Found forty-five times in the New Testament, the Greek noun “thlipsis” meant “pressure,” “affliction,” “pressure,” “oppression.”

This noun first occurs in Mt 13:21 (the Lord’s “sower parable”).  He noted how tribulation cause some to abandon the faith.  The Lord also used this word when describing the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. (see Mt. 24:9, 21, 29 for this usage).  Joseph suffered “affliction” (Acts 7:10).  Things like famines can cause “affliction” (Acts 7:11).  In Acts 11:19, this word describes persecution.  Christians must endure “much affliction,” if they want to spend eternity with God (Acts 14:22).  Whatever afflictions are faced by Christians, Christ is greater (Rom. 8:35) and Christians thus need to endure (Rom. 12:12).  God can comfort His people during times of oppression (2 Cor. 1:4).  Orphans and widows may face oppression and affliction (Jas. 1:27).  The apostle John, along with other Christians, faced tribulation (Rev. 1:9; 2:9-10).  God can inflict tribulation on the unsaved (Rev. 2:22).  The greatest “tribulation” of all is sin (Rev. 7:14).