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Let us —

I. EXPOUND THE TEXT.

1. "We glory in tribulations," i.e. (see Hebrews 10:33), refers specifically to persecutions. We know how Paul himself was exposed to these. It was no easy thing to be a Christian in those early times. Our English word means to thresh corn with flails. Methinks that if the same flails were used now upon the threshing floors of Christian profession, we should very speedily know how much chaff, and how little wheat, is now heaped up there. But we need not limit the term to tribulations of that class. Afflictions may overtake us in many other forms. We may lose our health, our wealth, our friends, our domestic comfort and peace. Yet in these tribulations, as Christians, we "glory," for we believe them to be sent or permitted of God to promote our good (Hebrews 12:5-15).

2. "Tribulation worketh patience." It does so, of course, only when received in submissiveness and faith. On the ungodly it generally produces the contrary effect.

(1) The simplest idea of patience is that of passive continuance, as when we read of patiently waiting for the object of hope.

(2) A higher degree of self-control, or a power to govern our tempers in provocation (Ecclesiastes 7:8, 9).

(3) Another notion is that of fortitude, or strong resistance against a pressure of adversity (James 1:3).

(4) But its crowning excellence is that it can do more than resist; it can overbear opposition and go on its way rejoicing. It is the same thing as perseverance (Hebrews 12:1). blow as tribulation works patience, we may well glory in it, for it is a good thing to be patient. By patience we are kept from ignoble sloth, children are converted into noble heroes, we are roused to new life and energy, and grow up from puny infancy to the full stature of the perfect man in Christ. The forest trees grow stronger the more they are beat upon by the tempest; your stalwart rowers pull harder just as they feel the current bearing more steadily against them; and the exposed warrior gets most inured to the battle and the breeze.

3. "And patience, experience." The radical idea is that of testing or trying metal, to ascertain its purity. Patience gives us proof of —

(1) Our own sincerity and genuineness. You may imagine yourself converted, and be the subject of joyful feeling; but is all this real? The answer is got by the experiment of tribulation (Mark 4:16, 17).

(2) The limited power of our adversaries. The young Christian, like the young voyager, is soon frightened by the tempest, but the experienced saint, like the veteran sailor, has discovered that the waves are not so mighty as they seem, and that the winds only hurry the vessel faster on its course.

(3) Jehovah's faithfulness (Psalm 18:16-18, 29; Habakkuk 3:17-19; 2 Corinthians 12:5-9).

4. "And experience, hope." Hope was mentioned before as the result of faith; here it is the fruit of experience. Each is the same in its nature and object; but it is reached by two distinct processes. First, our hope is based simply and nakedly on the declaration and promise of God (ver. 1; Psalm 119:49, 50). But the hope of the text, while it rests upon the same word, also rests upon out experience of what the Lord has done for our souls. This has the double effect of satisfying us that we are the subjects of grace, and therefore those to whom the promise belongs; and also of convincing us, from what we have actually received, that God "is faithful who hath promised, who also will do it."

5. This assured hope suffers us not to be ashamed, even in the midst of suffering and reproach.

II. APPLY THE TEXT. It supplies —

1. A test of faithfulness. How do you deal with troubles? Do you meet them with fretfulness and impatience, or in a spirit of stoical pride or stolid indifference? If not, do you, as God's children, bear them patiently and triumph in them? From experience, does hope spring? and does that hope make you bold in confessing Christ? Is the love of God shed abroad in your breast?

2. A lesson of wisdom. If our hearts are set on worldly things, then plainly we can have no delight in tribulations. Let us, then, study the nature and the worth of moral excellence and religious attainments. It were surely better for us to get the love of God shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost, than to compass every object of earthly ambition.

3. A lesson of patience and trust. You know, as a child of God, that affliction is given you from above, that it is all ordered in wisdom, and superintended by infinite love. Therefore, be patient and hope unto the end. God will remove the crucible as soon as the liquid metal reflects His glorious image from its unsullied surface. Affliction is to God's children what the shepherd's dog is to the flock, which barks at the outsiders and drives the wanderers home again. Or it is the lapidary's grindstone, whereby the most costly gems are rounded and polished.

4. Some solemn thoughts for the unconverted.

(1) Do you persecute the righteous? What you do against them will redound to their greater reward. It must, however, injure you.

(2) What effect has trouble upon you? You cannot avoid it, any more than can the godly.

(3) Whether in sickness or health, you have not the love of God in your heart. One wonders how you can live without it. And certainly you will find it hard to die without it.

(T. G. Horton.)

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

WEB: Not only this, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering works perseverance;