THE RIGHT HANDS
OF FELLOWSHIP
By
Shelby G. Floyd
March, 2009
PART
FELLOWSHIP WITH SUFFERING
LESSON TWELVE
FELLOWSHIP WITH THE SUFFERING OF OTHERS
While the
Christian life is predominately a life of joy and happiness, because of the
salvation that one has in Christ Jesus, nevertheless, there must be times when
there will be sickness and sorrow, crying and tears, pain and death. For these
things will not pass away until we reach the heavenly state. (Cf. Revelation
21:4.)
Because of sin and wickedness, which is in the world, it is the lot of all who live in the flesh to suffer. Especially, the children of God will be called upon to endure trials and suffering, because of the high principles to which they have attached themselves, and because of the opposition of the kingdom of darkness. (Matthew 23: 30.)
When Jesus
Christ began his earthly ministry, he wanted his disciples to understand that
suffering must be expected, and must be endured, by those who are faithful with
the promise that they would be blessed and happy in so doing: “Blessed are
they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall
say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be
exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the
prophets which were before you.” (Matthew 5:10-12.)
When Christians associate themselves with other Christians who are suffering injustice, they, thereby, become companions or partners in their suffering.
Fellowship with the Suffering of Others
When the
apostle Paul wrote his second letter to the Corinthians, the faithful members
of the church were enduring trials and persecutions similar to those, which the
great apostle Paul suffered. Therefore, they were to expect to receive the same
comfort and consolation from God, which Paul received: “For as the
sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth
by Christ. And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing,
that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the
consolation.” (2 Corinthians 1: 5, 7.)
In verse seven of the above reading, the term partaker is from koinonos, which simply means that they shared and had in common the same suffering which the apostle Paul suffered. They, therefore, were partners with Paul in human suffering for the cause of righteousness; because of this they were to look to the God of comfort for their consolation and help in time of need. Not only were the Christians from Gentile backgrounds required to suffer for the cause of Christ, but also those who came from Judaism, over into the Christian system, were also required to suffer great afflictions.
In the tenth chapter of the letter to the Hebrews, the writer presented a fearful picture awaiting those who fell away from the Christian religion. In order to encourage them to be faithful unto death, he reminded them of how patiently they had endured trials, afflictions and sufferings in their earlier days. “But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; Partly, whilst ye were made a gazing stock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.” (Hebrews 10: 32-33.) In reminding them of the sufferings which they endured he did not generalize, but he specified the various forms of suffering which they had endured.
In Hebrews 10: 33, the word companion is from a word that means to be, “a partner, associate, comrade, companion, to be the partner of one doing something.” (Cf. Thayer, p. 352.) The Hebrews were comrades with their fellow Christians, who were suffering; because they had assisted them, and had tried to do everything possible to relieve their suffering. This is exactly the same kind of comradeship or fellowship, which the Philippians had with Paul. (Cf. Philippians 4:14-16.)
Even the
beloved apostle John, was not exempt from human suffering. Late in his life,
when he became an old man, he was called upon to endure shameful suffering
because of his attachment to the pure and undefiled religion of Jesus Christ.
In writing the last book of the Bible, to the seven churches in Asia, John
said, “I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and
in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus
Christ.” (Revelation 1: 9.)
In the
above verse, the term companion is from sunkoinonos,
which is defined as a, “participant with others in anything, joint partner.”
The apostle John was far removed from the members of the seven churches of
However, not all of the suffering, which Christians endure, is the result of opposition. Some suffering comes upon the children of God because like children who have disobeyed their parents, they must be chastised for their infraction of the law of God. (Cf. Hebrews 12: 8.) Only sons, who have fathers who look after them, and care for them, chastise their sons when they do wrong. Therefore, children of God are partakers of the chastening hand of God. (Cf. Hebrews 12: 8.) *
*Shelby G. Floyd originally published The Right Hands of
Fellowship in The Informer, bulletin of the Garfield Heights Church
of Christ in
QUESTIONS ON THE LESSON
1. Discuss why it is the lot of all men (including Christians) to suffer.
2. How long will the suffering continue?
3. Discuss what Christ said in the Sermon on the Mount about the suffering of his disciples.
4. How were the Corinthians partakers of the sufferings and consolations of Paul?
5. Specify the terrible sufferings, which many Hebrew Christians endured.
6. How had the Hebrews been companions of them who were used for suffering?
7. Discuss why John the apostle was a companion in tribulation late in his life?
8. Did John have any
fellowship with those who suffered in
9. Discuss why not all suffering is the result from opposition, but some results from chastisement.
10. Apply this lesson to the people of God today.
SCRIPTURE TEXTS
Matt
30And you say, `If we had lived in the days of our forefathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.'
NIV
Matt 5:10-12
10Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11"Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
NKJV
2 Cor 1:4-5
5For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.
NIV
2 Cor 1:6-7
7And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.
NIV
Heb 10:32-33
32But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: 33partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated;
NKJV
Phil 4:14-16
14Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need.
NIV
Rev 1:9
9I, John, your brother and
companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in
Jesus, was on the
NIV
Heb 12:7-8
8If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.
NIV
MEMORY VERSE
Rev 21:3-4
4He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
NIV