Suffering is unwanted, to be shunned, avoided even, that is only a natural response yet we see in this passage it is embraced by Paul and Silas who rejoiced because they were counted worthy to suffer for the LORD Jesus Christ! The suffering revealed what was IN them! They saw it as a Privilege, “The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.“-{Acts 5:41} . They saw it as a privilege and the evidence they rejoiced “because”… that is introducing us to the reason for their rejoicing, namely, “… they had been counted WORTHY of suffering disgrace for the NAME.” What was IN them came out in rejoicing because they valued the LORD Jesus so much, and they saw suffering for Him as a privilege!
The word “rejoicing” is “chairo” meaning,”cheer, full, to be calmly happy,” and it is in the present tense, they were continually rejoicing, this is not normal, or self manufactured it is the supernatural work of the indwelling Holy Spirit. They had been beaten and beaten, 39 lashes, and yet they were rejoicing!
No one likes suffering, but Paul shows us the motivation for their rejoicing, was the privilege of suffering disgrace for the Name of Christ! Their hearts, thought process, loyalty, allegiance to the LORD Jesus was a privilege for Paul and Silas to suffer for identification with Him who had loved them to the cross! What love.