Colossians 1:24

This verse contains phrases that may lead you to ask, "What does this mean?" For example, what does rejoicing in suffering mean?

We have been conditioned to avoid suffering, but that is not the way of the cross. Jesus faced the cross not because he loved suffering but because he knew something glorious awaited him afterward: sitting at the Father's right hand as King of kings and Lord of lords.

Similarly, when Paul says that he rejoices in suffering, he means that he knows his suffering is not in vain. The Bible says that if we suffer with Him, we will also be glorified with Him (Romans 8:17). Suffering is associated with being a Christian; it comes with the territory.

Jesus said that those persecuted for righteousness are blessed because the kingdom of heaven belongs to them (Matthew 5:10).

Paul takes that promise seriously and sees suffering as part of the package of being a follower of Christ. Jesus promised His followers persecution (Mark 10:30). He sent us out as sheep among wolves (Matthew 10:16). So, persecution is not a surprise or an accident; it is by design. To show that, Jesus said people should compute the cost before becoming his disciples (Luke 14:25-33).

Jesus is not surprised that we are persecuted. He orchestrated it with a good end in view. The writer of the book of Hebrews calls it discipline, with the end result being that we share in God’s holiness through the purifying influence of persecution (Hebrews 12:7-11).

Before saying that he rejoices in his sufferings for the Colossians, Paul mentioned that he was a servant of the gospel. Undoubtedly, being a servant of the gospel led to Paul's persecution because, in another instance, he chided those who did not preach the right gospel, suggesting it was so they would avoid persecution (Galatians 6:12).

Paul persecuted the church (thereby persecuting Christ) when he was ‘blind’ and thought he was doing the right thing. He got permission from the chief priests and sided with the powerful because he believed that was the right way (Acts 9), but after his conversion, he is now on the opposite end of that spectrum. He has no political power, is in the minority, and is sometimes alone, but he rejoices in all these things because he considers it a privilege to suffer for Christ.

Why? Because he knows he is on the right side of history. When all is said and done, he knows he will receive a crown (2 Timothy 4:8). He will hear the words of Christ, "Well done, good and faithful slave" (Matthew 25:23), and he will be in a place where no rod of persecution can reach him.

It was clear to him that the light affliction of the present time is not worth comparing with the coming glory that will be revealed to us (Romans 8:18). We focus not on the things seen in the present hour's persecution but on the glory that will be revealed.

We are charged not to grow weary in doing good because there is a guaranteed reward (Galatians 6:9). (It is clear that persecution is about stopping you and making you grow weary in whatever you do for the name of Christ.) But remember, the master who has gone is returning, and that day will be glorious for the faithful slave (Luke 12:41-46).

The casual observer might think that Paul was getting what he deserved and that it was all for nothing, but not so in the economy of God. Whatever suffering Paul endures for God's sake translates to a benefit for the church. That is how God sees it, especially from the context of the focus verse.

The persecution adds fuel to the fire of the Spirit in his life; it's like a thorn in the flesh that commands more grace to come to Paul (2 Corinthians 12:7-10), making his spiritual impact greater, benefiting the church. For example, out of suffering come those letters that continue to bear fruit worldwide. Hallelujah!

Paul prayed that God would remove a thorn in his flesh, a messenger of Satan who troubled him. God answered, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." That is why Paul rejoices in suffering.