Colossians 1:24–28 - 24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions. 25 Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, 26 that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, 27 to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ.
Colossians 2:1–5 - 1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument. 5 For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ.
What does today’s passage say?
In today's passage, Paul expresses joy in suffering for Christ's sake and for the benefit of other believers (vv. 24-25). He serves the church by proclaiming the message of Christ in its fullness, in order to present people complete in their faith. Paul strives with divine strength to teach this gospel clearly, admonishing and encouraging all people in the wisdom of Christ so that they can maturity in Him (vv. 26-29). Paul emphasizes his great concern for the Colossian Christians and others who haven't met him, wanting their hearts to be strengthened in unity with one another as they reach greater assurance and knowledge of God's mystery revealed in Christ (vv. 2:1-3). He says this so that no one will deceive them with slick-sounding arguments that pull people away from trusting fully in Christ (vv. 2:4-5).
How can I apply Colossians 1:24-2:5 to my life?
Today, Paul communicates truths about pursuing maturity and unity within the body of Christ. He mentions his own willingness to suffer for the sake of the church and desire for believers to grow in comprehension of the mystery of the gospel revealed in Jesus. Paul wants followers of Christ to reach spiritual completeness, united together in love, rather than getting deceived by empty philosophies of the world. He cares deeply about the spiritual welfare of fellow saints. As we study this passage, we should ask God to show us how to apply these same principles within our current context as believers. How can we imitate Paul’s devotion and passion for seeing the church strengthened? In what ways must we guard against hollow ideas that try to pull us away from the sufficiency that comes through knowing Christ alone? As we study this passage, we should pursue how we can actively foster greater spiritual maturity and loving bonds within the body of Christ. Here are some basic principles from this passage that we should apply to our lives:
1. Find Joy in Suffering for the Sake of Christ and His Church (vv. 24-25): Paul writes that he rejoices when facing trials and persecution for Christ's sake and for the benefit of the church. Though difficult, these sufferings provide an opportunity to identify with and follow the model of Jesus, who willingly took on affliction for us. As believers, we too can find joy in the midst of sorrow when we suffer for righteous reasons. Our endurance serves as an example for others in the body of Christ to continue pursuing obedience, even during hardships. When we rely on God's strength to make it through adversity due to our faith, other Christians see His power at work sustaining us. This offers much-needed comfort and encouragement for them to stand firm in their own troubles. Though it seems contradictory, we can have inner gladness in the privilege of imitating Christ through our pain and being used by God to build up fellow believers. Our trials make visible our dependence on God's all-sufficient grace. As we receive divine comfort in our affliction, we are then able to come alongside others who undergo distress and offer them the same consolation from God that upheld us. While difficult, rejoicing in sufferings allows us to grow in Christlike maturity and cultivate an eternal perspective amid temporary trials. It produces perseverance and character within us and creates opportunity to be living testimonies of God's faithfulness to provide strength amid adversity, giving hope to the greater body of Christ (2 Corinthians 1:3-5; Philippians 1:29-30; 1 Thessalonians 1:6-7).
Food for Thought: In what ways might you currently be suffering for the sake of Christ or your faith? What trials could God be allowing you to go through for the benefit of others in the body of Christ? How might persevering through difficulties because of your faith serve as an example to other believers to keep pursuing Christ?
2. Grow in Knowledge and Understanding of God's Mystery, Which Is the Proclamation of Christ and Salvation to All Men (vv. 26-29): Paul explains that God has made known the mystery of Christ to His saints. This mystery is the saving message of the gospel that goes out to all peoples, not just the Jews. As believers, we are called to grow in understanding this revelation. The proclamation of Christ includes truths about His preeminence, sufficiency, and reconciling work through the cross to provide salvation. Coming to a fuller knowledge of these aspects deepens our relationship with Jesus. As Paul labored to preach this good news clearly, we too can grow in comprehending the richness of the mystery revealed in Christ so we can teach it accurately. Increased understanding empowers us to represent Jesus well so that every person can have the opportunity to know Him as Savior. We grow by allowing the word of Christ to dwell richly within us. This includes studying the Scriptures, which testify all about Christ, immersing ourselves in His truth. As we behold Jesus through diving into the word, the Spirit transforms us further into His image with ever-increasing glory. Understanding more fully Christ’s purpose and life-giving message fuels our growth in godliness and effectiveness in sharing the gospel (Matthew 28:19-20; Ephesians 1:7-10, 3:1-6; 2 Peter 3:18).
Food for Thought: What specific ways can you devote more focused time and study to growing in comprehension of the mysteries and depths of Christ this week? How can cultivating understanding of Jesus and the gospel better equip you to represent Him accurately to unbelievers?
3. Be United in Love and Complete in Christ Through Spiritual Maturity (2:1-5): Paul expresses his desire for the Colossian believers to have unity and maturity in Christ. He wants their hearts to be encouraged in love so they can grasp the assurance that comes from truly knowing Jesus. This happens through growth toward spiritual maturity, not just intellectual understanding. As we devote ourselves to Christ, we can enjoy profound connections with other Christians, joined together in love. The goal is for believers to reach completeness and full obedience in Him alone, not in hollow religiosity or worldly philosophy apart from Christ. We all start as spiritual infants, but through allowing the word and Spirit of Christ to fill our souls, we can grow into maturity marked by wise discernment. We must guard against sophisticated arguments that sound plausible but actually disconnect people from the Head, who is Christ. As we yield more of ourselves to Jesus, we will not be deceived by empty substitute beliefs. Fixing our eyes on Christ overflows into unified love within the body as we collectively reach for maturity in Him. This forms a spiritual protection against false teaching. As each of us personally pursues spiritual completeness in Christ, we will experience deeper bonds of love strengthening the church (Ephesians 4:13-16; Philippians 3:12-15; Hebrews 5:14).
Food for Thought: In what ways have you noticed spiritual growth and maturity in yourself over this past year? What evidence is there that you are progressing toward completeness in Christ? What specific actions can you take to strengthen unity and love within your local church body?
This passage reminds us that as believers we can actually rejoice when facing trials for Christ’s sake, because our suffering builds up other Christians. We are called to continually advance in our comprehension of the mysteries of the gospel revealed in Jesus so that we can teach and share this good news accurately. Our goal should be spiritual maturity marked by unity, discernment, and a profound grasp of assurance that comes through complete dependence on Christ rather than empty religion. As we yield more intimately to Jesus, we will overflow with His love that knits our hearts together with other followers of Christ. May we take to heart these powerful truths and actively pursue living them out within the body of Christ.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray that You would help me to find joy in the midst of any suffering I may endure because of my faith in Christ. Empower me to persevere in order to encourage other believers to continue following You. Grow my understanding of who Christ is and what He accomplished so that I can share the gospel clearly with unbelievers in my life. Help me to pursue spiritual maturity and completeness found only in personally knowing Jesus. Unite my heart together in love with other Christians within my local church body. I pray that You would protect me from false teachings that have an appearance of wisdom but actually disconnect people from You. Help me to live out the truths in this passage so that I can strengthen other followers of Jesus.
I pray these things in the most precious name of Jesus, Amen.
Colossians 1:28 – “We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ.”
With His Blessings,
Pastor Corby
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