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NASB | Colossians 1:24 ¶ Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Colossians 1:24 ¶ Now I rejoice in my sufferings on your behalf. And with my own body I supplement whatever is lacking [on our part] of Christ's afflictions, on behalf of His body, which is the church. |
Bible Question: What was this that still remained of Christ's aflictions that Paul needed to complet |
Bible Answer: Yes, I agree with Doc, So to explain more deeply, I am sending you an excerpt from a sermon by Pastor Chuck Smith, founder of Calvary Chapel in Cosa Mesa, CA. to wit: Now, this is a very difficult scripture to understand. Then I will frankly confess to you, I am not certain that I do understand the full implications of it. Does seem that Paul is saying that, in some way, he is completing the afflictions of Christ in his own body, for Christ's body sake, the church. Now, it can only be understood if we understand the relationship of Jesus to His church or the relationship of Jesus to you. Whatever reproach you bear for your faith in Jesus Christ is really reproach that is being directed at Jesus. Whatever suffering you bear for Jesus Christ's sake, that suffering is being directed at Jesus. And so, Paul recognized that these beatings that he received, the stonings that he received, the suffering that he was subject to, and the imprisonment and all, were because of man's animosities against Jesus Christ. So that he was suffering for Christ's sake; he was in prison for Christ's sake. He was actually taking the sufferings of Jesus Christ, or the reproaches of Christ, the feelings that man had in his natural heart against Jesus. The hatred that man had against Jesus, Paul was privileged to bear it. "I rejoice that I can bear these things that are directed at Jesus, that I have this privilege of filling up the afflictions of Jesus. That is, that the feelings that man have of antagonism towards Jesus are directed at me, and I'm able to take them for Him." And Jesus so identifies with us, that He shares with us in this suffering. He said, "Count it all joy when you fall into diverse temptations, trials" (James 1:2). "Don't count it a strange thing concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing has happened to you. Rejoice!" (1 Peter 4:12) "Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake and for the gospel's, for great is your reward in heaven, for so persecuted they the prophets that were before you" (Matthew 5:10-12). So, filling up of the sufferings of Christ. Man, the natural man, still hates Jesus, and as you stand there before Him as His representative, you receive his abuse that he is really directing in his heart towards Jesus. Now, they counted it a privilege that they were able to do that. They rejoiced that they were able to take that suffering for Christ's sake. Don't take it personally. A lot of times we are so sensitive. Someone says something and we take it personally, as though they're directing it at us. No, it's being directed at Christ. And it's because that I'm Christ's representative that I'm standing there and receiving it. And if I look at it that way, then I can rejoice, Lord, that you've counted me worthy to suffer for Your sake as did the apostles in Acts, chapter four. Lord, oh my, You counted us worthy to suffer for You. So, I . . . now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of [in that I am receiving the afflictions that are directed at] Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church: whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God (Col 1:24-25); So, Paul is been made a minister, according to God's plan to fulfill the word of God. Blessings to you and yours, |
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Questions and/or Subjects for Col 1:24 | Author | ||
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LuckyCharm | ||
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wo'nyagem | ||
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DocTrinsograce | ||
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Tim3:16 |