Suffering as a Christian

¹² Beloved, do not be surprised at ^(A)the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³ But rejoice ^(B)insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad ^(C)when his glory is revealed.

¹⁷ and if children, then ^(A)heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, ^(B)provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

^10 (A)that I may know him and ^(B)the power of his resurrection, and ^(C)may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

^11 (A)“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely ^(B)on my account. ^12 (C)Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for ^(D)so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Paul's Ministry to the Church

²⁴ Now ^(A)I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh ^(B)I am filling up ^(C)what is lacking in Christ's afflictions ^(D)for the sake of his body, that is, the church,