Romans 5:3

King James Version (KJV)

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

And not only so - We are not only happy from being in this state of communion with our God, and the prospect of being eternally with him;

But we glory in tribulations also - All the sufferings we endure for the testimony of our Lord are so sanctified to us by his grace, that they become powerful instruments of increasing our happiness.

Tribulation worketh patience - Ὑπομονην, Endurance under trials, without sustaining loss or deterioration. It is a metaphor taken from refining metals. We do not speak thus from any sudden raptures, or extraordinary sensations we may have of spiritual joy: for we find that the tribulations through which we pass are the means of exercising and increasing our patience, our meek forbearance of injuries received, or persecutions experienced, on account of the Gospel.

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

And not only so - We not only rejoice in times of prosperity, and of health. Paul proceeds to show that this plan is not less adapted to produce support in trials.

But we glory - The word used here is the same that is in Romans 5:2, translated, “we rejoice” καυχώμεθα kauchōmethaIt should have been so rendered here. The meaning is, that we rejoice not only in hope; not only in the direct results of justification, in the immediate effect which religion itself produces; but we carry our joy and triumph even into the midst of trials. In accordance with this, our Saviour directed his followers to rejoice in persecutions, Matthew 5:11-12. Compare James 1:2, James 1:12.

In tribulations - In afflictions. The word used here refers to all kinds of trials which people are called to endure; though it is possible that Paul referred particularly to the various persecutions and trials which they were called to endure as Christians.

Knowing - Being assured of this. Paul‘s assurance might have arisen from reasoning on the nature of religion, and its tendency to produce comfort; or it is more probable that he was speaking here the language of his own experience. He had found it to be so. This was written near the close of his life, and it states the personal experience of a man who endured, perhaps, as much as anyone ever did, in attempting to spread the gospel; and far more than commonly falls to the lot of mankind. Yet he, like all other Christians, could leave his deliberate testimony to the fact that Christianity was sufficient to sustain the soul in its severest trials; see 2 Corinthians 1:3-6; 2 Corinthians 11:24-29; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10.

Worketh - Produces; the effect of afflictions on the minds of Christians is to make them patient. Sinners are irritated and troubled by them; they complain, and become more and more obstinate and rebellious. They have no sources of consolation; they deem God a hard master; and they become fretful and rebellions just in proportion to the depth and continuance of their trials. But in the mind of a Christian, who regards his Father‘s hand in it; who sees that he deserves no mercy; who has confidence in the wisdom and goodness of God; who feels that it is necessary for his own good to be afflicted; and who experiences its happy, subduing, and mild effect in restraining his sinful passions, and in weaning him from the world the effect is to produce patience. Accordingly, it will usually be found that those Christians who are longest and most severely afflicted are the most patient. Year after year of suffering produces increased peace and calmness of soul; and at the end of his course the Christian is more willing to be afflicted, and bears his afflictions more calmly, than at the beginning. He who on earth was most afflicted was the most patient of all sufferers; and not less patient when he was “led as a lamb to the slaughter,” than when he experienced the first trial in his great work.

Patience - “A calm temper, which suffers evils without murmuring or discontent” (Webster).

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

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, the Mediator between God and man. The saints' happy state is a state of grace. Into this grace we are brought, which teaches that we were not born in this state. We could not have got into it of ourselves, but we are led into it, as pardoned offenders. Therein we stand, a posture that denotes perseverance; we stand firm and safe, upheld by the power of the enemy. And those who have hope for the glory of God hereafter, have enough to rejoice in now. Tribulation worketh patience, not in and of itself, but the powerful grace of God working in and with the tribulation. Patient sufferers have most of the Divine consolations, which abound as afflictions abound. It works needful experience of ourselves. This hope will not disappoint, because it is sealed with the Holy Spirit as a Spirit of love. It is the gracious work of the blessed Spirit to shed abroad the love of God in the hearts of all the saints. A right sense of God's love to us, will make us not ashamed, either of our hope, or of our sufferings for him.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

3. Not only so. Paul now explains how God’s plan of righteousness by faith brings peace and joy not only in times of prosperity but also in times of distress and trial. The hope of future glory and the endurance of present trouble go together. Jesus noted this fact when He said, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Glory. Gr. kauchaomai, which is translated “rejoice” in v. 2 (see comment there). The phrase may be translated “let us go on exulting.”

In tribulations. Literally, “in the tribulations,” hence the possible translation, “in our tribulations.” The Gr. thlipsis means “pressure,” “crushing,” “oppression,” and is variously translated “trouble,” “affliction.” The early Christians were called upon to endure various forms of persecution and suffering. The apostle could not promise the believers any exemption from sorrow. Instead he explained how Christian faith could use tribulations for the perfection of character.

Paul informed the disciples at Lystra “that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). The apostles rejoiced “that they were counted worthy to suffer shame” (Acts 5:41). Peter wrote that Christians should “think it not strange concerning the fiery trial Ã¢â‚¬Â¦: but rejoice” (1 Peter 4:12, 13). Jesus Himself said, “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake” (Matt. 5:10; cf. Rom. 8:17, 28, 35; 2 Tim. 2:12). However, Christians must not become fanatical, and glory in suffering for its own sake. They should rejoice in affliction because they consider it an honor to suffer for Christ, because they realize that it is an occasion to witness to His power in supporting and delivering them, and because they know that suffering, when properly endured (see Heb. 12:11), is made the means of their own sanctification and preparation for usefulness both for here and for heaven hereafter. The last of these reasons is the one that Paul particularly emphasizes in this context. See 3T 416.

