Is something lacking in Christ's afflictions? What does Colossians 1:24 mean?

TL;DR:

In Colossians 1:24, Paul isn’t saying Christ’s suffering is lacking. Rather, he is explaining that his own suffering was insignificant, “lacking,” in comparison to Christ’s.

Colossians 1:24 includes a phrase that may initially confuse some readers. About his suffering, Paul writes, “in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church" (Colossians 1:24). But as the Bible makes clear, Christ’s death offers full redemption of our sins (Isaiah 53:5; John 1:29; Hebrews 9:12–14). Considering that central teaching of Scripture, Paul did not mean Christ was lacking in afflictions. Rather, Paul considered his own suffering “lacking” because it was insignificant compared to Christ's sacrifice. Paul also viewed his sufferings as a way he could bear the burden of Christ (Galatians 6:17). During his earthly ministry, Jesus taught that His followers would undergo such suffering. He warned believers to expect the world’s hate (John 15:18) and anticipate trials and tribulations as a result of our faith (John 16:33). Though our natural instinct is to dread such suffering, the Bible teaches us to rejoice in our suffering because it strengthens our faith and brings us closer to Christ (Matthew 5:10–12; Romans 5:3–5; 1 James 1:2–4; Peter 2:20–22). When we are persecuted for our faith in Christ and rejoice because of it, we become more like Him.

from the old testament

Isaiah 53 is often called the “suffering servant” passage, a Messianic prophecy describing Jesus’s suffering: “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:3–5). Christ’s suffering and death paid our sin debt in full. When we accept Christ as savior, we must expect to suffer along with Him. Doing so brings us closer to Christ (Philippians 3:10).

from the new testament

In Colossians 1:24, Paul writes, "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.” By using the phrase “what is lacking,” Paul did not mean there was any deficiency in Christ's suffering. He meant that his own personal suffering had not even come close to the level of suffering that Christ had endured for him and for all of us. Paul, who was imprisoned, beaten, stoned, and shipwrecked for the sake of Christ, recognized the deficiency of his own suffering compared to Christ’s (2 Corinthians 11:23–28).
In John 16:33, Jesus warned His followers not to expect an easy life, but to look forward to the promise of eternal life in Christ: "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” When we experience persecution for our faith in Christ, we become closer to Him.
In 1 Peter 2:20–21, Peter reinforces that message when he reminds believers that suffering for what is right is part of following Christ: “For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” By suffering for good, we are becoming Christ-like.

implications for today

Do you have a role model? Many of us did when we were children, and maybe we still do as adults. It could have been a professional athlete whose court performance you tried to imitate. Or maybe it was a celebrity whose style you copied. Perhaps it was a parent or older sibling whose wisdom you appreciated. But as Christians, our ultimate role model is Christ. Jesus’s earthly ministry is something worthy of imitating—His loving kindness to others, His acceptance and forgiveness, and yes, even His suffering. No one looks forward to pain, but believers must anticipate suffering for our beliefs one day. What should our attitude toward it be? Scripture tells us we’re to rejoice in it (Matthew 5:11–12; 1 Peter 2:20–22). God uses our suffering to sanctify us for His service and to conform us to Christ’s likeness. Christians’ attitude toward suffering may seem strange to the world, but the explanation is simple: those who love Christ want to be like Him. Suffering for what is right is part of that. We have no better role model than Christ in His attitude and actions, including His suffering. When we are persecuted for our faith in Christ and rejoice because of it, we become more like Him.

understand

Christ’s suffering is complete, paying the full price for sin.
Paul’s suffering is “lacking” in comparison.
Suffering for Christ unites believers with Him and sanctifies them.

reflect

How do you view suffering in your own life, especially in light of the suffering Christ endured for you?
When facing trials, do you find it challenging to rejoice in your suffering, and how can you shift your perspective to become more like Christ?
How can you bear the suffering of others in the body of Christ, as Paul did, for the sake of the church?

engage

How does understanding that Christ’s suffering is complete impact our perspective on trials and hardships?
What are some practical ways we can rejoice in suffering, as the Bible teaches, especially when it feels overwhelming?
How does the concept of suffering for Christ unite believers today, and how can we encourage one another through trials?

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