Suffering (3804) (pathema describes what happens to a person and must be endured. Pathema is talking about the actual suffering itself (not suffering in general) - it refers to the very pain that we are experiencing right now - those very things that we can "see, touch & feel" - those things that are causing us anguish and emotional trauma. The sufferings of this life are the lot of all believers but keep in mind that for believers suffering takes on a different meaning and purpose then suffering in general - as believers we suffer for our faith in Christ (and Christ in us Who the world hates) and we suffer that we might be conformed to His image. Furthermore, any suffering and shame we experience in this life for the sake of the Christ "are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us" (see Romans 8:18 below) Pathema is used 16 times in the NT - Ro. 7:5-note; Ro 8:18-note; 2Co. 1:5, 6, 7; Gal. 5:24; Phil. 3:10-note; Col 1:24-note; 2Ti 3:11-note; Heb. 2:9-note ; Heb 2:10-note; Heb 10:32-note; 1Pe 1:11-note; 1Pe 4:13-note; 1Pe 5:1-note, 1Pe 5:9-note. The NAS renders it most often in the plural as - passions, 2; suffering, 2; sufferings, 12. Paul writes that I (continually judge after calculation) consider (process of reasoning which results in arriving at a conclusion) that the sufferings (pathema) of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us." (See note Romans 8:18) Paul reminds the Corinthians that just as the sufferings (pathema) of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. (2Co 1:5) Again Paul writes that "Now I rejoice in my sufferings (pathema) for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body (which is the church) in filling up that which is lacking in Christ’s afflictions." (See note Colossians 1:24) As a servant of the Lord, he was called upon to endure untold hardships, persecutions, and afflictions (see similar use of pathema in 2 Timothy 3:11- see note). These to Paul were a privilege. "Filling up that which is lacking" does not refer to the atoning sufferings of the Jesus on the Cross for they are finished once and for all and no man could ever share in them. On the other hand there is a sense in which the Lord Jesus still suffers, for when believers are persecuted, the Head feels the sufferings of His Body. In a similar vein, Peter encourages the saints: "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you, but to the degree that you share the sufferings (pathema) of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation." (See notes 1 Peter 4:12; 4:13) Sufferings are the universal mark of all true Christians. Realizing that other Christians suffer in other places of the world, encourages us to move on in the faith. This also unites us in the same experiences. We can handle anything that life may bring us if we know the principles of the Word. And remember that we are not to be ignorant of Satan's schemes, one of which is to use our suffering to discourage us. He shoots fiery missiles like "You're the only one suffering like this." And this is a soul withering thought if not taken captive to Christ, for in the midst of the fire of affliction, it is easy to grow weary and want to give up under the mistaken impression that no one else has as much trouble as we do. In this verse Peter speaks God's truth which deflates Satan's lie. "Copy and paste the address below into your web browser in order to go to the original page which will allow you to access live links related to the material on this page - these links include Scriptures (which can be read in context), Scripture pop-ups on mouse over, and a variety of related resources such as Bible dictionary articles, commentaries, sermon notes and theological journal articles related to the topic under discussion." http://www.preceptaustin.org/1_peter_59.htm#Suffering