Colossians 1:24

And fill up, &c.— Nothing could be further from the Apostle's intention (as is manifest from the whole tenor of his writings), than to intimate that the sufferings of Christ were imperfect as to that fulness of atonement which was necessary in order to the justification of believers. But he deeply retained in his mind the impression of that first lesson which he had from his Saviour's mouth, namely, that he was persecuted in his members. Acts 9:4. He therefore considers it as the plan of Providence, that a certain measure of sufferings should be endured by this body of which Christ was the head; and he rejoices to think, that what he endured in his own person, did in some sense and degree resemble the sufferings of his adorable Lord. Comp. Ephesians 3:13. Philippians 2:17.