Colossians 1:24 - Paul's Ministry of Suffering
In Colossians 1:24 – 2:8 Paul tells us four things about his ministry.
1. It is a ministry of suffering (1:24)
2. It is a ministry of preaching (1:25-29)
3. It is a ministry of intercession (2:1-5)
4. It is a ministry of exhortation (2:6-7)
Colossians 1:24 – “Now, I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body (which is the church) in filling up that which is lacking in Christ’s afflictions.”
- “now” – The word carries the idea of “At this precise moment.” That is significant because at the moment in which Paul wrote these words he was in prison. And to make matters worse, was there on a bogus charge. What he is saying is, “Even at a time like this my life is characterized by joy...”
- “in my sufferings” - He didn’t rejoice because he was suffering. But, he was able to rejoice in the midst of suffering.
- “for your sake” – At the time of this writing Paul was in prison because of his work with Gentiles like the people of Colossae.
- “I do my share … in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions” – I think what Paul means by this statement that as he serves and as he suffers for the sake of gospel, Jesus is with him in a special way. As Paul suffers, Jesus is alongside suffering with him. That is one of the first lessons Jesus taught Paul when he asked him on the road to Damascus, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” (Acts 9:4)
(For more detailed notes on Colossians go to http://www.larryreynolds.org-a.googlepages.com/home)
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