Colossians 1:24 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,

NIV: Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.

NASB: Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am supplementing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions in behalf of His body, which is the church.

CSB: Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I am completing in my flesh what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for his body, that is, the church.

NLT: I am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body, the church.

KJV: Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:

NKJV: I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church,

After mentioning his work as a minister of the gospel in the previous verse, Paul now includes further detail about his efforts (Colossians 1:24–29). This verse emphasizes Paul's sufferings. Writing from Roman house arrest, he declares that he can still rejoice, even though he is under hardship. Just as James taught (James 1:2–4), Paul could rejoice in suffering because he knew that the end result was glory in God. Paul suffered both for Christ, and on behalf of Paul's fellow believers.

The way Paul refers to Christ's afflictions here has been the subject of much controversy. While there are many views on this topic, the most likely is that Paul viewed his suffering as a "service," while Christ's was a "sacrifice." The church, in terms of a group of believers, did not yet exist when Christ suffered on the cross. Now, however, Paul suffered for the church as part of his ministry. The term Paul uses for "afflictions" is thlipseōn, from the root word thlipsis, which is not a term the New Testament uses in reference to the physical sufferings of Christ. While Christ certainly suffers when His church suffers (Acts 9:4), Paul's experiences are a different kind of trouble, meant for a different purpose than the sacrificial death of Christ.

In other words, Paul is not suggesting that his suffering makes up something lacking in the saving power of Christ's death. Rather, he considers his persecution a service, one which Christ left for His followers to fulfill.

Colossians 1:24–29 completes this passage with an emphasis on Paul's work as a minister. According to Paul, his suffering is a service he offers for the sake of Christ, on behalf of the other believers. Paul's work for the sake for the church is just that: work. He is striving, fighting, and ''toiling'' on behalf of his faith. All the same, Paul recognizes that anything he accomplishes is only through the power given through Christ.

In chapter 1, Paul introduces himself, along with his co-author Timothy. As he often does, Paul gives thanks for what he hears about the faith of the believers in Colossae. Paul includes a prayer for their growth and spiritual strength. The letter then transitions to praise of Jesus, describing Him as absolutely supreme. All created things were made through, by, and for Him. And, since it was His sacrifice which saved us from sin, we can have confidence in our eternal destiny.

Colossians chapter 1 is mostly focused on describing Christ as supreme. Jesus is not only the God of creation, He is the ultimate authority over all created things. The penalty for sin has been completely removed because of His perfect sacrifice. These are foundational ideas which Paul will use to set up his later points. In chapters 2, 3, and 4, Paul will explain why contrary claims are untrue, and show the right way for Christians to live out what we believe about Jesus.

The book of Colossians describes Christ as superior to all other teachers, faiths, and philosophies. In this letter, written from prison, Paul once again tackles false teachings. Among these errors are claims that Christians need to give up all physical enjoyments, that they should worship angels, and that they need to rely on the wisdom of an elite few. These problems are consistent with an ancient heresy known as Gnosticism. In response, Paul explains that Christ is supreme, and sufficient for our salvation.