Colossians 1:24
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:
Original Language Analysis
Νῦν
now
G3568
Νῦν
now
Strong's:
G3568
Word #:
1 of 28
"now" (as adverb of date, a transition or emphasis); also as noun or adjective present or immediate
χαίρω
rejoice
G5463
χαίρω
rejoice
Strong's:
G5463
Word #:
2 of 28
to be "cheer"ful, i.e., calmly happy or well-off; impersonally, especially as salutation (on meeting or parting), be well
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παθήμασιν
sufferings
G3804
παθήμασιν
sufferings
Strong's:
G3804
Word #:
5 of 28
something undergone, i.e., hardship or pain; subjectively, an emotion or influence
ὑπὲρ
for
G5228
ὑπὲρ
for
Strong's:
G5228
Word #:
7 of 28
"over", i.e., (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case super
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σαρκί
flesh
G4561
σαρκί
flesh
Strong's:
G4561
Word #:
19 of 28
flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e., (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or
ὑπὲρ
for
G5228
ὑπὲρ
for
Strong's:
G5228
Word #:
21 of 28
"over", i.e., (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case super
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σώματος
body's
G4983
σώματος
body's
Strong's:
G4983
Word #:
23 of 28
the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
24 of 28
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὅ
Who
G3739
ὅ
Who
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
25 of 28
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
Cross References
Romans 5:3And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;2 Timothy 1:8Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;Philippians 3:10That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;2 Corinthians 7:4Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.Ephesians 3:13Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.Colossians 1:18And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.James 1:2My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;Acts 5:41And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.Ephesians 3:1For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,Ephesians 1:23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Historical Context
Roman imprisonment was brutal: chains, inadequate food, poor sanitation, uncertain legal outcomes. Paul wrote this letter chained to a guard, yet expresses joy. This testimony powerfully validated the gospel's truth—Paul's willingness to suffer for his message proved he believed it genuinely, not merely found it philosophically interesting. Martyrs' blood authenticated early Christianity when philosophical arguments alone couldn't.
Questions for Reflection
- Can you rejoice in suffering that serves others' spiritual good, or do you resent any personal cost to ministry?
- What are you willing to sacrifice for the church's benefit—time, money, comfort, reputation, safety?
- How does Paul's example challenge contemporary Christianity's pursuit of comfort and prosperity?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
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. Paul's joy amid suffering demonstrates Christianity's paradoxical power. "I rejoice" (chairō, χαίρω) in present tense shows ongoing attitude, not occasional heroism. Suffering "for you" indicates vicarious purpose—Paul's imprisonment resulted from ministry to Gentiles, benefiting churches he served.
"Fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ" (antanaplerō ta hysterēmata tōn thlipseōn tou Christou, ἀνταναπληρῶ τὰ ὑστερήματα τῶν θλίψεων τοῦ Χριστοῦ) requires careful interpretation. Paul doesn't suggest Christ's atonement was insufficient—redemption is complete (1:14). Rather, Christ's afflictions include both His unique substitutionary suffering (unrepeatable) and the church's ongoing persecution (continuing until His return). Paul participates in the latter, suffering as Christ's representative.
"In my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church" connects Paul's physical suffering with the church's spiritual benefit. As Christ's body suffered to redeem the church, Paul's body suffers to edify it. This models Christian ministry: willing sacrifice for others' spiritual good, counting suffering as privilege when advancing Christ's kingdom.