Read & explore together
Paul’s Suffering for the Church
Paul explains why he can rejoice in suffering. He links his hardship to service for the assembly, describes a responsibility given by God, and shows that his work is centred on proclaiming Christ.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
These verses are part of Paul’s teaching about his ministry. He speaks about sufferings, a stewardship from God, a mystery once hidden and now revealed, and the goal of admonishing and teaching every person so they may be presented perfect in Christ Jesus.
Colossians 1:24–29Main takeaway
Paul presents his suffering and labour as God-given service for the assembly, aimed at making Christ known so people may be presented perfect in him.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Rejoicing in suffering for the assemblyPaul says he rejoices in his sufferings for their sake. He also says these afflictions are for Christ’s body’s sake, which he identifies as the assembly.
Explanation
Paul says he rejoices in his sufferings for their sake. He also says these afflictions are for Christ’s body’s sake, which he identifies as the assembly. The verse ties his suffering to the good of God’s people and to belonging to Christ’s body.
02A servant with an entrusted taskPaul says he was made a servant of the assembly according to God’s stewardship given toward them.
Explanation
Paul says he was made a servant of the assembly according to God’s stewardship given toward them. A stewardship is an entrusted responsibility. His task is connected with fulfilling the word of God, so his ministry is described as something God gave him to carry out.
03The mystery now made knownPaul speaks about a mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to God’s saints.
Explanation
Paul speaks about a mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to God’s saints. In this passage, the mystery is not left unexplained. God was pleased to make known its rich glory among the Gentiles, and Paul names it as “Christ in you, the hope of glory”.
04Proclaiming Christ with God’s powerPaul says, “We proclaim him”, and explains this as admonishing and teaching every person in all wisdom.
Explanation
Paul says, “We proclaim him”, and explains this as admonishing and teaching every person in all wisdom. The goal is to present every person perfect in Christ Jesus. Paul labours and strives for this, yet he says the power at work in him is God’s working, working mightily.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Who does Paul say benefits from his sufferings?
Notice both phrases in the verse: “for your sake” and “for his body’s sake, which is the assembly”.
02What does Paul say the revealed mystery is?
Read the line where Paul moves from the hidden mystery to the words “Christ in you, the hope of glory”.
03What is the purpose of proclaiming, admonishing, and teaching?
Look for the words beginning “that we may” and then connect them with Paul’s labour in the next verse.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Colossians 1:24–29
24Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and fill up on my part that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the assembly,
25of which I was made a servant according to the stewardship of God which was given me toward you to fulfill the word of God,
26the mystery which has been hidden for ages and generations. But now it has been revealed to his saints,
27to whom God was pleased to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
28We proclaim him, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus;
29for which I also labor, striving according to his working, which works in me mightily.