Bible verses about suffering
Romans 8:18, 1 Peter 5:10 and Isaiah 53:3-4 are where many people start with what the Bible says about suffering. The Bible doesn't explain every hurt, but it does say pain is real, God is close to it, and Jesus knew it firsthand. All twelve are below in full.
Free to read, no account. Last updated November 9, 2026. Scripture: King James Version and World English Bible (public domain).
1.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.
In the World English Bible
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed toward us.
Paul compares present pain with what is coming and says the second is bigger. He doesn't call the first small.
2.1 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.
In the World English Bible
But may the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
Peter closes a letter to people being mistreated for their faith. Suffering is described as lasting only a little while.
3.Isaiah 53:3-4
He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
In the World English Bible
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of suffering and acquainted with disease. He was despised as one from whom men hide their face; and we didn’t respect him. Surely he has borne our sickness and carried our suffering; yet we considered him plagued, struck by God, and afflicted.
A prophet describes a man of sorrows who was well acquainted with grief. Christians read it as pointing to Jesus.
4.Romans 5:3-5
And not only so, but we glory in 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 by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
In the World English Bible
Not only this, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope doesn’t disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Suffering can lead somewhere, and Paul lines up the steps one at a time. He isn't saying it's good, just what he saw.
5.1 Peter 4:12-13
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
In the World English Bible
Beloved, don’t be astonished at the fiery trial which has come upon you to test you, as though a strange thing happened to you. But because you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice, that at the revelation of his glory you also may rejoice with exceeding joy.
Peter says not to be shocked when painful trials come, as if something strange were happening.
6.2 Corinthians 1:5
For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
In the World English Bible
For as the sufferings of Christ abound to us, even so our comfort also abounds through Christ.
Christ's sufferings overflow in Paul's life, and so does comfort. The two travel together.
7.Hebrews 4:15-16
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
In the World English Bible
For we don’t have a high priest who can’t be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin. Let’s therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need.
Jesus is described as someone who understands weakness, so the writer invites readers to approach him for mercy.
8.Psalm 22:1-2
My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.
In the World English Bible
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning? My God, I cry in the daytime, but you don’t answer; in the night season, and am not silent.
The cry Jesus later quoted from the cross. It asks why God feels far away, and says it in the middle of the night.
9.Job 2:10
But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.
In the World English Bible
But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. What? Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job didn’t sin with his lips.
Job's wife tells him to give up. He answers that people take good from God and so can take hard things too.
10.Psalm 119:71
It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
In the World English Bible
It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn your statutes.
The writer says affliction was good for him, because it taught him God's ways. A hindsight verse, not an easy one.
11.James 5:11
Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
In the World English Bible
Behold, we call them blessed who endured. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and have seen the Lord in the outcome, and how the Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
James points to the endurance of Job and to the kindness the Lord showed him in the end.
12.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;
In the World English Bible
that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed to his death,
Wanting to know Christ includes sharing in his sufferings, Paul writes. Pain becomes something shared, not hidden.
Free
Get one verse every morning
Today's verse, a short reflection and a prayer. Free, no account.
Read today's verseQuestions
What is a good Bible verse about suffering?
Romans 8:18 is a good place to start. Paul compares present pain with what is coming and says the second is bigger. He doesn't call the first small.
Why does God allow suffering?
The Bible doesn't give one neat answer. Job 2:10 and Psalm 22:1-2 both let people ask hard questions out loud. Romans 8:18 and 2 Corinthians 4:17 look ahead, but nothing here says every pain has a reason you can see.
Does Jesus understand pain?
Hebrews 4:15-16 says he is able to sympathize with human weakness. Isaiah 53:3-4 describes a man who knew grief, and Psalm 22:1-2 is the cry he quoted on the cross. John 11:35 shows him weeping at a friend's grave.
Related topics
Made by Lamplight, a small Sarvixo product. Notes on each verse are ours, written with AI tools and checked against the passage. The verses are printed exactly as published.