What does Colossians 1:24 mean? What is lacking in Christ's afflictions?

[Mark Corbett]

CSB17 Colossians 1:24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I am completing in my flesh what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for his body, that is, the church.


Questions:

1. In what sense was Paul suffering for others?

2. What is lacking in Christ’s afflictions? Was His death on the cross not enough to pay for our sins?

3. What do you think about the Roman Catholic use of this verse to support the doctrine of the “Treasury of Merit”?

4. If this verse doesn’t mean that Paul earned some type of merit for less meritorious saints, and if it doesn’t mean that Jesus’ sacrifice needed a supplement from Paul or others, then what DOES it mean?

5. What do you think about my own answers to these questions in the 9-minute video below?

 

[Van]

Colossians 1:24 (NASB)

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am supplementing what is lacking [fn]in Christ’s afflictions in behalf of His body, which is the church.

Christ's disciples acting as His ambassadors suffer as they carry out Christ's ministry of reconciliation. This is a reference to our jobs in ministry, we play a part according to God's redemption plan. We must partake and share in suffering and that is our honor.

 

[Aaron]

CSB17 Colossians 1:24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I am completing in my flesh what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for his body, that is, the church.


Questions:

1. In what sense was Paul suffering for others?

2. What is lacking in Christ’s afflictions? Was His death on the cross not enough to pay for our sins?

In Christ's afflictions, He was not suffering for sins, but for righteousness' sake, and that is our calling as well.

Who's faith isn't strengthened and emboldened by the courage and forbeance of their brothers following Christ's example in persecution?

 

[Dr. Bob]

This word used here ("afflictions") is NEVER used for the suffering of Jesus on the cross.

Paul is speaking of afflictions in ministry - these were begun by Jesus and Paul is now "afflicted" (he is now in prison). So these are not yet complete and will be completed as ministers - still today - are afflicted in the ministry.