24Now 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.
Thoughts: Paul certainly has a unique view of struggle and suffering. He seems to view everything through gospel lenses whereby he sees the eternal importance and purpose of events. His life is so driven by a desire to glorify God and be part of his salvation narrative that the sufferings of this world are put into greater perspective. There is plenty we can learn from Paul in this regard.
This week I want to explore chapter 1 verse 24 (“I fill in my flesh what was lacking in Christs afflictions”) in a little more depth as this is a difficult piece of scripture and can be open to misinterpretations. Lets start with what this verse does not mean. The death and resurrection of Christ is perfect for the forgiveness of sins, the salvation of souls and the reconciliation of the broken. It does not lack anything and nothing needs to be added to it. This is a repeated theme throughout Pauls writings, the gospels, and scripture in general. So, Paul is NOT saying that the cross is lacking or that we need the cross “plus” suffering for personal salvation. We are saved by grace, not works.
Whatever you think of this particular verse, one thing is absolutely clear: As Christians we are called to suffer joyfully and with perseverance for the sake of Christ and his church. It is also clear that this experience both binds us even more closely to Christ and also serves to bring him glory. We are bound with Christ in everyway. We are bound to him in his life and mission, and we are bound to him in his suffering and death, and this gives us great assurance that we are also bound to him in his resurrection and victory (Phil 3:10-11). The promise of God was never that we would be free from suffering but that in the depths of that suffering he will be enough to sustain us. Verses such as this one, although mysterious, still speak to the deep significance and importance of suffering in the Christian life.
That said, I think there are several compelling interpretations of this verse. I have included an article by Sam Storms in the further reading section that presents several of these views. Although we may not know Pauls exact intention this side of heaven I will present is the one I am most persuaded by.
Although the work of salvation was completed on the cross the process of those afflictions being “presented” to the world was just beginning. One of the most powerful presentations of the gospel is when Christians suffer (share in the afflictions of Christ) and in the depth of their suffering are able to point to Jesus as their hope and the source of deep joy that will sustain them through the suffering. It is easy to say “praise God” when everything is going well but much harder in the depth of pain and despair. But when we are able to do this, it presents the gospel as a real and life changing truth that transcends worldly issues and makes God look glorious! The fact that Paul is able to suffer so much and still give glory to God is a great presentation of the hope of the gospel. The same is true today. To have the bottom fall out of our world and still be able to say “God is enough, he will sustain me, he is my joy and my life” is an incredible testimony. It shouts to the world that we are living for something greater than it.
I think that Paul is saying that the afflictions of Christ are sufficient in everyway for salvation but they are now to be shared by the church and presented to the world by the church. It is only this presentation that is “lacking” or still required. John Piper puts it like this, “What is lacking, then, in Christ’s afflictions is not propitiation but presentation. In other words, the sufferings of Jesus fully satisfied the wrath of God, but there is lacking “a personal presentation by Christ Himself to the nations of the world. God’s answer to this lack is to call the people of Christ (people like Paul) to make a personal presentation of the afflictions of Christ to the world. In doing this, we ‘fill up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions.’ We finish what they were designed for, a personal presentation to the people who do not know about their infinite worth”,“Christ wants His body, the church, to reveal His suffering in its suffering” (John Piper, “Desiring God”).
Example: I have included a current example of this in the further reading this week. Matt Chandler (Yes, THAT Matt Chandler!) is a young pastor (early 30s) in Texas that has seen his church grow from 100 people to many many thousands. He is a gifted preacher (he will crop up in the additional reading section often) and has devoted his life to sharing the gospel. Late last year he collapsed in his living room and woke up in hospital to discover he has a malignant tumour in his brain. Surgery and chemo has been only partially successful to date. He also has 3 small children. The article below was written by AP discussing his amazing approach to his cancer. The video below has him discussing his view of it along with his wife. I pray that his tumour will be healed but the way that he has bourne this affliction powerfully presents the gospel to the world. He lives for more than this and his hope is found in Christ alone.
Further Reading / Listening Links:
Sermon: Tim keller, “Suffering if God is Good”
Article: AP Article on Matt Chandlers cancer
Video: Interview with Matt Chandler about his cancer
Book: Philip Yancey, “Where is God When it Hurts?”
Video: John Piper on Suffering vs Prosperity Gospel.
Article: John Piper, “Don’t Waste Your Cancer"
Article: Sam Storms, “Colossians 1:24″
