Last week we considered Paul’s Christological masterpiece in Colossians 1:15-23. Oh what a beautiful passage! This week we move to 1:24-2:5, where Paul continues his theme of Christocentrism, but does so with an emphasis on what it looks like to serve him faithfully.

Paul begins by describing his own ministry, which sets the example he sets for all ministers of Christ. His goal was, and our goal should be, to hear “well done, good and faithful servant” after our life of service (Matt 25:23). Scott Pace echoes this point, “The measure of our success in life, and certainly in ministry, is ultimately summarized by one standard in God’s kingdom—faithfulness.”[1] This passage teaches us what faithful servants of Jesus do. They suffer as servants of the church, they strive for the mission of the church, and they strengthen the members of the church.[2]

Suffer as Servants of the Church (1:24-25)

Paul begins this section, “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” (1:24-25).

Faithful servants of Jesus should expect suffering. “If the world hates you, keep in mind it hated me first” Jesus said in John 15:18. We should also expect suffering to come at the hands of a broken and fallen world. “In this world you will have tribulation,” Jesus says, “but take heart, for I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Notice that Paul says he rejoices in his suffering. He knows that these tribulations are to be expected. But that is not why he rejoices in them. He rejoices in them because he knows that they are doing something! I am suffering “for your sake,” he says, and “I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions.” What does Paul mean here?

Likely, he believes his suffering to be for the benefit of the Colossians, and for all the churches that he has ministered to, for that matter. Suffering is a part of Paul’s ministry. And therefore, anyone who benefits from his ministry benefits from his suffering. His suffering is a testimony to the worth and beauty of Christ, and a testimony to God’s power, considering all that he is accomplishing through Paul even in his weakness and suffering.

Paul also sees his suffering in an eschatological sense. He doesn’t believe it to be adding to the suffering Jesus experienced on the cross, as if in some way he was contributing to Christ’s work on our behalf. Rather, he sees the limited nature of the suffering of all God’s people and recognizes that any suffering he experiences is a part of that limited suffering that will one day end. He sees his own sufferings as a part of the water filling the cup, that once it reaches the brim, will lead to the ultimate salvation and vindication of God’s people.

When we suffer for Christ at the hands of the world or at the hands of sinful and fallen humanity, we have the opportunity to serve Christ and his church. Our suffering is never meaningless, it is a part of our ministry to the body of Christ. He uses it to advance his kingdom and usher in his second coming. Therefore, like Paul, we can rejoice in them!

Strive for the Mission of the Church

Second, faithful servants of Christ strive for the mission of the church. What is that mission? In v. 25, Paul said that he became a minister to “make the word of God fully known.” He explains what that means in the next verse, “the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints,” which he identifies as Christ (v. 27, 2:2).

In other words, Paul sees his ministry as preaching Jesus- the mystery of God, who was prophesied and anticipated by God’s people throughout the Old Testament, who has now been revealed. “Him we proclaim,” Paul says in 1:28, “that we may present everyone mature in Christ.” Notice how his ministry consists of and centers upon Jesus, the mystery now revealed. This is why Paul can sum up his ministry succinctly, “We preach Christ crucified” (1 Cor 1:23).

Faithful servants of Jesus have two primary callings: to make Christ known, and to help those who know him grow into maturity in their relationship with him. We must be committed to evangelism and discipleship. This mission must undergird everything the church does. It is to be the consuming mission of our lives, all to be done with an eye towards the day that we are made fully mature in Christ. “We will be like him because we will see him as he is” (1 John 3:2).

Strengthen the Members of the Church

Faithful servants of Jesus also labor to strengthen the members of the church. Paul concludes this section with a personal note to the Colossians, with reference to the Laodiceans, both congregations that he has not seen face to face (2:1). He tells them that he has struggled on their behalf and that his desire is to see them encouraged and established in love for one another (2:2).

Yet he doesn’t want them to have a love that is separated from doctrine. He longs for them to deepen in their knowledge of Christ, “to reach all the riches of full assurance of understand and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (v. 3).

He does warn them, however, that it is possible to be deluded with “plausible arguments,” again reminding them of the importance that they have love and doctrine. In the midst of such a possibility, Paul strengthens the Colossians by affirming that they are already standing firm in Christ (2:5). He doesn’t rebuke them, he encourages them! Sometimes such encouragement goes a lot farther than criticism. He fans the flame of their faith that it might burn all the brighter.

Conclusion

Faithful servants of Jesus suffer as servants of the church, strive for the mission of the church, and strengthen the members of the church. It is important to note that Paul uses the first person singular “I” as well as the plural “we” throughout this section. Everyone who trusts Christ is called to serve his church! Is this how you serve the body of Christ, with the gifts, talents, and time that God has given you? Is this the goal of your service? To help people come to know Christ and mature in him! If so, praise God! Keep serving faithfully, and you too, will one day hear “well done, good and faithful servant!”

Here are my notes and outline for this passage:

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[1] R. Scott Pace, “Colossians,” in Exalting Jesus in Colossians and Philemon, ed. David Platt, Daniel L. Akin, and Tony Merida, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2021), 41.1

[2] Outline adapted from Ibid., Highly recommend this commentary for Colossians. It is great for preachers, teachers, and lay-people alike!