Vol 5, encouraged believers to bear all afflictions and persecutions when considering the glory that awaits them, noting that those who trust in God are delivered from their afflictions [10]. This perspective views suffering not as a punishment, but as a means to a greater end, a path to spiritual maturity and a deeper experience of God's grace.
The connection between suffering and glory is also evident in other biblical texts. For instance, the book of James speaks of counting it "all joy" when encountering various trials, knowing that the testing of faith produces endurance [5]. Similarly, the Old Testament often links suffering with God's refining work and ultimate vindication [2, 3, 4].
The theological implications of Romans 5:3 are profound. It challenges the natural human aversion to suffering by presenting it as an instrument in God's hands for spiritual growth. This perspective is not about masochism but about understanding God's redemptive purposes even in difficult circumstances. The hope mentioned in this passage is not a mere wish but a certainty, because "God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us" (Romans 5:5 NASB) [1]. This divine love provides the foundation for enduring tribulations and finding glory within them.
Sources
- Romans “Romans 5:3 (NASB) — And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Romans 3:5 cross-references: Deuteronomy 32:39, Psalms 58:10, Psalms 94:1, Nahum 1:2, Nahum 1:6, Romans 2:5, Romans 3:7, Romans 3:19, Romans 3:25, Romans 4:1, Romans 6:1, Romans 6:19, Romans 7:7, Romans 8:20, Romans 9:13, Romans 9:18, Romans 12:19, 1 Corinthians 9:8, 1 Corinthians 15:32, Galatians 3:15, 2 Thessalonians 1:6, Revelation 15:3, Revelation 16:5, Revelation 18:20”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Romans 3:13 cross-references: Deuteronomy 32:33, Job 20:14, Psalms 5:9, Psalms 12:3, Psalms 36:3, Psalms 52:2, Psalms 57:4, Psalms 140:3, Isaiah 59:3, Jeremiah 5:16, Jeremiah 9:3, Ezekiel 13:7, Matthew 12:34, Matthew 23:27, Romans 3:4, James 3:5”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Romans 10:3 cross-references: Leviticus 26:41, Nehemiah 9:33, Job 33:27, Psalms 71:15, Psalms 71:19, Isaiah 51:6, Isaiah 51:8, Isaiah 56:1, Isaiah 57:12, Isaiah 64:6, Jeremiah 23:5, Lamentations 3:22, Daniel 9:6, Daniel 9:24, Luke 10:29, Luke 15:17, Luke 16:15, Luke 18:9, John 16:9, Romans 1:17, Romans 3:22, Romans 3:26, Romans 5:19, Romans 9:30, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Galatians 5:3, Philippians 3:9, 2 Peter 1:1, Revelation 3:17”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “James 5:3 cross-references: Genesis 31:48, Genesis 31:52, Genesis 49:1, Deuteronomy 32:33, Joshua 24:27, Job 14:16, Job 16:8, Isaiah 2:2, Jeremiah 19:9, Micah 3:3, Micah 4:1, Acts 2:17, Romans 2:5, 2 Timothy 2:17, James 5:7, 2 Peter 3:3, Revelation 17:16, Revelation 20:15, Revelation 21:8”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 5:3: And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also,.... The tribulations of the saints are many and various, through the hatred of the world, the temptations of Satan, their own corruptions; and are the will of their heavenly Father; what Christ has foretold, and they expect; and here particularly design such as are for Christ's sake, which being supported under, and carried through, they glory in: not that these are desirable in themselves, and to the flesh; but they glory in them as they are for Christ's sake, and in a good cause; as they are trials of grace, and of ”
- Jeremiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Jeremiah 13:11: (Jer 33:9; Exo 19:5). glory--an ornament to glory in.”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 8:3: 8:3-5 In light of God’s awesome glory, it might seem that people would be insignificant to him. However, he has crowned them with glory and honor and placed them over all creation. 8:3 The nations around Israel worshiped heavenly objects as deities. The sun, moon, and stars are indeed immense and glorious, but they are merely the work of your fingers, a reason to praise the Almighty.”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 52: that a hair of our heads cannot perish without his permission. And when we think of the eternal future which He has prepared for us, then we see that the sorrows of this life are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us, and that our light afflictions, which are but for a moment, shall work out for us a far more exceeding and an eternal weight of glory; then mere contentment is elevated to a peace which passes all understanding, and even to a joy which is full of glory. All this is exemplified in the history o”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 5: Hippolytus, Cyprian, Caius, Novatian — EPISTLE LXXX.(5) (part 3): when we consider the glory, it behoves us to bear all afflictions and persecutions; because, although many are the afflictions of the righteous, yet those are delivered from them all who trust in God. 3. Blessed women also, who are established with you in the same glory of confession, who, maintaining the Lord's faith, and braver than their sex, not only themselves are near to the crown of glory, but have afforded an example to other women by their constancy! And lest anything should be wanting to the glory of your nu”