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?

Continue reading “How to Faithfully Serve Christ’s Church (Colossians 1:24-2:5)” →