Colossians 1:24-2:3

The Gospel’s Goal

Colossians 1:24 (NKJV)

24 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,

What does Paul mean when he says that he wants to “fill up in [his] flesh what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions”? Is he saying that Jesus’s death was somehow incomplete or insufficient?

The word that is translated as afflictions here in our Bibles is the Greek word thlipsis. Apparently, this word is never used in reference to Christ’s death. Thlipsis means distress, pressure, oppression, tribulation or trouble.

According to the BKC, Paul is not speaking of salvation here, but of service. Suffering, for Christians, is a calling and must become an expectation (1 Peter 3:13–14; 5:9; Heb. 10:32; Phil. 1:29). Furthermore, think about this, when we - followers of Christ - suffer for Jesus, He also suffers (Acts 9:4). We are the Body of Christ.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary (1:24)

By this he did not mean that Christ’s suffering on the cross was insufficient (cf. Rom. 3:21–26; Heb. 10:10–14). He was speaking not of salvation but of service. Christ’s suffering alone procures salvation (1 Peter 1:11; 5:1; Heb. 2:9). But it is a believer’s privilege to suffer for Christ (2 Tim. 3:11; 1 Peter 3:13–14; 5:9; Heb. 10:32). The word “affliction” (thlipsis)—never used in the New Testament of Christ’s death—means “distress,” “pressure,” or “trouble” (which Paul had plenty of; 2 Cor. 11:23–29). Ordinarily it refers to trials in life, not the pains of death. Christ does indeed continue to suffer when Christians suffer for Him. He asked Saul (later called Paul) on the Damascus Road, “Why do you persecute Me?” (Acts 9:4) Since the church is Christ’s body, He is affected when it is affected. For the sake of Christ’s body Paul willingly suffered (Phil. 1:29).

Colossians 1:25–27 (NKJV)

Colossians 1:25–27 (NKJV)

25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God,

26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints.

27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

What is the “mystery” that Paul refers to in these verses?

In Romans 11:25, Paul uses the word mystery to describe how God saves Jew and Gentile alike. ANd to some degree it is mysterious and difficult to understand how some people get it and others don’t. Paul uses this same word in his letter to the Ephesian church (Eph. 3:3-7). Here’s the mystery, Jews thought that they were the only ones invited to the party and then Gentiles showed up with invitation in hand.

We are going to come to the same realization some day. There are people we think are far from God, so messed up, so NOT like us that they will never see the fullness of God’s kingdom. And on the day we stand before God to receive our rewards we’ll see some of those people we gave up on getting theirs as well.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 1:25–26

The church was unknown in the Old Testament because it had been kept hidden for ages and generations. In fact, said Paul, it is only now disclosed to the saints. Since the church is Christ’s body, resulting from His death on the cross, it could not possibly have been in existence in the Old Testament.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 1:25–26

The “mystery” of the church, however, does not mean that Gentile salvation and blessing was unforeseen before Christ (cf. Luke 2:29–32; Amos 9:11–12). The mystery was not that Gentiles would be saved but how they could be “fellow-heirs” (Eph. 3:6, KJV), on the same level with Jews, with no middle wall of partition between them (Eph. 2:12–14).

Colossians 1:28-29

Colossians 1:28–29 NKJV

28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. 29 To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.

Key phrases in these two verses are “every man”. Paul uses this phrase 3x in verses 28 & 29. Going back to the mystery once hidden now revealed among the Gentiles, Paul makes it clear that the “hope of Glory” which is Jesus Christ indwelling both Jew and Gentile. Romans 10:11-13.

Romans 10:11–13 NKJV

11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Colossians 2:1-3

Colossians 2:1–3 NKJV

1 For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Paul had a strong desire to see the Christians in Colossae & Laodicea face to face, but being in prison hindered that. However, he still encourages them to “be knit together in love” and coming to the fullest realization and experience of what God has made available to all who follow Christ.

I like the idea of being knit together in love. What do you think Paul means? How can we as a church be “knit together in love”?

Ephesians 4:16 “16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”

“The welcome a community offers to visitors is an extension of the welcome its members offer each other. If our heart is open to our brothers and sisters, it will also be open to others” (Called to Community, p309).