PERSONALLY SPEAKING

Sometimes when someone is forthright we comment with a smile: ‘Tell us what you really feel!’ In these verses Paul holds little back. His claim that his suffering is filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions (v 24) is not slighting the atonement’s efficacy. Christ’s suffering on the cross accomplished salvation once and for all, yet sharing the good news has meant further suffering, as in Paul’s current imprisonment. Elsewhere he lists more of these personal costs,² but they are always a result of his commission to proclaim the gospel (v 28). Genuine ministry combines divine energy with sacrifice and hard work (v 29). That’s the formula for Christian vocation. Hard work with God’s energy has eternal value.

Though Paul has not met his hearers personally, his encouragement is warm – he struggles for them and the neighboring Laodicean church (2:1). It’s a struggle to confront those who are deceiving the church by fine-sounding arguments (v 4). Their need for ‘full riches of complete understanding’ (v 2) to know Christ in his fullness is critical amid the false teaching. So much is at stake. Distant from them, he reminds them that his absence in body does not prevent his presence in spirit and his delight at seeing God’s work with them (v 5). This last verse has greatly encouraged my wife and me as the pandemic made us housebound for many months. Though we could no longer be with Christian friends physically, our spiritual bonds have held us. In different ways, by telephone, online, letter and especially by prayer we have known belonging together in Jesus’ love.

Pray for Christian leaders who are struggling, that they might know God’s energy powerfully at work. Think of your own church – you may not know what struggles your leaders face.