Colossians 1:24

PAUL'S MINISTRY

(Colossians 1:24 to Colossians 2:5)

1.

Attitudes in Paul's ministry; (Colossians 1:24)

a.

Joy

b.

Dedication to suffering

2.

Source of Paul's ministry; (Colossians 1:25)

(It was a stewardship from God given to him.)

3.

The new message in Paul's ministry; (Colossians 1:26-27)

a.

It had been hidden for ages; Colossians 1:26 a

b.

It was now manifested to the saints; Colossians 1:26 b - Colossians 1:27 a

c.

The message is Christ in you; Colossians 1:27 b

4.

Activities in Paul's ministry; (Colossians 1:28 a)

a.

Proclaiming Christ

b.

Admonishing and teaching

5.

The effort in Paul's ministry; (Colossians 1:29; Colossians 2:1)

(It was a striving, according to Christ's working within him.)

6.

Goals in Paul's ministry; (Colossians 1:28 b; Colossians 2:2-3)

a.

To present every man perfect in Christ; Colossians 1:28 b

b.

That their hearts be comforted; Colossians 2:2

c.

That they be knit together;

(1)

Knit in love.

(2)

Knit unto the riches of full understanding.

d.

That they know God's mystery, which is Christ; Colossians 1:3 (In him are all treasures hidden.)

7.

Paul's personal involvement in his ministry; (Colossians 2:4-5)

a.

He desired that they be not deceived; Colossians 2:4

b.

He was present with them in spirit; Colossians 2:5

Outline of 1:24-2:5

C.

CHRISTThe goal of Paul's ministry; Colossians 1:24-29; Colossians 2:1-5

Observe in this section how every facet of Paul's ministry was related to Christ:

(1)

Paul sought to fill up the afflictions of CHRIST in his flesh. Colossians 1:24.

(2)

The message which Paul was given to preach was, in brief, CHRIST in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27.

(3)

Paul labored to present every man perfect in CHRIST, Colossians 1:28.

(4)

In CHRIST are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, about which Paul worked to tell people. Colossians 2:3.

(5)

Paul rejoiced to see the stedfastness of people's faith in CHRIST. Colossians 2:5.

This section (Colossians 1:24-29; Colossians 2:1-5) is impossible to outline in twentieth century outline forms, if a purely grammatical analysis is used as a basis for the outline. Therefore we give only the expository outline on page 160.

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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 church;

Translation and Paraphrase

24. Now I rejoice in the sufferings (I endure) in behalf of you; and (by my sufferings) I fill up the things that are lacking of the sufferings of Christ (which he appointed unto me, that I may repay in turn the benefits which Christ conferred on me by filling up the measure of the sufferings appointed unto him. These sufferings I fill up) in my flesh for the sake of his (Christ'S) body, which is the church.

Notes

1.

Colossians 1:24 begins a new section, in which Paul discusses his ministry of the gospel. In this Paul discusses his privilege (the privilege of suffering for Christ) and his task (the task of making known the mystery of God among the Gentiles).

2.

Paul characterizes his ministry first of all as a work of joyful sufferings for the sake of the Colossians. When we are experiencing the joy of serving others, we scarcely notice the exertions and strains that are often required. Thus Paul rejoiced in his sufferings. Ephesians 3:13; 2 Timothy 2:10.

3.

Paul considered his various sufferings as part of a necessary and welcome process of filling up the quota of the afflictions of Christ that had been appointed unto him.

Colossians 1:24 does not indicate that Paul felt that he had to endure as much suffering as Christ himself endured. This is so obviously beyond human attainment (even for Paul!) that the very idea smacks of mental imbalance.

Rather Paul indicates that he knew that Christ had appointed unto him to endure certain things in his flesh, and he joyfully sought to fill up his cup of sufferings. Jesus once said of Saul (Paul), I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name's sake. (Acts 9:16). Thus the expression the afflictions of Christ means the afflictions appointed to me by Christ.

Paul felt that he yet lacked some in filling up the sufferings that he ought to bear, and he joyfully faced any difficulty for the sake of Christ's body the church. Ephesians 1:23; Colossians 1:18.

4.

Paul describes his own sufferings as the afflictions of Christ. While this phrase refers to Paul's own sufferings that Christ had appointed for him, it also has a deeper meaning. That which hurts Christ's body the church (of which Paul was a member) also hurts Christ. Christ is touched with the feeling of our infirmities. Acts 22:7; Hebrews 4:15. When Paul suffered, Christ suffered; when we suffer, Christ is afflicted.

5.

The verb fill up (antanapleroo) means to fill up in turn. Paul speaks here of suffering as if it were measured out in cupfuls. Christ by his life filled up his cup of suffering; he endured all that was required of him, so that we might be saved. Now we in turn fill up our cup of service and suffering for the sake of Christ and his church to repay (in a small degree) what Christ did for us.

Study and Review

1.

What attitude did Paul have in his sufferings? (Colossians 1:24)

2.

For whom did Paul Suffer?

3.

What did Paul seek to fill up?

4.

Does Paul say in Colossians 1:24 that he was trying to suffer as much as Christ suffered? If not, what does he mean be fill up. that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh?