Unpacking Paul’s Mysterious Words: “Filling Up What is Lacking in Christ’s Afflictions”

In today’s verse Paul drops this head-scratching phrase: “I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions.”

“Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I am completing in my flesh what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for his body, that is, the church.”
Colossians 1:24 CSB

Now, if you’ve wondered if Paul was saying Jesus didn’t do enough on the cross, take a breath with me. Because he actually means the opposite.

Let’s unpack the meaning together.

“What is Lacking in Christ’s Afflictions”: What Paul is Really Getting At

Paul’s not adding to Jesus’ sacrifice. Tat was perfect and complete, end of story. Instead, he’s talking about his own journey of suffering for the sake of the gospel and the church.

Let’s break it down:

1. Making It Real: Imagine Paul’s saying, “Hey, what’s missing is people seeing and feeling Christ’s suffering in the flesh.” By going through hardships for the gospel, Paul’s making Jesus’ sacrifice tangible. It’s like he’s bringing it from a sketch on a page to an amazing sculpture for people.
2. Becoming More Like Jesus: You know how we’re called to be like Christ? Well, Paul’s saying his suffering is part of that process. It’s shaping him to be more like Jesus. This is the process we call sanctification.
3. The Church’s Ongoing Story: Some folks think Paul’s talking about the big picture. How the church as a whole will face trials until Jesus comes back. Paul’s just playing his part in that larger story.
4. Missionary Life: Here’s a more recent take. . . Paul’s specifically talking about the unique sufferings that come with being a missionary. It’s not for the faint of heart. But that’s the point. Jesus didn’t promise discipleship was an easy road. (See John 16:33.)

So What’s the Big Idea?

When we look at the whole of Paul’s teachings and the context here, he’s probably saying something like this:

1. His sufferings in ministry are making Christ’s sacrifice real and visible to others. It’s not just ancient history—it’s alive and active.
2. By enduring hardships for the gospel, he’s taking part in Jesus’ sufferings. It’s simply what Paul called “discipleship.”
3. His afflictions are actually benefiting the church. How? By spreading the gospel and encouraging other believers.

Paul’s not trying to one-up Jesus here. He’s making Jesus’ work known and effective in people’s lives through his own sacrificial ministry.

What This Means for Us

Here’s where it gets real for us today.

This verse is a wake-up call about what it means to follow Jesus and spread His message. It’s not always going to be comfortable, friends. But here’s joyful news: our sufferings for Christ’s sake aren’t meaningless. They’re part of something bigger, something that benefits the whole church.

So next time life gets tough because of your faith, remember Paul’s words. You’re not just suffering. You’re participating in Christ’s work in a profound way. It’s a high calling, and yes, it’s costly. But it’s worth it to be counted worthy to suffer for Jesus’ sake. (See Acts 5:41.)

Let’s pray for the strength to embrace this calling, even when it hurts. Because in the end, it’s all about Jesus and His kingdom. And that’s worth everything.