… 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.
Summary: How should we understand this passage? Sometimes, understanding is hiding around the corner and can only be seen out of the corner of our eye.
This statement by Paul troubles me.
Is there anything “lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions?”
Since Jesus allowed himself to be crucified on the cross two thousand years ago, people have pondered what it means. The problem we face as humans is that we are confined to the physical realm. We know what we can observe through our five senses. The only thing we “know” beyond that is what God has provided in his Word.
Some people contend that God speaks to us in other ways. The Bible describes prophets who speak for God. The problem with prophecy is that it is self-limiting. By that, I mean that a prophet, if legitimate, speaks to a moment in time. After that moment has passed, the memory of the prophecy fades. Prophecies are also limited by Scripture. God’s Word takes precedence over any supplemental messages God might share with us.
Has God explained this passage to someone during the past two thousand years? Possibly. However, the third limitation on prophecy comes into play. We need to be able to verify it in the Word and there is no way to verify a statement on this topic.
The one thing I do know is what the Bible has told us about Paul.
Paul had a very real encounter with the living Christ (Acts 9). He learned about Jesus by direct revelation (Galatians 1:12). If Paul says that there is a need for him to suffer for the sake of the body of Christ, I believe him.
To some extent, I understand (although I make no claim to understanding the part about Christ’s afflictions). The church as we know it is made up of people, and even the best person struggles with the “body of death” we all live with (Romans 7:24 ESV). It is the incessant pull of the “self” that cries for attention. It is our “self” that wants to be in charge. It is the “self” that continually generates the need for Christ’s redemptive blood.
Perhaps what is “lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions” is our own battle with sin. It is not something that wins us spiritual righteousness of any kind. Instead, it is simply the ongoing battle faced by every believer every day.
Application: Know that like Paul, our suffering has meaning if it moves us away from sin and towards our Lord Jesus.
Food for Thought: How does our suffering for our faith help the church?
I think the NLT version of our passage today is helpful in also answering the question: “I am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body, the church”
Paul’s work for the church has led to suffering. But the suffering is worth it for others sake as the gospel spreads and the church body is built up to maturity. If this is true for Paul, I think it is fair to say it is true for all of us. We are in a spiritual war and the enemy attacks. The wounds are necessary for the freedom of others – for the maturity of the church and the advancement of the gospel.
Thank you, Rich!
Your insight here is very helpful!!
I appreciate the meditation this morning because this is a verse I had not previously spent a lot of time on. This morning I looked up some of the various interpretations that have come about over time. Salvific, Mystical Union, and the Messianic Woes views were an interesting read, but all seem to diminish the absolute sufficiently of Christ’s death and resurrection.
One interpretation I found, and more agree with, is more in line with your question involves fullness and mission. That Paul seeks fullness in Christ. Part of fullness in Christ is to suffer for His names sake, as He suffered for the sake of us. Not in terms as a requirement for fulfillment of His promise, but in terms of having the same compassion, love and service as Christ did. In connecting with the love that Christ has for us, we can then go forth and serve in that capacity. The mission becomes less of a “mandate” and more of a “labor of love.” Our understanding of suffering brings froth great compassion for others.
If we are driven by the level of compassion that Christ has for us, as Christ was in His death and resurrection, no amount suffering will hinder us, in fact, it will bring us closer to Christ. Not suffering for suffering’s sake, but enduring the suffering that comes in His service and in obedience to Him, because the world does not know Him. We transcend from “head knowledge” to “heart knowledge.” In doing so, we demonstrate something that the world (and mankind) cannot duplicate or fabricate. It becomes the most genuine type of love, and those around us will see it. The mission to spread the Gospel of Christ is not so God can “increase His numbers” to keep some kind of score, it is to bring each and every human soul back to Him, so He can give them redemption, hope, love, and a life more abundant as He intended to do from the very beginning. When we suffer for our faith in joy, others will be drawn to know why, or to seek that which lives in us. This build up the body of Christ, we become a well (vessel) from which to draw the water of life (Christ).
Thanks, Chris!
Your comment makes me wonder if there is a price I would not pay for the sake of the Gospel. It is, I believe, a challenge that faces every believer each day.
To start, the full sentence Paul is writing literally states that he is undergoing physical suffering. So the statement “lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions” means something along the lines of his physical suffering doesn’t mean we won’t have physical suffering, He bore the wrath of God for us, so we won’t take God’s wrath. However, He did not bear man’s wrath for us, not that He did not experience man’s wrath, but he wasn’t our substitute in this way.
How does our suffering for our faith help the church?
Our suffering can display the sincerity of our preaching.
Our suffering can keep us humble.
Our suffering can teach us the power of God.
Forgot to submit this earlier… 🤦♀️
Thank you, Angela!
You’ve given us three excellent examples of how suffering can enhance our faith! Thank you!