WHAT IS STILL LACKING? (Col 1:24)
Dr. Paul Manuel—2000
In Paul's letter to the Colossian Christians, he suggests there is a deficiency in what Jesus accomplished on the cross.
Paul believed in the sufficiency and exclusivity of Jesus' atonement, making clear that nothing man does can match what Jesus' death accomplished.2 Therefore, the apostle must intend something else by his statement to the Colossians. Indeed, when we examine Paul's writings, we see his eschatological perspective. He viewed current events, especially suffering, as a means of linking us with what Jesus did in the past and with what God will do in the future.
The first result of this linkage is the benefit we derive.
The second result of this linkage is the benefit others derive.
Paul's commitment to God cost him dearly, for he experienced considerable hardship because of his faith.4 Nevertheless, Paul's situation was not unique. All believers face the prospect of suffering for their faith.5 Paul writes that...
Col 1:24 Now I rejoice in what was suffered 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.This seems to contradict what the author of Hebrews states,1
Heb 10:10 ...we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.... 12a ...this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins.... 14 because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.... 18b ...there is no longer any sacrifice for sin.How can such a discrepancy exist in scripture? What is still lacking in regard to Christ's affliction?
Paul believed in the sufficiency and exclusivity of Jesus' atonement, making clear that nothing man does can match what Jesus' death accomplished.2 Therefore, the apostle must intend something else by his statement to the Colossians. Indeed, when we examine Paul's writings, we see his eschatological perspective. He viewed current events, especially suffering, as a means of linking us with what Jesus did in the past and with what God will do in the future.
The first result of this linkage is the benefit we derive.
- Our suffering unites us with Jesus' suffering and makes possible our resurrection.3
Phil 3:10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
- Our suffering unites us with Jesus' suffering and makes possible our glorification.
Rom 8:17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.Jesus' suffering for the kingdom was part of God's unfolding plan, a plan that has not yet run its full course. Our suffering for the kingdom makes us part of that plan, continuing what Jesus did and ultimately resulting in benefit for us.
The second result of this linkage is the benefit others derive.
- Our suffering continues Jesus' work by giving comfort to others.
2 Cor 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 5 For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.
- Our suffering continues Jesus' work by giving hope to others.
2 Cor 4:7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.It is in this second sense, the benefit to others, that Paul portrays his suffering to the Colossians.
Col 1:24 Now I rejoice in what was suffered 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. 25 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness—26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints.Paul's afflictions for their sake are a continuation of Jesus' work, which will not see its fulfillment until God's plan has run its full course. Paul is not suggesting that God needs him to reach the goal, only that God is using Paul to reach the goal. Likewise, Paul is not implying that his suffering has the same redemptive value Jesus' suffering had, only that God is using Paul to publicize redemption and that others are benefiting.
Paul's commitment to God cost him dearly, for he experienced considerable hardship because of his faith.4 Nevertheless, Paul's situation was not unique. All believers face the prospect of suffering for their faith.5 Paul writes that...
2 Tim 3:12 ...everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.Therefore, when Paul suggests there is something lacking in Jesus' atoning work, he is not speaking soteriologically, as if Jesus' sacrifice were insufficient to obtain forgiveness of sin, but eschatologically, of the place in God's plan for believers to follow in the footsteps of their master by investing their lives, even at great personal loss, in order to advance the kingdom.
For a pdf with the Endnotes see here.
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