What did St. Paul mean by Col.1:24

[reen12]

Hello,

For the life of me, I couldn’t give a coherent explanation
of this verse. [Col. 1:24], where Paul speaks of
“making up for” the sufferings…?

I understand that this might be the basis for the
Roman Catholic theology of redemptive suffering,
but how do non-Catholic Christians interpret this
verse, as well?

Thanks to all who might help me understand this
verse.

reen12

 

[alyssa]

It has to do with us, the body of Christ.

St. Agusting said some GREAT stuff- there was something on it in laudes last thursday, I believe. I will see if I can find it, or someone else with the LOTH full edition can try to look it up

 

[alyssa]

Look at these together, as well

“Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up those things that are wanting of the sufferings of Christ, in my flesh, for his body, which is the church (Colossians 1:24).” He also says, “And if sons, heirs also; heirs indeed of God, and joint heirs with Christ: yet so, if we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified with him (Romans 8:17).”

 

[reen12]

Hi, alyssa,

I appreciate your efflort. I would like to look at
what St. Augustine had to say on the verse.

Kindest regards,
reen12

PS: I’ll be back in a while. Going to watch some TV !

 

[Didi]

Jesus’ suffering was perfect and complete.

We, the people, who are the Body of Christ, are to imitate Jesus in all things.

Jesus, the Head of the Church, has completed His suffering.

We, the Body of the Church, must complete ours.

 

[reen12]

Thanks, Didi ! That sheds a lot of light on

that verse for me,

Best regards,

reen12

 

[Liberian]

Didi:

Jesus’ suffering was perfect and complete.

We, the people, who are the Body of Christ, are to imitate Jesus in all things.

Jesus, the Head of the Church, has completed His suffering.

We, the Body of the Church, must complete ours.

Didi,

I appreciate your interpretation, but I’m afraid it is not consistent with the text. Col 1:24 specifically says “what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ,” meaning that they were not complete.

When I was a Protestant we simply ignored this verse. I never heard anybody say anything about it–I didn’t even notice its existence–until I came into the Catholic Church.

• Liberian

 

[gardenswithkids]

I heard one Catholic Bible scholar respond to this verse by saying, “The only thing lacking in Christ’s sufferings is our participation.”

 

[Didi]

Yes, what is lacking is our participation. This is the Catholic teaching.

There is an excellent booklet by an author named John Downs, who suffered with quadriplegia for about 40 years. He wrote one of the best explanations of the Catholic teaching of suffering I have ever read (and I’ve read quite a bit), by including the teachings of the saints, Sacred Scripture, and papal encyclicals. It is available here:

www.johnfdowns.com

 

[Todd_Easton]

Here’s my :twocents: …
Because of his Damascus road experience, when Jesus asked Paul (then Saul), Why do you persecute me?, Paul understood that Jesus and his Church are one. When Paul refers to the sufferings of Christ in Col 1:24, I believe he is referring to the sufferings of both the head (Jesus) and the body (the Church). Though the sufferings of the head (Jesus) were completed when he died on Calvary, the sufferings of the body (the Church) will continue on earth until Christ’s Second Coming. When Paul refers to what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ, he is referring to what is yet lacking in the sufferings of the body (the Church), not what is lacking in the sufferings of the head (Jesus).

 

[DaveD]

The Lord’s suffering is not lacking in the fact that it is sufficient for our redemption.

However, what is lacking is the part that Christ’s servants will play. The Lord left the Church in the hands of his friends. If they fail to carry out the great commission then it will not get carried out. Not only them, but all the Church must take up their cross and follow him. We are assured that the mission will always be carried out because our Lord told us that the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Paul was suffering greatly. He had lost his home, family and friends. He was hunted by the Jewish authorities. He was arrested by the Roman authorities many times. He was beaten, mocked, shipwrecked, snakebit, and shackled. He gave up his life to help build the kingdom of God. He spread the word to almost the entire Roman empire. But he rejoiced in the privilage he had been given to suffer for the benefit of the people of God. He was finally beheaded not too far from where St. Peter’s Bascillica stands today. Those who have lost their lives to serve the people of God can be seen any time one wants to go to a Catholic Church.