Is Paul seriously teaching there is something "lacking" in Christ's affliction?

[chessman]

Colossians 1:24 (NASB) 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. ​

Really, Christ's affiction (His Incarnation, His suffering, His death and His resurrection) is lacking something???

Evidently, yes, with respect to His body (the church) What? More body parts!

We should do our share! The church's share. The brides's and helpmates' share. The body of Christ's share.

We should get up (Edited by staff) and do our part as the 'wife' of Christ. Multiply and fill the Earth with lot's of little church babies. So what, that it is going to involve a little suffering. Aren't babies worth the birthing pains?

Who knows, that new baby might one day grow-up to be the only ligament left that supports the Head.

Colossians 1:18 (NASB) He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.​

 

[Eugene]

Colossians 1:24 (NASB) 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.
Is Paul seriously teaching there is something "lacking" in Christ's affliction?

Dear Brother chessman, the following excerpt written by M. Bodie may help you, and the full study book of Colossians - Correction of the sons of God is available at this URL link below.
http://www.gracegod.com/Study Books/Colossians - Correction of the Sons of God.pdf
NOTE: The Grace and Glory Study books are in PDF format and can be read with the free Adobe Reader .

PRICE OF REIGNING
"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.

Is that not a most significant statement? The apostle suffered for the sake of the assembly of saints of this present age. He suffered for others; not to make atonement, but by way of making known the fullness of the results of the atonement. Observe that these sufferings were purposely left for him and for others. Some saints are to share jointly Christ's throne; therefore, they must jointly share His sufferings. The price of the throne is suffering, but not suffering for our sins nor for our failures or foolishness; but it is suffering because of our faithfulness to God and the Truth. Paul knew what it meant to suffer in this way - a joint partaker with Christ. His flesh suffered. He was tried in every possible way, as we read - "Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place; and labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day" - I Corinthians 4:11-13. He tells us further of the persecutions that he endured for Christ's sake - "Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own country- men, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is offended, and I burn not?" - II Corinthians 11:24- 29.

 

[Jim Parker]

Really, Christ's affiction (His Incarnation, His suffering, His death and His resurrection) is lacking something???

Evidently, yes, with respect to His body (the church)

I think that is what Paul is talking about.
The Church is His body (literally) and the church has suffered afflictions since day one and will continue to suffer until He comes again.

Jhn 16:33
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will[fn] have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

iakov the fool

 

[chessman]

I think that is what Paul is talking about.
The Church is His body (literally) and the church has suffered afflictions since day one and will continue to suffer until He comes again.

Jhn 16:33
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will[fn] have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

iakov the fool

I was always taught (and read it myself), that it is necessary for the church to suffer. But (and it's a big but) Paul suffering because there was (is) something "lacking in Christ's afflictions"???

I missed that one until now.

 

[Nathan]

That verse could also be read like this;

Col 1:24
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is behind in Christ’s tribulation for the sake of his body, that is, the church,

If you look at the context Paul just got done encouraging them to stay in the faith. What is the one main thing that was always a concern for believers in the faith? Tribulation - which is simply "pressure". Pressure from the world around them.

I believe Paul was simply saying that for the sake of the Church, his 'tribulation' - the pressure he is enduring - is a good thing, because the church no longer see's the 'tribulation' that Christ went through. To them, it was a thing of the past, but the example shown in Paul was that it still continues.

So the "lacking" Paul speaks about was simply the tribulation that Christ left when He left this world - but that which continues in the body of Christ here in this world, which is sometimes unseen - but could be seen in Paul's ministry.

 

[chessman]

the "lacking" Paul speaks about was simply the tribulation that Christ left when He left this world - but that which continues in the body of Christ here in this world, which is sometimes unseen - but could be seen in Paul's ministry.

If what He (Jesus Christ) left behind (left lacking) was simply tribulation then why does Paul call it his "share"?

Colossians 1:13-14 (NASB) For He [Jesus] rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. ​

Paul just got thru attributting the rescue, the transfer, the redemption and the forgiveness of sins to Jesus (not Paul). To Jesus' work (suffering and death), not Paul's suffering.

Colossians 1:24 (NASB) 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.​

So what is Paul's suffering accomplishing (exactly) for the sake of rescued, redeemed, and forgiven faithful believers?

 

[Nathan]

Here is how the ESV puts it.

