Final answer:
The New Testament book that refers to 'suffering' the most is 1 Peter, which emphasizes the Christian perspective of enduring trials to become closer to Christ and find meaning in hardships.
Step-by-step explanation:
The book of the New Testament that mentions the word “suffering” more than any other is 1 Peter. The apostle Peter, in this epistle, emphasizes the role of suffering in the life of Christians, encouraging them to endure trials and hardships as a part of their spiritual journey. Peter teaches that suffering is not arbitrary but is a part of following Christ, who himself experienced the ultimate suffering in the Passion, his sacrificial death on the cross.
This theme aligns with the broader Christian understanding of suffering, wherein Christ's followers may share in His sufferings to become closer to Him and find meaning in their trials. Thus, the emphasis on suffering serves a purpose within the Christian narrative, providing a source of hope and a means for personal and communal transformation.
It is important to note that the concept of suffering discussed within 1 Peter shares similarities with other perspectives and teachings, such as those within Buddhism, which also offer a way to understand and transcend suffering. The first of the Four Noble Truths in Buddhism states that life is permeated with “dukkha” (suffering), and the path toward liberation involves acknowledgment and eventual cessation of this suffering.