Knowing. Paul could say this with assurance. Perhaps no other Christian has suffered more than he did in attempting to spread the gospel (see 2 Cor. 11:23-27). Paul knew from personal experience that “tribulation worketh patience.”

Worketh. Gr. katergazomai, “to achieve,” “to bring about,” “to work out.” The word is translated “work out” in Phil. 2:12.

Patience. Gr. hupomonÃ„â€œ. “Patience” may suggest only passive resistance to evil, the calm submission of a soul that resigns itself to suffering. HupomonÃ„â€œ means more than this. It signifies also an active virtue, a courageous perseverance and persistence that cannot be shaken by fear of evil or danger. A better translation would be “fortitude,” or “endurance.” The verb from which this noun is derived occurs frequently in the NT and is usually translated “endure” (Matt. 10:22; 24:13; Mark 13:13; 1 Cor. 13:7; 2 Tim. 2:10; Heb. 10:32; 12:2, 7; James 1:12; 5:11).

In the natural man, who has not been born again of the Holy Spirit, tribulation, delay, and opposition often produce only impatience, or even a surrender of the good cause he may have espoused (Matt. 13:21). But in those who are spiritual, and thus under the influence of the Spirit of love, affliction and trial produce more perfect patience and manly endurance (1 Cor. 13:7).

The supreme example of Christian fortitude in affliction was shown by Jesus during the last hours before His death. Through all the terrible cruelty and insult, Jesus bore Himself with majestic patience (see DA 710, 731, 734-736, 744). The Christian who longs to be like Christ will rejoice in whatever trials and suffering God may permit to come upon him, knowing that through these experiences he may gain more of the divine patience of Christ and thus be able to endure unto the end.

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Ellen G. White
Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, 509-10

Christ is our example. Are the ministers of Christ tempted and fiercely buffeted by Satan? so also was He who knew no sin. He turned to His Father in these hours of distress. He came to earth that He might provide a way whereby we could find grace and strength to help in every time of need, by following His example in frequent, earnest prayer. If the ministers of Christ will imitate this pattern, they will be imbued with His spirit, and angels will minister unto them. 2T 509.1

Angels ministered to Jesus, yet their presence did not make His life one of ease and freedom from severe conflict and fierce temptations. He was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin. If ministers, while engaged in the work which the Master has appointed them to do, have trials and perplexities and temptations, should they be discouraged, when they know that there is One who has endured all these before them? Should they cast away their confidence because they do not realize all that they expect from their labors? Christ labored earnestly for His own nation; but His efforts were despised by the very ones He came to save, and they put to death Him who came to give them life. 2T 509.2

There is a sufficient number of ministers, but a great lack of laborers. Laborers, co-workers with God, have a sense of the sacredness of the work and of the severe conflicts they must meet in order to carry it forward successfully. Laborers will not faint and despond in view of the labor, arduous though it may be. In the Epistle to the Romans Paul says: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 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 Him are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. We are without excuse if we fail to avail ourselves of the ample provisions made for us that we might be wanting in nothing. Shrinking from hardships, complaining under tribulation, makes the servants of God weak and inefficient in bearing responsibilities and burdens. 2T 509.3

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Ellen G. White
The Upward Look, 282.4

We learn a lesson in these trials.... “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 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” (Romans 5:1-5). But many are inclined to think, as these temptations fall upon us, that we must give up in discouragement, that we have no power to overcome. This is unbelief. We become weak because we fall under temptation and sin against God with our lips in talking discouragements and doubts, and talk on the off side and not on the side of hope and faith. You know Christ has had all these temptations. He was tempted in all points as we are. Christ says: “For the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me” (John 14:30).... UL 282.4

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Ellen G. White
Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 2, 803.4

Control the Feelings—We rejoice in hope, not in feeling. In the hope of the glory of God we know that tribulation worketh patience and experience hope. What does it mean? If we do not feel just as we want to, are we to fly into impatience, speaking those words that show that we have the attributes of Satan? We cannot afford to speak a harsh word or an unkind word, because we are standing right in view of the heavenly intelligences and we are fighting the battle with all the heavenly universe looking upon us; and how we grieve the heart of God when we deny Him in any way! The marks of the crucifixion in the hands of Christ show that He has graven us upon the palms of His hands.—Manuscript 16, 1894. 2MCP 803.4

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Ellen G. White
Our High Calling, 131.3

God will be to us everything we will let Him be. Our languid, half-hearted prayers will not bring us returns from heaven. Oh, we need to press our petitions! Ask in faith, wait in faith, receive in faith, rejoice in hope, for everyone that seeketh findeth. Be in earnest in the matter. Seek God with all the heart. People put soul and earnestness into everything they undertake in temporal things, until their efforts are crowned with success. With intense earnestness learn the trade of seeking the rich blessings that God has promised, and with persevering, determined effort you shall have His light and His truth and His rich grace. OHC 131.3

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