SUFFERED FOR YOU / COLOSSIANS 1:24

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(KJV) Colossians 1:24

Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:

Rejoicing in the Remainder: Understanding Colossians 1:24

Have you ever read a verse in the Bible that made you stop completely in your tracks, scratching your head? For many, Colossians 1:24 is exactly that kind of verse.

In it, the Apostle Paul writes: “Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.”

At first glance, the phrase “what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions” sounds startling. It might make us wonder: Was Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross not enough? Did He leave something undone?

The resounding answer from the rest of Scripture is no. When Jesus was on the cross, He cried out, “It is finished!” (John 19:30). Christ suffered on the cross to pay the complete penalty for our offenses against God. His atoning work was perfect, exhaustive, and final.

So, what exactly did Paul mean?

The Sufferings of the Messenger

This verse does not suggest that Christ’s sacrifice for our sins was incomplete in any way, but that Paul continued to suffer for preaching the message about Christ.

There is a vast difference between the atoning sufferings of Jesus and the evangelistic sufferings of His church. Jesus paid the debt for sin, but Paul endured the added sufferings necessary to carry that good news to a spiritually lost world that is deeply hostile to God.

We see this tension from the very beginning of Paul’s ministry. When Jesus stopped Paul (then Saul) on the road to Damascus, He didn’t ask, “Why are you persecuting my church?” He asked, “Why do you persecute me?” (Acts 9:4).

Paul views Christ as still suffering, not to pay for our sins, but in relationship with His people as they continue to serve His purposes. When the Body of Christ hurts, the Head of the Body feels it. As we walk through great difficulty to share the gospel, we are not walking alone; Jesus is intimately bound to our struggles.

Finding Joy in the Hardship

Because of this deep connection, Paul’s perspective on hardship was completely transformed. Instead of wallowing in self-pity or despairing over his chains, Paul rejoices because he is allowed to share in Christ’s sufferings.

He knew that the hostility he faced from the world was proof that he belonged to Jesus. This theme echoes throughout his letters:

He desired to know “the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings” (Philippians 3:10).
He recognized that as Christ’s sufferings overflow into our lives, His comfort overflows just as much (2 Corinthians 1:4-5).
He saw his weak, battered physical body as a fragile “jar of clay” meant to put the brilliant all-surpassing power of God on display (2 Corinthians 4:7, 11:23).

What This Means for Us Today

When you face pushback, isolation, or difficulty for standing up for your faith, remember that you are not experiencing a freak accident. You are participating in a sacred legacy.

The price for salvation has been paid in full, but the price for proclamation still requires sacrifice. Let us press on, willing to pour out our lives so that a hurting world can hear the beautiful news of the Savior who already gave everything.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the complete, perfect, and finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. We rest fully in the truth that our sins are completely paid for by His blood. Today, we pray for the courage of the Apostle Paul. When we face difficulties, trials, or hostility for the sake of the Gospel, remind us that we are never abandoned. Thank You for walking with us intimately in our hardships. Grant us the joy to count it a privilege to share in the afflictions of Christ as we carry His light into a dark world. Empower us by Your Holy Spirit to serve Your purposes faithfully, no matter the cost.

In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

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