I understand the apostles’ joy at tribulation. And I understand that in itself is something God provides.
You said, “Paul is also saying that his suffering doesn’t rise to the level of Christ’s suffering but is willing to go through or “be filled” with the same suffering as Christ if need be.” Would you take the time to explain how you come to that conclusion from the construct of Paul’s sentence? I’m not a Greek scholar, but I don’t usually have trouble following Paul’s writings.
Your interpretation fits better with other scripture than what I’ve gotten from that sentence. I just need to understand how you derive that from the sentence.
Thank you for your patience.
Colossians 1:24 Now I rejoicing in the sufferings for you and I am filling up that which is lacking of the tribulation of Christ in the flesh of me the body of him which is the church. Colossians 1:24 I know what you mean by “the construct of the sentence”. I have found that when I have a “sense” about a verse or even sometimes question a typical interpretation or view it’s best to first go to the Greek and the understanding of phrases and words during that time. But then we also need to consider the rest of scripture as it may pertain to that subject. In this case we can dismiss out of hand the Catholic view since we know there is nothing lacking in Christ’s completeness.
Paul mentions the suffering several times in his writing and seems to identify with that suffering. Probably due in part to his own contributions to that suffering as he mentions how he was one of those who persecuted the Christians. In that respect he undoubtedly has a more intimate knowledge or awareness of the suffering. He identifies with the suffering servant in his writing as well. Paul keenly wanted to follow Christ’s example as Peter mentions.
1 Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
Paul always “gave it his all” whether he was persecuting Christians or whether he was evangelizing for Christ. It seems his personality was to go all out. So in this passage Paul repeats the root of to fill to stress that the aim of his personal sacrifice—I fill up [antanapleroo] in my flesh—is to complete his mission: to present to you the word of God in its fullness [plerosai].
This is the way I see it:
Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you,
and fill up that which is behind of the
afflictions of Christ in my flesh
Act 9:15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
Act 9:16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake
Act 20:22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:
Act 20:23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
Act 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
2Co 1:4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
2Co 1:5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
2Co 1:6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
2Co 4:10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
2Co 4:11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
2Co 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
2Co 11:23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. 2Co 11:24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
2Co 11:26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
2Co 11:27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
2Co 11:28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
2Co 11:29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?
2Co 11:30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.
Php 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
2Ti 2:9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
2Ti 2:10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
2Ti 2:7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
It is never said in the scriptures that Jesus did not suffer enough...Nowhere...Jesus suffered enough that we don't have to suffer at all...
Paul took joy in suffering for Jesus and although he suffered greatly, he felt Jesus was too light on him...He deserved and was willing to take more...
This should be enough scripture to provide anyone a suitable answer to the scripture in question...
I believe God writes scripture the way he does just to trip up those who try to pervert and corrupt his words; those one verse wonders who have built a religion on a single or part of a verse...
2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2Ti 2:16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.