Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to read this as just about tough times making us stronger. But Paul isn't just saying "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" in a general sense; he's highlighting that our suffering specifically, when faced with faith, is what produces the deep, tested endurance that underpins true hope. It's a deliberate forging process where God uses hardship to refine, not just to test, the character of His children.
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is building a case for the incredible peace and joy believers have in God, even amidst hardships. Having just established that we have peace with God through faith, he now turns to how our faith allows us to find joy in our present circumstances, specifically in suffering. This sets the stage for him to explain how trials aren't roadblocks but rather essential tools God uses to build our character and deepen our hope.
Wait, rejoice? In suffering? That sounds backward. How can hardship be a source of joy?
The Christian Paradox of Joy
Paul flips the script on suffering. Instead of just enduring or surviving, he calls believers to rejoice in it. This isn't about finding happiness despite the pain, but finding a profound, God-given joy within the suffering itself.
A Present Reality, Not Just Future Hope
This isn't wishful thinking. It's a present reality for those justified by faith (Romans 5:1). While future hope is crucial, Paul insists our joy isn't only about what's coming. It extends to our current circumstances, even the painful ones.
Suffering as a Tool for God's Work
How is this possible? Because suffering isn't random or meaningless. God uses it. It’s a tool in His hands, not to crush us, but to refine us, shape us, and ultimately deepen our faith.
What's the first thing suffering 'produces' in us, according to Paul? It's not what you might expect.
The Seed of Endurance
The verse states plainly: "suffering produces endurance." This is the immediate, tangible fruit of hardship for the believer.
Ask a follow-up
More Than Just Gritting Your Teeth
The Greek word translated as 'endurance' (hypomonē) isn't about passive resignation or simply putting up with things. It's an active, persistent quality – a steadfastness that doesn't give up, even when facing immense pressure. Think of it like the resilience of a tree that bends in the storm but doesn't break.
A Divine Process
It’s crucial to see that this endurance isn’t generated by suffering itself. As commentators note, suffering alone can make unbelievers impatient or bitter. Instead, it’s suffering sanctified by God's grace that works this patient perseverance in believers. God is actively involved, using the trials to build this essential quality within us.
Understand the original words
thlipsis · Greek Noun
Afflictions, trials, or troubles faced by believers in a fallen world; these are seen as opportunities for spiritual refinement rather than signs of divine abandonment.
hypomonē · Greek Noun
The capacity to remain steadfast and remain under pressure; the perseverance of faith despite hardships or delay.
dokimē · Greek Noun
The quality of integrity and proven virtue that emerges when faith is tested and refined through trials.
This passage directly parallels Romans 5:3 by encouraging believers to 'count it all joy' when facing trials, emphasizing that these challenges test the genuineness of their faith and produce steadfastness.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10Paul here reveals a similar paradox: God's power is made perfect in weakness, and he boasts in his weaknesses, insults, hardships, and difficulties, because when he is weak, then he is strong. This echoes Romans 5:3's idea that suffering can lead to spiritual strength and a reason for rejoicing.
Matthew 5:10-12Jesus' Beatitudes highlight that those persecuted for righteousness' sake are blessed and to be rejoiced over. This connects to Paul's point in Romans 5:3 by showing that suffering for faith, far from being a cause for shame, is actually a cause for great rejoicing and a mark of blessing.
1 Peter 4:12-13Peter encourages believers not to be surprised by fiery trials but to rejoice in the hope that their suffering for Christ's name brings them glory. This aligns with Romans 5:3 by framing suffering not as a negative but as a shared experience that deepens faith and connects believers to Christ's own suffering.
henryRomans 5:1-5: "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:"
5:1-5 A blessed change takes place in the sinner's state, when he becomes a true believer, whatever he has been. Being justified by faith he has peace with God. The holy, righteous God, cannot be at peace with a sinner, while under the guilt of sin. Justification takes away the guilt, and so makes way for peace. This is through our Lord Jesus Christ; through him as the great Peace-maker, th…
pulpitRomans 5:3: "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;"
Verses 3-5. - And not only so, but we glory in tribulations (or, our tribulations) also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Ghost which is given to us. The peace, the joy, the hope, that come of faith might be supposed unable to stand…
It's easy to read this as just about tough times making us stronger. But Paul isn't just saying "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" in a general sense; he's highlighting that our suffering specifically, when faced with faith, is what produces the deep, tested endurance that underpins true hope. It's a deliberate forging process where God uses hardship to refine, not just to test, the character of His children.
Paul is building a case for the incredible peace and joy believers have in God, even amidst hardships. Having just established that we have peace with God through faith, he now turns to how our faith allows us to find joy in our present circumstances, specifically in suffering. This sets the stage for him to explain how trials aren't roadblocks but rather essential tools God uses to build our character and deepen our hope.
Paul is building a case for the incredible peace and joy believers have in God, even amidst hardships. Having just established that we have peace with God through faith, he now turns to how our faith allows us to find joy in our present circumstances, specifically in suffering. This sets the stage for him to explain how trials aren't roadblocks but rather essential tools God uses to build our character and deepen our hope.
"Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope," — It's easy to read this as just about tough times making us stronger. But Paul isn't just saying "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" in a general sense; he's highlighting that our suffering s…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026