SUMMARY
PaulThe Apostle Paul, originally known as Saul of Tarsus, was the author of several New Testament letters and the founder of many Christian communities. More rejoices in his calling to labor and suffer for the gospel so that believers may grow into maturity in Christ.
ANALYSIS
The theme of “rejoicing” (1:24; 2:5) forms an inclusioInclusio is a literary device in which a writer places similar material at the beginning and ending of a work or section of a work. For example, Mark's gospel contains an inclusio in which Jesus is recognized (at his baptism and crucifixion) as God's Son. More around this section of the letter. Paul (or the author who writes in his name) begins by saying that he rejoices in his sufferings for the sake of the Colossians, and that he is “completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church.” The latter part of this verse raises important questions: In what sense can Christ’s afflictions be considered “lacking” and how is Paul completing what is lacking? The author cannot mean that Jesus’ suffering and death were somehow insufficient for salvationSalvation can mean saved from something (deliverance) or for something (redemption). Paul preached that salvation comes through the death of Christ on the cross which redeemed sinners from death and for a grace-filled life. More, as he has already affirmed the reconciliation of all things on earth and in heaven through the cross of Christ (1:20). The phrasing is awkward, but most likely what is meant by “what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions” is simply the afflictions that continue in Christ’s body, the church. Paul is certainly not the only member of Christ’s body to suffer for the gospel, but he believes that his sufferings are an inextricable part of his calling to proclaim the gospel. It is not that his sufferings are redemptive, but they help to edify and encourage the church in that they attest to the integrity of the message he proclaims (cf. Phil 1:12-14).
In verses 25-29, Paul affirms his calling as a servant (diakonos) of the church commissioned by God to make the word of God fully known. Several words appear frequently in these verses: mysteryA mystery is something secret, hidden and not perceived by ordinary means. In the book of Daniel a significant mystery is revealed through divine revelation (Daniel 2); Paul speaks of a mystery of God in Romans 11 and again in Ephesians 3. In speaking of... More, hiddenness, making known or revealing. At the center of all these words is Christ. The mystery that had been hidden and is now made known is Christ – more specifically, “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (1:27). The proclamation of Christ is realized when it takes root in believers. Paul toils with all the energy God has given him so that believers grow to maturity in Christ.
In 2:1-5, Paul continues to speak of his labors, even for those whom he has never seen face to face, like the Colossians and those in Laodicea. His goal is for them to be “encouraged and united in love,” and again, to have knowledge of “God’s mystery, that is Christ himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdomWisdom encompasses the qualities of experience, knowledge, and good judgment. The Old Testament book of Proverbs, which sometimes invokes a Woman as the personification of Wisdom, is a collection of aphorisms and moral teachings. Along with other biblical passages, it teaches, "The fear of the... More and knowledge.” Paul considers it his calling to build up the church, even those communities that were not evangelized by him but by a colleague (cf. 1:7-8). In verse 4, he introduces a theme to which he will return – the dangers of false teachings. Affirming that though absent in body, he is with the Colossians in spirit, he rejoices in the firmness of their faith in Christ (v.5).
