Examining Catholic Redemptive Suffering In Light Of Scripture

          The Roman Catholic Catechism says that our suffering, "...can also have a redemptive meaning for the sins of others" (CCC, 1502). It also asserts that, "Christ not only allows himself to be touched by the sick, but he makes their miseries his own: ... By his passion and death on the cross Christ has given a new meaning to suffering: it can henceforth configure us to him and unite us with his redemptive Passion" (CCC, 1505). The Catechism claims that our suffering in Christ, "...acquires a new meaning; it becomes a participation in the saving work of Jesus" (CCC, 1521).

          Contrary to Catholic belief, Scripture affirms that it is Jesus Christ Himself who atones for sin. This does not involve our suffering in addition to what He has done for our sakes. Christ's work on the cross has ensured that we obtain redemption and the forgiveness of sins. It was accomplished "by His own blood" (Hebrews 9:12), without reference to any suffering on our part. While suffering can result in being conformed to Christ, it should not be considered as having redemptive value or making amends for wrongdoing.

          Nowhere in Scripture is our pain and suffering said to be brought together with the shed blood of Christ to make atonement. The New Testament speaks of His blood only in the context of His suffering for our sins (Hebrews 9:26-28; 13:12; 1 John 1:7; Revelation 5:9). He alone took that burden from us, rendering any other potential atoning work unnecessary. Psalm 49:7 tells us, "No one can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for them."

          2 Corinthians 1:5-7, Colossians 1:24, and Galatians 2:20 are the primary texts cited to support the Roman Catholic concept of our suffering being used by God to cancel out punishment for sins when offered together with the sacrifice of Christ. However, these verses do not identify human suffering with His suffering in the way that Rome claims, as follows:

          2 Corinthians refers to hardship for preaching the gospel, which resulted in it being shared and exemplified to the Christians in Corinth. Suffering can produce comfort and hope in God, as one can relate to the situations of other people. This does not imply that our sufferings carry meritorious value in Christ.

          The text from Colossians speaks of the sufferings of believers when viewed as part of the overall suffering of Christ’s body, the church. These sufferings are for His sake and serve as a testimony of His truth. However, they do not reconcile us to God or satisfy for sin, as Christ's sacrifice has already accomplished that perfectly. Instead, they serve as examples to others and help in the growth and maturity of the saints.

           The passage in Galatians identifies believers with Christ, this does not mean that their sufferings have any merit in regard to justification before God. Paul speaks of his own life as if it were the life of Christ Himself, showing his appreciation and living out his life in view of Christ's love and sacrifice for him.

          The idea of participating in the redemptive work of Christ through our temporal sufferings is a misunderstanding. It fails to grasp the beauty and power of God's grace. Every religion on this earth is unable to receive the totality of God's kindness. To lost souls, the Lord Jesus Christ is simply not enough.