Col 1:24-25
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, 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,

Paul is in no way indicating that he(Paul) is adding to what Christ did. He is simply stating that he is continuing the visual aspect of the tribulation that comes to the body of Christ. Christ first showed this in His suffering, but then He died, was raised, and ascended. However, His body on earth is still being 'formed', and in that body on earth - there is still tribulation - just as there was for Christ Himself.

When you look at the context, look at what Paul just got done saying;

Col 1:21-23
And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

Paul is stating that he is continuing this tribulation, in the same way Christ was afflicted, to show that we must continue and not give up hope. Paul is "accomplishing" a visual basis for believers to see that tribulation exists still, and that there is reason to keep in the faith. In other words, they can see the trouble and affliction being done to Paul, and see that if Paul is going through all of this, just like Christ went through His afflictions, then they can endure the little bit of tribulation they are going through.

 

[chessman]

Here is how the ESV puts it.

Col 1:24-25
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, 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,

Paul is in no way indicating that he(Paul) is adding to what Christ did.

I've looked at the context. Umm, he's "filling up what is lacking". Something is lacking in these faithful believers and saints. And it's not their rescue, transfer, redemption and forgiveness of sins. Christ's work has accomplished that:

Colossians 1:13-14 (NASB) For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. ​

Thus I asked:

So what is Paul's suffering accomplishing (exactly) for the sake of rescued, redeemed, and forgiven faithful believers?

Your answer is:

continuing the visual aspect of the tribulation that comes to the body of Christ.

For what purpose though?
A. For the purpose of their continued rescue, transfer, redemption and forgiveness of sins?

Or

B. For the purpose of their being filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding so that they will walk (suffer even) in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects (both in mind and body), bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God?

 

[Nathan]

I've looked at the context. Umm, he's "filling up what is lacking". Something is lacking in these faithful believers and saints. And it's not their rescue, transfer, redemption and forgiveness of sins. Christ's work has accomplished that:

Colossians 1:13-14 (NASB) For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. ​

Thus I asked:


Your answer is:

For what purpose though?
A. For the purpose of their continued rescue, transfer, redemption and forgiveness of sins?

Or

B. For the purpose of their being filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding so that they will walk (suffer even) in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects (both in mind and body), bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God?

What is lacking is their potential perseverance in the faith. Paul cannot do any of that. It is the potential for them to abandon the faith from persecutions - tribulation. That is what Christ 'left behind'(is lacking) - He no longer, personally, is in tribulation - His body(the church) is.

My answer would be (B), in a way. He continues the thought when he says;

Col 2:1-3
For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face,
that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Paul was 'filling' the example that Christ 'left behind' in which Christ endured the scorn and 'pressure' that was around Him. Continuing this, Paul was showing them that its not futile to continue in the faith when trials and tribulation comes your way.

It all has to do with being an earthly example. Not that Paul can take on himself any role in their sanctification, but he can show them, by his obedience in the face of tribulation, the same way Christ obeyed the Father in His tribulation, that continuing in the faith is not futile.

 

[chessman]

What is lacking is their potential perseverance in the faith.

Humm, Paul gave thanks to God the Father for their faith (v3).

Colossians 1:3-4 (NASB) We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints;​

And Paul gave credit to Jesus (and Him alone) for their rescue, transfer, redemption and forgiveness of sin (v13-14). Paul even gives credit for their reconciliation to Christ's blood (v20).

Yet Paul prayed for their filling of knowledge of His will, spiritual wisdom and understanding (v9). It seems to me (from the context) what was lacking was a full knowledge of His will, spiritual wisdom and understanding not a 'perseverance in the faith'.

So Paul suffered for the purpose of their "perseverance in the faith", in your opinion, even after Paul just got through giving credit for their faith, their rescue and their reconciliation to God (the Father, the Son and the Spirit)?

 

[Nathan]

Humm, Paul gave thanks to God the Father for their faith (v3).

Colossians 1:3-4 (NASB) We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints;​

And Paul gave credit to Jesus (and Him alone) for their rescue, transfer, redemption and forgiveness of sin (v13-14). Paul even gives credit for their reconciliation to Christ's blood (v20).

Yet Paul prayed for their filling of knowledge of His will, spiritual wisdom and understanding (v9). It seems to me (from the context) what was lacking was a full knowledge of His will, spiritual wisdom and understanding not a 'perseverance in the faith'.

So Paul suffered for the purpose of their "perseverance in the faith", in your opinion, even after Paul just got through giving credit for their faith, their rescue and their reconciliation to God (the Father, the Son and the Spirit)?

