Clarity: Colossians 1:24-29

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, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. (Colossians 1:24-29 ESV)


Preeminent in Paul’s Ministry
How foolish it would have been for Paul to suffer for a Christ who was only an “emanation”! Why risk death to tell people that Jesus Christ is not preeminent! Paul’s first words when he saw the glorified Savior were, “Who are You, Lord?” The lordship of Christ — His preeminence over all things — was the heartbeat of Paul’s life and ministry. (Weirsbe)

I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions – Paul is not trying to say that his sufferings were a part of Jesus’ suffering on the cross. Paul was actually experiencing the same type of suffering as Jesus did through His earthly ministry. Christ’s enemies were still around and they took out their hatred for Jesus on those who building up the church. Check out 2 Corinthians 11:24-27,

Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers;  in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.

Paul next described “the mystery” — that truth about Christ and the church that had been hidden in times past but was now revealed. Ephesians 3:4-6,

When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Another time when Paul proclaimed to the Judaizers that the Gentiles were equal to Jews in the heart of God.

Actually, Paul speaks of a three-fold mystery:

(1) the mystery of the church, Col_1:24-26; 

(2) of the indwelling Christ, Col_1:27, (This may be my favorite verse in the Bible)

(3) of the Person of Christ, the fullness of God, Col_2:2-3. (Wait for July 11th!)

Paul had a balanced ministry: he preached, taught, and warned; he sought to take the truth to all people, not just a few; and his goal was to present each believer mature (perfect) in Christ.

Christian perfection is not sinlessness, but maturity — growing up unto Christ in all things. The whole theme of Colossians is “Christ is all you need.” We are made full in Him, and that is all that is needed! How tragic when Christians substitute man-made rules, disciplines, and rituals for the fullness we have in Christ!
Paul did not run his ministry by his own power: God worked in him, and then he worked for God.
Remember this great passage from our “Impressions” series?

I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. (Philippians 1:12-13)

We will close with a couple of verses where Paul was teaching a similar lesson to the Ephesians.

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

“I’m Glad That’s Cleared Up!”:  It’s Jesus’ energy and it’s Jesus’ powerful works. He never uses the wrong tool for the job.  He works in you , through you, and as you, but it’s never about you. It’s the hope of glory!

Outline heavily influenced by Warren Weirsbe's Expository Outlines.