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.1
In this last paragraph of chapter 1, Paul shares a word about how he sees the work he is doing for Christ and the Gospel. His ministry is difficult work, bringing with it much hazard and hardship. Paul’s attitude toward the hardship is one of joy. He isn’t seeking glory from the suffering. Rather, he knows that the hardship has a purpose. In that sense he is truly a martyr, one whose witness stands strong through the opposition he experiences. The suffering is, as Paul says, “for your sake,” that others can know Jesus. For that he is joyful.
Paul makes a curious statement that deserves a moment of attention. In verse 24 Paul says that he is “filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions.” If our soteriology is sound (remember that word?), the phrase “lacking in Christ’s afflictions” will stick in our filter. Is Paul suggesting that the death of Jesus was lacking something? Do people like Paul, you or I, need to pick up where Jesus left off and complete the sacrifice for sin? If we are familiar with the witness of the New Testament, including Paul’s writings, we know this isn’t what is on Paul’s mind. As an apostle, Paul sees himself bound to Christ in a way that requires he walk the same kind of path that Jesus walked. He knew that Jesus suffered to complete his mission, and it will be the same for him. Maybe Paul was even aware of what the Lord said to Ananias, saying “I will show (Paul) how much he must suffer for the sake of my name” (Acts 9:16). The suffering Paul will do is not to atone for sin; Jesus already completed that. Paul’s suffering will be for the ongoing mission of the Gospel, something that Jesus left in the hands of apostles and others who would follow in their steps.
From verse 25 forward Paul reflects on the beauty of the ministry he brings, a “stewardship” he received from the Lord. Can we join Paul in beholding the scope of God’s glory, the rich grace God has bestowed upon people of all nations? As a zealous Jew, this would be especially astounding for Paul. His mind was already trained to think of how richly God had poured out mercy upon his own people. To think now that God pours out the same mercy in the same magnitude to ALL people is a beautiful thing to ponder. Being deeply moved by such grace, Paul is consistently renewing his commitment to share this message with everyone possible, and to work with believers so they mature fully in Christ.
Does Paul do this of his own energy? Of course not. It is Christ at work within him (v. 29). In all things it is Christ who gets the glory. Perhaps this level of commitment is inspiring to you. If anyone was “all in” for Jesus, it was Paul. Glory to God for Paul’s work, and for many through the generations who have labored with the same intensity and perseverance for the sake of the Gospel.
- Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ↩︎
The Winding Path 