To this end I labor

Colossians 1:24-2:5

Key Verse 1:29

This passage is an extension of the previous passage where Paul expounded on the full spectrum of Christ's work from before the creation of the universe till now and beyond. 

In this passage he says specifically how he practically serves the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles. This passage serves as the guideline for us to follow in teaching the Bible in public and in private. 

1. Read v. 24a. What does "rejoice" mean? Suffering is not a pleasant experience to go through. And yet Paul says "I 'rejoice' in what was "suffered" for you. What does Paul's example suggest to us about the suffering for doing good in the Lord (Romans 5:3-5; 1Pe 1:6-7; 4:13)? 

** It means "to feel joy or great delight."

** As one goes through the experience (of suffering for Christ), it gives you pains for that moment, but later it reaps great joy and deep satisfaction. Suffering for sinful desires and evil purposes is the opposite. That is, at that particular moment the experience may give you comfort, joy, and quick gratification but later it gives you regret, shame, and guilt. 

In addition suffering for Christ produces good fruit like good character and genuine faith, but suffering for sinful nature produces bad fruit which is not worth mentioning.

2. Read v. 24b. Paul says in present tense, "I 'fill up' in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions..." What do you think Paul might have meant by: 1) "what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions"; and 2) "for the sake of his body"? What does "I fill up" suggest to us about Paul's attitude towards sufferings (or afflictions)? Why does he fill them up in his "body"? 

** Perhaps this expression is linked with Paul's understanding of Jesus as the head of the body, namely the church, so that just as it is the head that hurts and feels pain ahead of any part of the body hurts and feels pains, so also if anyone remains unsaved or if anyone who is saved remains incomplete in knowing Jesus' true greatness, it is Jesus who is pained the most. 

"Lacking" means "wanting" or "short in supply", indicating that the number of believers who are yet to be included in the body of Jesus is still "lacking" [in number]. 

Read Romans 11:25  I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.

** "For the sake of his body [i.e., church]" means "for the sake of his church by bringing absolute number of the believers into the church, so that she would be built up as fully and lovingly and harmoniously as she should be." 

** "I fill up" suggests that Paul is proactive in looking for the opportunities to suffer for Jesus' Christ, such as taking great pain struggling to write epistles even in a prison. He is like a hunter looking to hunt down a game or two in his hunting expedition. 

** Maybe it is consistent with his understanding of the body, that is, it is meant for promoting the righteousness, rather than sinful desires. In his dictionary unless a man offers himself to serving as an instrument of righteousness, he automatically ends up being used as an instrument of wickedness. 

Read Romans 6:6,12-13; 7:23; 8:10; 1Pe 4:1. 

3. Read 1:25-2:3 aloud. What do the following show us about the efforts the members of the church need to make in serving God's word to all peoples on earth: 

1) "the commission God gave me to present to you the Word of God in its fullness"; 

** Two points come to mind: First, we cannot force cows to drink water; all we can do is to take the cow to the water's side. Likewise, we cannot force anyone to eat the word. All we can do is to present the spiritual food to them, making their mouth water, and feel like eating, and indeed eat fully. Second, we must serve the flock God's word "fully" remembering that all Scriptures talk about Jesus Christ, the Word, and that Jesus is greater than the entire universe and everything in it. 

2) "the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory"; 

** This indicates two things: First, all the truths (particularly their "glorious" nature) are not obvious, but rather hidden, so that it is only through the exposition (or the work of revelation) of God's word by his servants (like Paul) that meanings can be fully understood. Second, we need to fully expose and present in its maximum the full value of God's word, that is, glory of God. [Glory = essential nature of God, such as His love, power, and all others which are represented by God's name and His person.]

3) "we proclaim him admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom; 

** This expression talks about the practical ways in which to reveal (make known) the glory of God's word. 

What to do: admonish and teach. Admonish = advise, counsel, warn, caution, censure, chide, and reprove. It's antonym is praise. Teach = edify, educate, tutor, or inform. Paul expresses the need for a shepherd to admonish and teach in different ways, that is, correct, rebuke, and encourage (2Ti 4:2).

How to do: wisdom. Notice the word "wisdom" rather than just "delivery of information." 

4) "so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ"; 

** The goal is perfection. 

Read 2 Corinthians 11:2 I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him.

His idea is to view every believer as a "bride" for Christ. This is not just Paul's idea, but the idea of John the Baptist as well when he said in John 3:29 

The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.

5) "I struggle with all his energy"; 

** The word "his" indicates that God never asks us to do anything without first providing us with the means by which to do what he asks us to do. 

So never develop the fantasy that you can serve the Lord according to your own "integrity, wits, abilities, or talents." 

6) "that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love"; and 

** Paul talks about the synthetic purpose of evangelical efforts, that is, leading all to be built up into the family of God, so that each of them would know how to get along with fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord. This is why the abilities for one to have good relationships with Jesus Christ and with fellow brothers and sisters are on a higher level than just one believing in the Lord and doing God's work all by himself. 

Remember: the final destination is always the "family of God where not only you but many others who are different from you are allowed to be seated around the eating table of the Lord." 

7) "so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge"? 

** One may ignore the importance of wisdom and knowledge. But remember that it is through wisdom and knowledge that the Lord created this beautiful universe. And it is in Jesus alone that we can find all the full treasures of all the treasures, both visible and invisible, particularly the invisible. 

4. Read v. 4. On what point does a deceiver deceive the one who is deceived? What does "fine-sounding arguments" suggest to us about the way in which the deceivers attempt to deceive you? 

** On the true greatness of Jesus, which already suggests to us that if anyone presents Jesus not as fully as Jesus is, he is already failing to do the job not as completely as he is supposed to.

** The word "fine" indicates that they indeed come up with all the "fine" looking theories, reasons, or logic.

The word "arguments" indicates that they love to "argue", instead of simply believing and accepting the word of God. 

Remember that fine-sounding arguments include not just audible arguments but inaudible ones, such as the fine looking lifestyles in fine dining, living in fine mansions, driving fine cars, wearing fine clothes, etc. and so forth.

5. Read v. 5. What does this passage teach us about: 1) the importance; and 2) the purpose, of writing spiritual letters among the saints? 

** It is important in that it helps us to overcome the limitations of our body. At the same time, it allows us to be with others in spirit, free of the wrong impression that people might get out of physical appearance of the one sharing the word. 

** It is to check one's orderliness (inwardly and outwardly) and the firmness of one's faith in the Lord {despite temptations of this world.] The end.