Paul's Sufferings - 1:24-25

24I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church,

Christians must have the attitude of joy in all things, including suffering. (James 1:2; 1 Peter 4:14-16)

Christ did not do all the suffering. He suffered for you to have the remission of sins. But there is still suffering for us in this world.

Vine "Christ, the sinless Master, should have left something for Paul, the unworthy servant; to suffer." Vincent "signifies that portion of Christ's ministerial sufferings which was not endured by Him in person, but is endured in the sufferings of Christians in all generations is carrying out Christ's work."

How far behind are we? Do we have some catching up to do?

The body of Christ is the church which he purchased and built. See verse 18.

24 - Christians everywhere rejoice because we are allowed to suffer for Christ. Christ suffered for the sake of his body, the church.

25of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God,

Paul was a minister of the gospel. Not by ordination, but because of stewardship.

Stewardship is the responsibility of each person to use and be accountable for their ability, talent, money, time, and other gifts God gave them to use.

Each of us must fully discharge the office given to us so that God's intent and will is carried out in the preaching of the gospel.

NASB "to carry out the preaching of the word of God" RSV "to make the word of God fully known"

25 - God has given to me the stewardship of fully declaring His message.

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Old Testament