This is where a person who views faith as a 'once and done' thing misses the point Paul is making. Yes, Paul gave thanks for their faith. If they did not need to continue in it, or grow in it, then he would not have made the comments he made just - immediately - before the statement he made. Its all about context.

Col 1:21-26
And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation. 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, 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, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints.

People are under the impression that to come to Christ is just to believe X+Y=Z - and then keep on going on with their lives. People do not understand that being in Christ is a transformation - a total transformation of heart, mind, and soul.

These believers had received the word of God, which is faith in Christ. But what was 'lacking' was their full development. In order to fully develop, you must continue in the faith until Christ comes or your taken from this world in death. Because this full development takes place under tribulation, it is a good thing that there are those who are 'older' in the faith to look too in seeing how they continue in the faith under this tribulation.

Paul was an exceptional case because he was called specifically into great hardships in delivering the Gospel and making disciples. Upon his conversion he was told specifically that he would suffer for the sake of the Gospel.

Act 9:16 - For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.

He is just giving a reflection of this to the Colossians. He was saying pretty much the same thing he says in Phillipians;

Phl 3:12-18
Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained. Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.

 

[chessman]

If they did not need to continue in it [faith] , or grow in it, then he would not have made the comments he made just - immediately - before the statement he made. Its all about context.

Yes. It's all about context.

Paul's work (Paul's ministry) was for the addition to what was/is left "lacking" (behind) God's work. Namely working on growth in knowledge, not growth in faith. It was Paul's ministry, suffering and prayer (to God) for their continued growth in knowledge, spiritual wisdom a understanding (not growth 'in faith'). Or as he put it, to make fully known the mystery.

Paul leaves no mystery as to Whom they derived their faith from (God, not Paul or not even themselves).

Colossians 1:3-4 2:9-12 (NASB) We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints; ​

...

For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority; and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.​

People are under the impression that the Spirit of Christ is not working on their faith, but Paul is.

People do not understand that being in Christ is a transformation - a transformation of heart, mind, and soul that has been accomplished by God Himself (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). (See Paul's shared wisdom and understanding in 2:9-12, if you don't believe it has been accomplished).

People do not understand that being in Christ is so, so Godly established that a future transformation of our resurrected body (which also will be accomplished by a working of God, not Paul) is firmly sure and (steadfast). It's ashame some people have moved away from the hope of the Gospel toward a hope in their ministry.

Colossians 3:5 (NASB) Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. ​

But for now, we are to simply understand (consider) it as having been accomplished as we gain spiritual wisdom and understanding (or move away from it).

 

[Nathan]

Yes. It's all about context.

Paul's work (Paul's ministry) was for the addition to what was/is left "lacking" (behind) God's work. Namely working on growth in knowledge, not growth in faith. It was Paul's ministry, suffering and prayer (to God) for their continued growth in knowledge, spiritual wisdom a understanding (not growth 'in faith'). Or as he put it, to make fully known the mystery.

Paul leaves no mystery as to Whom they derived their faith from (God, not Paul or not even themselves).

Colossians 1:3-4 2:9-12 (NASB) We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints; ​

...

For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority; and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.​

People are under the impression that the Spirit of Christ is not working on their faith, but Paul is.

People do not understand that being in Christ is a transformation - a transformation of heart, mind, and soul that has been accomplished by God Himself (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). (See Paul's shared wisdom and understanding in 2:9-12, if you don't believe it has been accomplished).

People do not understand that being in Christ is so, so Godly established that a future transformation of our resurrected body (which also will be accomplished by a working of God, not Paul) is firmly sure and (steadfast). It's ashame some people have moved away from the hope of the Gospel toward a hope in their ministry.

Colossians 3:5 (NASB) Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. ​

But for now, we are to simply understand (consider) it as having been accomplished as we gain spiritual wisdom and understanding (or move away from it).

Paul did not say there was anything lacking in God's work. Where do you suppose faith comes from? God of course, but through hearing correct? Yes, through hearing. Hearing what? Good question, hearing the word of Christ. Ah, so is faith associated with the knowledge of Christ? Yes, seems so. Without knowledge, there is nothing to hear, without hearing, there is no faith.

I think your making the sentence that Paul writes more complicated than it is. Its simple really. Faith grows in a believer(or at least it should).

Eph 3:7-13
Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power.
To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.

Paul's affliction was directly related to his faith in Christ. That's the whole point. Paul is saying, "look at me, look at the things that God is putting me through, yet He sustains me just like He did Christ and the things He went through - He will also sustain you, so keep in the faith".