(5-minute read)

Making Sense of Suffering

When Paul says that he is “filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church” (v. 24), he is not saying that something is lacking from Christ’s suffering and death on the cross. To do so would contradict the theme of this letter and the rest of Scripture’s teaching on what Christ’s death accomplished, namely the forgiveness of sins for his followers (c.f. Hebrews 9:12-26; 10:11-14). “What is lacking” refers to the trials and tribulations that will fall upon the church until Christ returns. That is why Paul rejoices in his sufferings “for your sake.” Suffering in and of itself is not cause for joy. Rather, Paul rejoices because he knows that he is suffering for the people of God, which is the church.

One of the most prominent themes in Paul’s writings is the union that Christians have with Jesus. Just as we share in the death and resurrection of our Savior, we also share in his sufferings. Paul, then, understands that his suffering for the sake of God’s people and for the advancement of the gospel is not in vain. Indeed, it is part of God’s greater plan to redeem his people. 

This idea—that suffering is part of the Christian path—may be difficult to grasp, especially for those in the West who have not experienced anywhere near the types of persecution that Christians have endured in other parts of the world. It is easy to misinterpret suffering and persecution as a sign that Christianity is at risk of being wiped out. Colossians 1:24-29, however, teaches the opposite. Paul rejoices in his sufferings because he understands that his suffering is a sign that the age of the Messiah has begun—Christ is presently ruling and bringing forth his kingdom. When Christians suffer or face persecution because of their faith and obedience to Jesus, they are indeed united with their Savior. Jesus himself suffered, and he warned his followers (both present and future) that they would as well (e.g. John 15:18-21). This is the path for every Christian.

These ideas about suffering and persecution may make us uncomfortable. As New Testament scholar, N.T. Wright puts it, however, that response stems from a lack of understanding—or perhaps a lack of acceptance—of what the Bible teaches:

“If all these ideas sound strange to modern ears, this may be not so much due to the distance between Paul and ourselves in time and culture as because the church has forgotten how to apply to itself the fact that it is the body of the crucified Messiah.⁠”1

Suffering will never be easy. It’s not supposed to be. But we are doing a disservice as the church and as disciple makers if we do not teach others (or understand ourselves!) how to interpret suffering through the Bible’s teachings. 

All of us will suffer. It is part of the Christian life. But we do not have to face those sufferings in a cloud of confusion. Building a biblical understanding of suffering will empower us to say along with Paul, “I rejoice in my sufferings.”

We can also rejoice because we are not alone in our struggles. Verse 29 says, “I labor for this, striving with his strength that works powerfully in me.” Despite awful circumstances, Paul continues in his obedience to Christ and in his disciple making efforts because he knows that the very power of Jesus is working through him. As Christians, we can take comfort that this same power resides in us. True, we will suffer, but Jesus never leaves us during those times. Indeed, it is often during our worst times that we feel closest to him. 

Lastly, when we suffer on account of our faith, God sees us. Jesus offers these beautiful words of assurance in Matthew 5:11-12, “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Application: Moving from Head to Heart to Hands

It is (correctly) said that as followers of Jesus Christ, our knowledge of him should move from our head to our hearts to our hands. That pattern is one of the gauges that we can use to assess our maturity as Christians:

  • Head—Are we prayerfully, regularly, and carefully studying the Bible? As we do this, God will grant us wisdom and knowledge of him and his plans. He will also help us understand difficult issues like suffering and persecution. God’s Word contains everything we need to know to become Christians and how to live as Christians.
  • Heart—Is Scripture changing our affections? As we study Scripture, God transforms us so that even the innermost desires of our hearts change. We grow to love God more deeply and to love more deeply the things that he loves. 
  • Hands—Do our lives reflect the teachings of Scripture? As our heads and hearts grow closer to God, our actions will also reflect God’s character. We are not saved by good works, but our good works are evidence that we are saved. Good works are not limited to humanitarian actions. They also include sharing the gospel with non-Christians and discipling other Christians. 

Verses 28 and 29 deserve special attention. The phrase “present everyone mature in Christ” is describing discipleship. We Westerners often emphasize conversion to the neglect of discipleship. I have heard of and seen firsthand too many cases where a person professes faith in Christ but then is left on his/her own. This is contrary to the examples and commands of Scripture. Paul says that he toils with all his energy because Christ works within him (v. 29). What is the goal of his toil? It is to help Christians mature in their faith (v. 28). Jesus himself commands us to make disciples by teaching others everything that he commanded (Matthew 28:20). 

For all Christians—including and especially husbands and fathers—let this be our charge. Let’s press forward with confidence, toiling to lead our wives and children to grow in their Christian heads, hearts, and hands. The power of Christ himself powerfully works within us to accomplish this.

Questions for Further Study and Discussion

  1. People suffer for various reasons. Are all types of suffering evidence that we are in the Messianic age and/or that we are following Christ? Are there other reasons that we suffer? If there is a difference, how can decipher it?
  2. Where have you grown in Christian maturity? Cite specific examples of how this process flowed from your head to your heart to your hands. In which areas do you still need to mature?
  3. Think about a time that you suffered or were persecuted because of your faith in and/or obedience to Jesus. How can you interpret that experience through what Paul teaches in Col. 1:24-29? 
  4. If you have never suffered, been persecuted, or been rejected because of your Christian faith, how might this lead you to assess how you are living out your faith (see the “Hands” bullet point above)?

1 N. T. Wright, Colossians and Philemon: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 12 of Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. IVP/Accordance electronic ed. (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1986), 93.