Fill Up That Which is Behind? #4

Friday, February 10, 2023

“Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church” (Colossians 1:24 KJV).

Did Jesus Christ suffer enough to pay for our sins? Then how can Paul “fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ?”

When Paul penned today’s Scripture, he was serving his two-year “house arrest” sentence in Rome that Luke recorded at the close of the Book of Acts: “And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him” (Acts 28:30,31). Verse 20 refers to his “chain” (shackles), verse 17 styles him a “prisoner,” and verse 16 describes a Roman soldier guarding him. Apostate Israel’s riot in Jerusalem in chapter 22 had resulted in Paul’s arrest, and he was eventually taken to Rome to await his trial before the emperor (Acts thus ends most abruptly, no outcome provided!).

Relating his situation of incarceration in Rome, the epistle (doctrinal letter) to the Colossians has these words. “Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds [chains, those objects which bind]:…” (4:3). “The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen” (4:18). Apparently, Paul was ultimately freed before being recaptured in Rome, at which time he writes from prison (not house arrest here but a dungeon): “But thou [Timothy] hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch [Acts 13:45-52], at Iconium [Acts 14:1-7], at Lystra [Acts 14:19-22—note the “tribulation” warning of verse 22!]; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall [not ‘maybe,’ ‘might,’ or ‘possibly!’—but ‘shall!’] suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:10-12).

Indeed, Paul is partaking “of the afflictions of Christ in [his] flesh….”