(vv.'"") points to their glory in heaven. For our writer as for James {.la 1') and Paul (Gal 6"*) the true Israel consists of Christian believers (cf. J. MoHatt, EOT, 'Revelation,' London, l!»l(l, p. 395).
W. K. Boyd.
TRIBULATION 'Tribulation' is used to trans- late 0\i\j/i!, but not quite so frequently as ' alllic- tion,' in both AV and RV. We have ' tribulation ' in Ac ll'" and 1 Co 7'-* (RV ; AV ' per.secution,' ' trouble'). In 2 Co 1* V, where AV has ' tribula- tion' RV has 'affliction.' In 2 Co I''-*, where AV has 'trouble' RV has 'affliction.' dXlfiui is tr. ' aftiict ' in RV in every passage in which it occurs except 2 Co 4' (' press ') and 1 Th 3^ (pass, 'sufier attliction '). The latter passage in AV is tr. ' sufler tribulation.' In half of the passages, however, this Gr. verb is rendered 'trouble' in AV. The Vulg. has trihulatio for e\l\pi^ very frequently. In 4 Ezr. ' tribulation ' is the rendering of trihulatio in XV. 19, xvi. 19 (AV and RV) and in xvi. 67, 74 (RV ; AV 'trouble'), and of pressura in ii. 27 (RV). In Ass. Mos. iii. 7 we find the translitera- tion thlibsis (cod. clibsis).
Tribulation may affect either body or mind or both. Those who marry heedless of ' the present distress' 'shall have tribulation in the flesh' (1 Co 7™ RV). St. Paul writes to the Corinthians 'out of much tribulation and anguish of heart' (2 Co 2*). Part of his tribulation in Macedonia consists of fears within, while his flesh had no relief (2 Co 7'"-)- To him anxiety about the faith- fulness of his converts and the progress of the gospel is a source of tribulation (1 Th 3', Ph 1").
Tribulation may be produced by various causes. The famine caused the inhabitants of Egypt and Canaan great tribulation (Ac 7"). The captured Joseph surtered tribulation in Egypt (7'"). Part at least of the tribulation of the Corinthians was poverty (2 Co 8'^). By ministering to St. Paul's need the Philippians had fellowship with his tribulation (4'''). The lot of the fatherless and widows is tribulation (Ja I'"). Such tribulation may be relieved (1 Ti 5'°). Sometimes tribulation is the punishment of sin. To those who trouble the Tliessalonian Christians God will recompense tribulation (2 Th 1"). There shall be ' tribulation and angui.sh upon every soul of man that doeth evil' (Ro '2'). God will cast the woman Jezebel out of the Church of Thyatira and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation (Rev 2--). But it is the Christians who are specially subject to tribulation, and their tribulation con- sists largely of persecution and of the opposition which their religion meets in an unfriendly world. ' The tribulation which arose about Stephen ' (Ac 11'* RV) was of course 'persecution' (AV). St. Paul speaks of all the ' persecutions and tribula- tions' which the Thessalonians endure (2 Th I''). He says they received the word 'with much tribu- lation,' and entreats them not to ' be moved by these tribulations ' (1 Th 1" 3^). In 2 Co 8- we are told that the churches of Macedonia experienced much tribulation. St. Paul exhorts other converts to be ' patient in tribulation,' and to bless them that persecute them (Ro 12'-- "). In his work of evangelization the Apostle met with much tribula- tion. He told the elders of Ephesus that ' bonds and tribulations' awaited him (Ac '20^). He gloried in tribulations (Ro 5^), feeling that neither tribulation nor anguish nor persecution could separate him from the love of Christ (8''). There is little doubt that he is referring to the difficul- ties and the dangers which he met with in his proclamation of the gospel. Tribulations are mentioned in the list he gives of his trials in 2 Co 6"-. Bad neAvs about certain Corinthians gives him tribulation (2 Co 1' 2* 4'). Tribulation, then, to the early Christians meant not so much
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ill-heivlth, or poverty, or loss of friends, as the sacrilices tliey had to make and the perils they had to meet on account of their prochiniation or profession of Cliristianity. In Hehrews the writer says that after his readers were converted, tliey 'endured a great con tlict of sull'crinfjs ; partly, heinj; made a i;azinj:stock both by reproaches and altlictions ; and partly, becoining partakers with them that were so used'IKP; cf. 11^'). Tribula- tion is the a|)pointed destiny of Christians. St. Paul reminds the Thessalonians that both he and they were appointed unto tribulations, and that he had told them before that they were to suH'er tribulation (1 Th 3^'-). John is partaker 'in the tribulation and kinj;dom and patience which are in .lesus' (Rev 1"); and he tells the clmrcli of Smj-rna that they shall suffer tribulation ten days (2'°). ' Tlnoui;h many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of (Jod ' (Ac 14-"-).
Tribulation thus leading to the Kingdom, joy in tribulation is a phenomenon that can be under- stood. In nuKtli proof of affliction the churches of Macedonia bad abnmlance of joy (2 Co S-). The Thessalonians received the word with much tribu- lation, with joy of the Holy (iliost (1 Th 1«). In the case of the Christian, tribulation results in increased energy and blessedness of the spiritual life. 'Our light tribulation, which is for the moment, worketh for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory' (2 Co 4"). 'Tribula- tion worketh patience' (Ko 5'; cf. Rev P). God comforts the faithful in tribulation (2 Co 1* 7"), and the comfort thus given enables them to comfort others (l""). His judgment will put an end to their tribulation, and they will be rewarded with rest (2 Th pfr- ; cf. Rev 2'").