Bible Verses About Suffering — The Complete KJV Guide
The complete KJV guide to suffering, pain, and God's presence in it
Find comfort in KJV Bible verses about suffering and pain. Scripture to help you understand God's purpose in trials and find hope in hardship.
"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." — Romans 8:18 (KJV)
Suffering is one of life's most difficult realities. The Bible does not promise a life free from pain, but it does promise God's presence in our suffering. Scripture reveals that our trials can produce perseverance, character, and hope. These verses offer comfort and perspective for those walking through seasons of hardship.
The complete KJV guide to suffering, pain, and God's presence in it
What the Bible says about suffering
Scripture never explains suffering away. Job receives no answer to his question, only an encounter with God. Paul's thorn stays. Yet the KJV consistently places suffering inside a story rather than leaving it as brute fact: Romans 8:18 weighs it against glory, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 turns it into comfort for others, and 1 Peter 5:10 sets a limit — 'after that ye have suffered a while'.
The presence of God in pain
The dominant promise for sufferers in the Bible is not rescue but company. 'When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee' (Isaiah 43:2). Psalm 23 walks through the valley rather than around it. This is why the incarnation matters so much to this topic: the God addressed in prayer is a God who has been hungry, bereaved, betrayed, and crucified.
What suffering is said to produce
Romans 5:3-5 and James 1:2-4 both describe a chain that runs from tribulation to patience to proven character to hope. Scripture is careful here — it does not call suffering good, and it does not require the sufferer to feel joyful. It claims that God is able to bring something out of it that could not have been produced another way.
How to use this page
If the pain is fresh, read only the verses about God's presence today and leave the verses about purpose for later; taking them in the wrong order does harm. Pray a lament psalm out loud — complaint is a biblical form of prayer. Ask one person to read a verse with you this week. Then follow the related links to comfort, grief, and healing.
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."
— 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)
Being a new creature means suffering doesn't define us. Our identity is resurrection-shaped, not suffering-shaped. Pain is temporary; new creation is eternal.
Most-searched suffering verses
Psalm 23:1
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Psalm 34:18
The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
James 1:2-3
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
Psalm 34:18
The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
Psalm 23:4
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Questions answered from Scripture
Why Does God Allow Suffering?
Theology & Doctrine
What does the Bible say about suffering?
Theology & Doctrine
What Does the Bible Say About Suffering for Christ?
Theology & Doctrine
Why Does God Allow Suffering?
Daily Living
What Does the Bible Say About Suffering?
Daily Living
What Does the Bible Say About Trials and Testing?
Daily Living
What Does the Bible Say About Grief and Loss?
Daily Living
How to Deal with Grief Biblically?
Daily Living
Verses for real-life situations
Grieving a Loved One
Scriptures for the deep pain of losing someone you love—comfort in the valley of
Going Through Hard Times
KJV Bible verses for hard times — comfort, endurance, and the unshakeable hope o
Living with Chronic Pain
Bible verses for enduring chronic pain with faith, hope, and God's sustaining gr
Going Through Divorce
Scriptures for comfort, healing, and hope during and after the pain of divorce.
Losing a Close Friend
Scriptures for grief and comfort after the death of a dear friend.
Bible Verses for Funerals & Memorial Services
Comforting KJV scriptures for funerals, memorial services, sympathy cards, and t
Bible Verses for Marital Separation
Honest KJV scriptures for the painful in-between of marital separation — for pra
Before Surgery
Comforting scriptures to read before going into surgery, offering peace and trus
Verse collections & studies
Bible Verses About Affliction
10 curated KJV verses
God Promises Comfort in Suffering
Bible promises of God's comfort during pain, grief, and hardship.
Bible Verses About Purpose in Pain
10 curated KJV verses
God Promises Purpose in Your Suffering
Bible promises that God uses suffering for His purposes and your growth.
Bible Verses About God's Presence in Suffering
10 curated KJV verses
God Promises Comfort in Grief
Bible promises for those mourning the loss of a loved one.
Bible Verses About Joy in Trials
10 curated KJV verses
Bible Verses About God's Faithfulness in Trials
10 curated KJV verses
Devotionals & commentary
Romans 5:3 Commentary
In-depth study • Trials & Suffering
Romans 5:4 Commentary
In-depth study • Trials & Suffering
Romans 5:5 Commentary
In-depth study • Trials & Suffering
1 Peter 5:10 Commentary
In-depth study • Trials & Suffering
1 Peter 4:12 Commentary
In-depth study • Trials & Suffering
2 Corinthians 12:10 Commentary
In-depth study • Trials & Suffering
Stories, parables & teachings
The Tower of Siloam
Luke 13:1–9 • repentance
The Testing of Job
Job 1-2; 38-42 • Wisdom & Poetry
The Parable of the Rich Fool
Luke 12:20 • Stewardship & Responsibility
The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus
Luke 16:25 • Compassion & Love
Blessed Are They That Mourn
The second Beatitude promises divine comfort to those who grieve—whether over pe
Words, places & holidays
Patience (μακροθυμία (makrothumia))
Long-suffering endurance — bearing with people and circumstances without giving up.
