Colossians 1:24 kjv

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:

Colossians 1:24 nkjv

I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church,

Colossians 1:24 niv

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.

Colossians 1:24 esv

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,

Colossians 1:24 nlt

I am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body, the church.

Colossians 1 verses

Colossians 1 24 Meaning

Paul expresses profound joy in his physical sufferings, asserting that through these afflictions in his own body, he is participating in or completing a necessary measure of what pertains to "Christ's afflictions" for the benefit and maturation of the church, which is Christ's body. This is not about supplementing Christ's completed atoning work on the cross, but rather filling the quota of suffering that the mystical body of Christ (the church) must undergo in history, following the pattern set by Christ, to bring the Gospel to fruition and build up His people. Paul’s suffering serves as a powerful demonstration of Christ's life continuing through His people in a hostile world.

Colossians 1 24 Context

Colossians 1 emphasizes the absolute supremacy of Christ over all creation and as the head of the church. He is the preexistent Creator, the Sustainer, and the one in whom all reconciliation is achieved. Paul's own ministry, as described in verses 21-23, is one of reconciliation, presenting everyone "holy and blameless and above reproach" if they continue in faith. Verse 24 directly follows Paul's self-identification as a "minister" (diakonos) of this Gospel, transitioning into the personal cost and nature of his apostolic service. The broader context of Colossians addresses the dangers of false teachings—elements of legalism, asceticism, mysticism, and Gnostic tendencies—that diminish Christ's uniqueness and sufficiency. Paul's statement about suffering legitimizes his true apostleship and implicitly contrasts it with spiritual teachings that promise escape from worldly suffering or disregard the physical reality of Christian experience. His willing embrace of suffering highlights a crucial aspect of discipleship and ministry in the midst of spiritual opposition.

Colossians 1 24 Word analysis

• Now I rejoice: The Greek word is chaíromai (χαίρομαι), indicating deep, profound joy. This joy is not derived from masochism but from spiritual understanding and participation in God's redemptive plan. It contrasts sharply with common human reaction to suffering and underscores the paradoxical nature of the Christian life empowered by the Holy Spirit (cf. Rom 5:3).
• in my sufferings: Pathēmasin (παθήμασιν), refers to what one suffers, endures, or undergoes, often connected to afflictions, tribulations, persecutions, or physical pains. It encompasses the spectrum of hardships faced for the sake of Christ.
• for your sake: Hyper hymōn (ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν), signifying "on behalf of you" or "for your benefit." Paul’s suffering is not self-serving but has a purposeful, vicarious, and ministerial orientation toward the believers in Colossae and the wider church.
• and in my flesh: En tē sarki mou (ἐν τῇ σαρκί μου), refers to Paul's physical body, his human existence on earth, and the tangible, corporeal realm of his experience. It emphasizes that these sufferings are real, bodily hardships, not merely spiritual struggles. This counters any Gnostic tendencies to devalue the physical.
• I am filling up: Antanaplērō (ἀνταναπληρῶ), a strong compound verb meaning "to fill up in return," "to supplement," or "to complete what is lacking in something." The "anti" (ἀντὶ) suggests an exchange or correlation, a reciprocal action. Paul sees his suffering as participating in the suffering that Christ’s body must undergo. It’s a "filling up" of what remains for the body to experience, not for the head to achieve.
• what is lacking: Hysterēmata (ὑστερήματα), meaning "that which is left behind," "what is still needed," "a deficiency," or "remnant." This is a crucial point of interpretation. It absolutely does not refer to any insufficiency in Christ's atoning, redemptive work on the cross, which was once-for-all and perfect (Heb 10:14). Instead, it refers to the historical, experiential measure of suffering that the Body of Christ (the church) is appointed to undergo in its mission to spread the gospel and be fully united with Christ.
• in Christ's afflictions: Tōn thlipseōn tou Christou (τῶν θλίψεων τοῦ Χριστοῦ), signifies "the afflictions of Christ." This refers not to Christ's redemptive sufferings (which ended at the cross), but to the suffering that belongs to Christ's people, or the afflictions directed at Christ Himself through His body, the church. It echoes Acts 9:4, where persecuting Christians is persecuting Christ. The sufferings are "Christ's" because He identifies with His suffering body, and because these afflictions mirror the hostility Christ endured and continue the pattern of suffering necessary for the triumph of the Gospel.
• for the sake of his body, which is the church: Hyper tou sōmatos autou, ho estin hē ekklēsia (ὑπὲρ τοῦ σώματος αὐτοῦ, ὅ ἐστιν ἡ ἐκκλησία). This clarifies the purpose and beneficiary of Paul's suffering. It is wholly for the organic unity and growth of the church, emphasizing the profound, living connection between Christ, Paul (as an apostle), and the collective believers. The suffering fosters maturity, solidifies faith, and serves as an apologetic for the gospel.

Colossians 1 24 Bonus section

• Polemics: This verse implicitly stands against potential Gnostic ideas that might have minimized Christ's true human suffering or promoted a disengagement from the material world. By highlighting his fleshly suffering for the church, Paul reaffirms the reality of physical human experience within redemption and the corporate nature of Christian life. It also served to authenticate his apostolic authority, contrasting it with those who might claim an easier or less demanding path. True apostolic service, according to Paul, included enduring profound suffering.
• Suffering as a Mark of Authentic Discipleship: Colossians 1:24 transforms the conventional understanding of suffering from a negative consequence to a profound privilege. It positions suffering for Christ as a distinguishing characteristic of true discipleship and an indicator of genuine spiritual maturity and union with Christ, aligning with Old Testament themes of prophetic suffering and New Testament calls to take up the cross.
• Union with Christ: The verse strongly emphasizes the organic unity between Christ and His church. Just as Christ suffered for the church, the church now suffers in Christ and for Christ, carrying His redemptive presence into a hostile world. The ongoing suffering of the church, represented acutely in Paul's body, is an outworking of this intimate union.

Colossians 1 24 Commentary

Colossians 1:24 presents a powerful, albeit challenging, concept. Paul's joy in his sufferings is a divine enablement, transforming human agony into spiritual triumph. The critical phrase "filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions" is frequently misunderstood. It is essential to remember that Christ's redemptive work on the cross was perfect and complete, requiring no supplement from any human suffering (Heb 10:14). Therefore, "what is lacking" refers not to a deficit in the atonement but to the divinely appointed measure of suffering that the church—Christ's physical manifestation and representative body on earth—must endure throughout history as it participates in His mission and faces the hostility of the world.

Paul sees his own afflictions as integral to this ongoing historical experience of the Body of Christ. By "filling up" these sufferings, Paul, as an apostle, demonstrates deep solidarity with Christ and the church, acting as a visible expression of Christ’s suffering love for His people. His endurance strengthens the church's faith, legitimizes his apostolic message, and further identifies the church with its Head. These sufferings serve to reveal the life of Christ more fully through His disciples (2 Cor 4:10-11). It's a participatory union where the suffering of the members reflects the pattern set by the Head, ultimately for the church's growth and God's glory.

Examples:

• A missionary facing persecution finds strength in identifying with Paul's and Christ's suffering, understanding their hardships contribute to the global expansion of the Gospel.
• A believer enduring social ostracization for their faith accepts it as a shared experience with the church, drawing closer to Christ who also suffered rejection.
• Pastoral leaders embracing personal sacrifices for their congregations embody a Christ-like pattern of sacrificial service that builds up the body.