Colossians 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, ²⁵ 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,”

Introduction: In verses 23-24, the Apostle Paul thought of himself as a “servant” of the Lord Jesus as he preached and shared the Gospel throughout the Mediterranean world of his time.  Colossians is one of the “Prison Epistles.”

He reminds us that the suffering he is experiencing in ongoing. Besides what is mentioned in 2 Corinthians 11, we read of:

• Verbal abuse: Acts 13:45; 14:2; 17:13; 18:6; 19:9.
• False allegations: Acts 18: 12-13; 21:27-29.
• Being run out of cities: Acts 13:50.
• Assaults on his life: Acts 14:5-6.
• Beatings: Acts 21:32.
• Betrayal: 2 Timothy 1:15; 4:16.

The term “servant,” is sometimes translated “minister.”  To the faithful Christian, it should be emphasized more of a personal demeanor than that of a positional status.  Paul saw himself as an undeserving servant of Jesus.

We Must Embrace Suffering For Christ (Col. 1:24)

         Paul disciplined his thoughts, keeping in mind the purpose for it all and that suffering he could serve others. “I rejoice on my suffering for your sake,” (Col. 1:24a).

         Concerning verse 24, David Lipscomb writes the following in “A Commentary on the New Testament,

         “At the time of writing the epistle Paul was a prisoner in chains and suffering for them. Because he insisted that the Gentiles should be received into the church without circumcision the Jews persecuted him and pressed the case against him with such bitterness that he was finally sent to Rome where he suffered much affliction. Therefore, he could say, ‘for your sake.’”

         How can suffering be a cause for joy?  Matthew Allen, in his Workbook/Commentary on Colossians writes the following:

• Suffering draws us closer to Christ. When we suffer, our degree of understanding what Jesus went through in His suffering helps us to better relate to Him. It draws us closer to Him.
• Suffering helps us focus on the reward. When we go through trials and anguish our focus on the world to come is sharpened. This world is not our home. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight beyond all comparison, 2 Corinthians 4:17.
• Suffering can lead to the salvation of others. Philippians was also written during a time of imprisonment for Paul and notice how he frames the situation. (Phil. 1:12-14; 1 Peter 3:15-16).

Throughout Christian history we read of countless accounts of the lost coming to Jesus after they have witnessed the suffering and martyrdom of the saints.