How can Christ’s death on the cross be sufficient for salvation when Paul speaks of what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ?
Colossians 1:24 "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." Just what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions (Colossians 1:24)?
Colossians 1:24 - 2:5
ESV - 24 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.
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Billy P Eldred
Supporter
Col 1-24 is telling the Collosians that something else is needed for anyone to receive salvation in addition to the sufferings of Christ. He had already told them in the preceding verse what that something was. Colossians 1:23 NIV [23] if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant. He in no way was telling them that Christ's sufferings and death were insufficient to pay for their sins; he was telling them to qualify for that forgiveness of sin that was paid for by Christ, they needed something else. What did they need? Faith! We know that Christ paid for the sins of the whole world (1 John 1: 2), but is everyone in the world saved? No. Only those with faith in Christ. He already did His part. His work is finished, complete, lacking nothing, and it is sufficient for everyone's sin IF they believe and trust in Him, love Him. Paul told them they would receive what was promised IF they had faith, maintained that faith, and held onto that hope. In verse 24, he was telling them that he, himself, was suffering in addition to Christ's sufferings, not because Christ's sufferings were insufficient, but to get them and others everywhere to believe that it was sufficient. That was what was needed from him: to preach the gospel, so more could qualify for the hope he himself had. Faith in Christ. He was further encouraging them to maintain that faith even if, like him, suffering was necessary. As he said elsewhere, finish the race, maintain to the end. Love Jesus, love God, show your faith. Continue to BELIEVE!
Ezekiel Kimosop
Supporter
How can Christ’s death on the cross be sufficient for salvation when Paul speaks of what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ? Colossians 1:24-26 says: "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, 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, 26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints." (NKJV). In Colossians 1:24-29, Paul celebrates the significance of his sacrificial service for Christ. He had suffered multiple afflictions in his missionary journeys to the Gentile people. These are perhaps more prominently outlined in 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 which says: "Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. 24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— 28 besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches." (NKJV). Paul reminded the Colossians that there were sacrifices that God requires of the church to reach out to the lost so that Christ's sacrifice on the cross shall not be in vain. Christ had accomplished the works of atonement at Calvary. It is now upon the church to take the gospel to the world. The gospel effort seeks to fill a divine gap by proclaiming Christ and drawing sinners to God through Him. Paul sought to be counted among those who would endure afflictions to fulfil this divine calling in Christ. This is what was lacking, nay, outstanding. It is the burden that the church must carry until Christ is revealed. Paul's statement in Colossians 1:24 should therefore be understood within the passage context of Colossians 1:24-29 read together with other relevant passages of Scripture. Paul does not imply that Christ's sacrifice at Calvary was insufficient or incomplete! The text simply served to project the enormity of the sacrifices awaiting the ministers of the gospel in taking the gospel to a hostile and difficult world. It underscores the burden and the urgency behind the the Macedonian call. Preaching Christ crucified will cost us resources, time, personal sacrifices, and afflictions. It is not a task for the fainthearted. Matthew 24:14 says, "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come." (NKJV).
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