Colossians 1:24 to 2:5

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Scripture 1:24-2:5

24 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, 25 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, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 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. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

2 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. 5 For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.[1]



Devotion

            The first verse of our section presents us with a problem for interpretation. “…In my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body…” What does Paul mean here? There almost as many answers as there are commentators. We shall go with the following explanation “When Paul says he is filling up what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, he isn’t saying that Jesus’ suffering on the cross was insufficient. Paul was enduring suffering on behalf of Christ. The world hated Jesus Christ; and now that he is not around to persecute, they persecute his followers (see John 15:18–21). Paul’s attitude is Jesus took the blows meant for me; I’ll take the blows meant for him. Suffering brings about an identification with the Savior that nothing else can (see Phil. 3:10).[2]

            Paul is taking upon himself blows that were meant for Christ thus filling up the affliction of Christ. Paul became a minister for God’s sake taking the responsibility for teaching and preaching God’s word until it was fully known among the Jews and Gentiles. Paul speaks of the mystery of Christ which is in you the hope of glory.

            Paul states that this proclamation that Christ is in all and above all is the work which is proclaiming Christ to those who are near and those who are far off. He teaches everyone this ministry which is the good news of Christ’s death and resurrection.

            Next Paul indicates how much he prays and works for the church at Colossae and Laodicea whom he has not had the opportunity to visit in person. Going on to state that He constantly remembers and indeed struggles for these churches that they may be found to be following the true gospel and have not fallen prey to the false teachings that are circulating in the area. Paul goes on to state while absent in the body he is present in the Spirit for their situation.
            Paul wants them to know the great energy he is expending on their behalf for the Gospel. And the hope he has in Christ because of the good reports he is receiving from his fellow workers about the genuineness of their faith

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Col 1:24–2:5.
[2] Max Anders, Galatians-Colossians, vol. 8, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 285.

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