The Epistle to the Colossians

1. Col 1:24 – “I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church,” Presumably now Paul’s rejoicing in his sufferings for the church? now is current and implies during his imprisonment. Lightfoot - "The underlying nun (now) seems to be this: 'If ever I have been disposed to repine at my lot, if ever I have felt my cross almost too heavy to bear, yet now, —now, when I contemplate the lavish wealth of God's mercy—now when I see all the glory of bearing a part in this magnificent work—my sorrow is turned into joy." Commenting on the. words, "now, I rejoice," Is this how we react? fill up in my fleshwhat is lacking – on his own part, but still not to the extent that Christ suffered for the church. But isn’t this identification? How do the afflictions (thlipsis) of Christ relate here? The Epistle to the Colossians Col 1: 24-26 Paul’s Ministry and the Church April 14, 2019 Bob Eckel 1

2. Are these afflictions related to the cross and/or all that preceded it? Wuest - thlipsis, is never used of the vicarious sufferings of the Lord Jesus. Is not Christ the church? 1 Cor 12:12 - For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. Of interest, Johnson says that ‘this verse is probably the most controversial in the letter.’ Constable states 4 possible interpretations : "Christ's afflictions" refers to the quota of sufferings the church must undergo corporately before the end of the age (Matt. 24:6; Heb. 11:40; Rev. 6:11). Paul was saying his sufferings were similar to Christ’s. The sufferings of Christ to which Paul referred are those sacrificial. When believers suffer, Christ also suffers because He indwells us (Acts 9:4). Phil 1:12 - But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened The Epistle to the Colossians Col 1: 24-26 Paul’s Ministry and the Church April 14, 2019 Bob Eckel 2

3. to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, McCalley – ‘The sufferings of the believer are seen as a continuation of this world’s quarrel with Jesus Christ.’ John 15:18-21 - “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. “If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. “But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.” How often do we go there? Col 1:25 – “of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God,” The Epistle to the Colossians Col 1: 24-26 Paul’s Ministry and the Church 3 April 14, 2019 Bob Eckel

4. became in the NAS is made No matter which is used, the tense is middle component – implies active Is this important? minister – one who executes the commands of another. according to the stewardshipfrom God stewardship or dispensation (literally - law of the household)? Paul was servant of the church but the steward of God. 1 Cor 4:1 - Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. which was given to me for you, Notice the ministry (diakonos, a servant) was given – by whom? And for what purpose? to fulfill (cause to abound) the word (logos) of God How was or is this done today, is it preaching only? Eph 3:8,9 - To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the The Epistle to the Colossians Col 1: 24-26 Paul’s Ministry and the Church 4 April 14, 2019 Bob Eckel

5. beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; 2 Thess 3:1 - Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, Col 1:26 – “the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints.” What’s a mystery in the NT? Refers to a truth previously unknown but now revealed by God. Also pertained to the secret ceremonies of pagan cults. has been hidden from ages and from generations How far back? Rom 16:25 - Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began. Eph 3:5 - which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: The Epistle to the Colossians Col 1: 24-26 Paul’s Ministry and the Church 5 April 14, 2019 Bob Eckel

6. Why did God wait so long? but now has been revealed to His saints. But hasn’t it been revealed to all? But by their faith the saints (church) are the chosen ones! Col 1:27 will be studied next week! Isaiah 53:1 - Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? The Epistle to the Colossians Col 1: 24-26 Paul’s Ministry and the Church 6 April 14, 2019 Bob Eckel