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COLOSSIANS - Christ in you, the hope of glory!
Studies in the Letter of Paul to the Colossians
Part 1 - The Foundations of Christian Faith (Colossians 1:1-29)
7. The Suffering of Paul for his Churches and the Mystery of the Gospel (Colossians 1:23c-29)
Colossians 1:23c-24
23c …of which I, Paul, was made a servant. 24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and fill up on my part that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the assembly;
Paul described himself as a minister of Christ, who, in his pursuit of Jesus, was being “dragged through the filth by his adversaries”. The apostle had overcome the misery of his suffering, however, in the power of Jesus, and could testify that he rejoiced at heart when he, as a result of his preaching the gospel to non-Jews, was persecuted, reviled and imprisoned. During his long imprisonment he was no longer free to travel throughout the Roman Empire to evangelize. He lived continuously under the watch of prison guards, while still having permission to receive guests under their surveillance. He could also write letters and pray together with those helping him. Under these circumstances he could write the Colossians, in the joy and consolation of the Holy Spirit, that he was enduring this imprisonment also for the sake of their faith.
A hidden cause of his joy consisted in the fact that he knew that Jesus is the head of His church, and we, His followers, make up His spiritual body. All that I have to endure for His name´s sake is first felt by my spiritual head. He suffers with me and for me. He loves me and cares for me. When I am despised, slandered and endure beatings, hunger and thirst for His sake, these vexations are a part of the filling up of the suffering of my risen Lord. Jesus has already fulfilled our salvation on the cross, enduring overwhelming pain. The spirit ruling the world, however, hates the living and ruling Son of God, including all who believe in Him. This spirit of darkness tries to destroy His church from within and from without. Therefore, the sufferings of the Apostle Paul and the deaths and perils of innumerable martyrs amount to a filling up of the sufferings of Jesus. This affliction, piling up from generation to generation, is inevitably bringing about the last judgment (Matt. 10:17, 22; 24:9; Acts 14:22; Rom. 8:17-18; Rev. 6:11; 14:13).
Paul had previously, while still living in freedom, written some rather unusual sentences: “We glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Rom. 5:3-5; 2 Cor. 4:17). The apostle knew that natural man does not gladly deny himself. Therefore, Jesus allows His followers to suffer from time to time, that they might die to their proud and oversensitive “I”. That is only possible, however, when the power of Jesus works in them. Jesus suffers and bears with us when we are forced to overcome our own hatred and arrogance towards our enemies. Paul himself had to practice patience during his long incarceration, while exercising sincere love for his enemies. He trusted, nevertheless, in the presence of Jesus with him during his imprisonment, and grew in the hope of the future glory. He recognized that his suffering for the sake of Jesus, along with his prayers, was contributing to the expediting and building up of the churches.
Prayer: Lord, Your servant Paul suffered much in Your service. You, however, helped carry his burden. Today many converts to Christ are being persecuted. You, however, are with them and suffer with them. Strengthen every one in love and patience who is suffering for Your name´s sake, so that Your spiritual body will grow and that You will be glorified therein. Amen.
Question 27: Why are our sufferings in Jesus´ name at the same time His sufferings?