Tribulation (θλῖψις (thlipsis))
Intense pressure, affliction, and distress — the suffering believers endure in a fallen world.
Comfort (παράκλησις (Paraklēsis))
Encouragement, consolation, and exhortation drawn from God's presence.
Endure (ὑπομένω (Hupomenō))
To remain under, endure patiently, or persevere through trials.
Smyrna in the Bible
The suffering church that received no rebuke — only encouragement to be faithful
Gerar in the Bible
A Philistine city where both Abraham and Isaac sojourned and faced similar trial
10 Scriptures About Suffering
Romans 8:18
"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."Read in context
2 Corinthians 4:17
"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;"Read in context
1 Peter 5:10
"But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you."Read in context
James 1:2-3
"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience."Read in context
Psalm 34:19
"Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all."Read in context
Romans 5:3-4
"And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:"Read in context
2 Corinthians 1:5
"For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ."Read in context
Hebrews 12:11
"Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby."Read in context
Isaiah 53:4
"Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted."Read in context
Philippians 3:10
"That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;"Read in context
Reading Plans for Suffering
Go deeper with a guided KJV reading plan on suffering.
New Testament in 30 Days
Read through the entire New Testament in one month. About 9 chapters per day.
Bible in a Year
Read through the entire Bible in one year with daily Old Testament, New Testament, and Psalms/Proverbs readings.
Lent: 40 Days to the Cross
Forty days of repentance, reflection and preparation for Easter, following Jesus toward Calvary.
Fruit of the Spirit (9 Days)
Nine days, nine fruits — meditate on one characteristic of the Spirit-filled life each day.
What Does the Bible Say About Suffering?
The Bible does not promise a life free from suffering — instead, it promises God's presence in it. Romans 8:18 provides eternal perspective: 'The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.' Scripture reveals that suffering serves divine purposes: it produces perseverance and character (Romans 5:3-4), draws us closer to God, teaches us empathy, and prepares us for eternal glory. Jesus Himself was 'a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief' (Isaiah 53:3), showing that suffering is not a sign of God's absence but an arena where His grace shines brightest.
Finding Meaning in Suffering
The question 'why do I suffer?' is as old as humanity. The book of Job explores this deeply, concluding not with a neat explanation but with a deeper encounter with God Himself (Job 42:5). Paul found meaning in suffering by seeing it as participation in Christ's sufferings (Philippians 3:10). Peter encouraged persecuted believers that suffering for Christ's sake is a cause for rejoicing (1 Peter 4:13). While we may not understand every reason for our pain, we can trust that God wastes nothing — He works all things, including suffering, for our ultimate good and His glory (Romans 8:28).
A Prayer for Suffering
Lord, I don't understand my suffering, but I trust Your heart. Use this pain to draw me closer to You and to shape me into the image of Christ. Give me endurance, hope, and the faith to believe that You are working all things for good. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Frequently Asked Questions About Suffering in the Bible
Why does God allow suffering?
This is one of the deepest questions in theology. The Bible suggests several purposes for suffering: it develops character (Romans 5:3-4), draws us to God, produces empathy for others (2 Corinthians 1:4), and prepares us for eternal glory (2 Corinthians 4:17). Ultimately, God's ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9), and some mysteries will only be understood in eternity.
What is the best Bible verse for suffering?
Romans 8:28 offers hope: 'All things work together for good to them that love God.' 2 Corinthians 4:17 provides perspective: 'Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.'
Related Themes
Scripture Guides About Suffering
Explore suffering through specific life situations
Bible Verses About Suffering When Before Surgery
Bible Verses About Suffering for Recovering from Illness
Bible Verses About Suffering During A Hospital Stay
Bible Verses About Suffering When Living with Chronic Pain
Bible Verses About Suffering When Facing a Cancer Diagnosis
Bible Verses About Suffering for Recovering from Addiction
Cite this page
By Bible Sundays Editorial Team · Reviewed August 27, 2026 · How we source
All Scripture on this page is quoted from the King James Version. You are welcome to quote or link to this page — please credit Bible Sundays.
Plain citation
Bible Sundays. "Bible Verses About Suffering — The Complete KJV Guide." Bible Sundays, last reviewed August 27, 2026. https://www.biblesundays.com/topics/sufferingAPA
Bible Sundays. (2026). Bible Verses About Suffering — The Complete KJV Guide. Retrieved from https://www.biblesundays.com/topics/sufferingHTML link
<a href="https://www.biblesundays.com/topics/suffering">Bible Verses About Suffering — The Complete KJV Guide</a> — Bible SundaysMore on Suffering
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Romans 5:4 Commentary
In-depth study • Trials & Suffering
Romans 5:5 Commentary
In-depth study • Trials & Suffering
Hope in Hard Times
Bible verses about hope in hard times — KJV Scripture on the theme of hope in ha
Bible Verses About Hope in Suffering
10 curated KJV verses
Bible Verses About Joy in Trials
10 curated KJV verses
God Promises Comfort in Suffering
Bible promises of God's comfort during pain, grief, and hardship.