Colossians 1:24

1:23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:

KJV

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Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and fill up on my part that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the assembly;

Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:

1:25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; to fulfil: or, fully to preach the word

What does Colossians 1:24 mean?

Colossians 1:24 is a verse in the book of Colossians, in the New Testament. In the original Greek, key words include ὅς ἥ ὅ (hos), νῦν (nun), χαίρω (chairo). It connects to 10 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Greek interlinear

Whoὅς ἥ ὅhosG3739he hay, and neuter ho ho probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article 3588); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc. See also 3757.

nowνῦνnun/noon/G3568a primary particle of present time; "now" (as adverb of date, a transition or emphasis); also as noun or adjective present or immediate:--henceforth, + hereafter, of late, soon, present, this (time). See also 3569, 3570.

rejoiceχαίρωchairo/khah'-ee-ro/G5463a primary verb; to be "cheer"ful, i.e. calmly happy or well-off; impersonally, especially as salutation (on meeting or parting), be well:--farewell, be glad, God speed, greeting, hall, joy(- fully), rejoice.

inἐνen/en/G1722a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.

myἐγώmou/moo/G3450the simpler form of 1700; of me:--I, me, mine (own), my.

sufferingsπάθημαpathema/path'-ay-mah/G3804from a presumed derivative of 3806; something undergone, i.e. hardship or pain; subjectively, an emotion or influence:-- affection, affliction, motion, suffering.

forὑπέρhuper/hoop-er'/G5228a primary preposition; "over", i.e. (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case superior to, more than:--(+ exceeding, abundantly) above, in (on) behalf of, beyond, by, + very chiefest, concerning, exceeding (above, -ly), for, + very highly, more (than), of, over, on the part of, for sake of, in stead, than, to(-ward), very. In the comparative, it retains many of the above applications.

you,σύhumon/hoo-mone'/G5216genitive case of 5210; of (from or concerning) you:--ye, you, your (own, -selves).

andκαίkai/kahee/G2532apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.

fill

upἀνταναπληρόωantanapleroo/an-tan-ap-lay-ro'-o/G466from 473 and 378; to supplement:--fill up.

that

which

behindὑστέρημαhusterema/hoos-ter'-ay-mah/G5303from 5302; a deficit; specially, poverty:--that which is behind, (that which was) lack(-ing), penury, want.

the

afflictionsθλῖψιςthlipsis/thlip'-sis/G2347from 2346; pressure (literally or figuratively):--afflicted(-tion), anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble.

ChristΧριστόςChristos/khris-tos'/G5547from 5548; anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus:--Christ.

myἐγώmou/moo/G3450the simpler form of 1700; of me:--I, me, mine (own), my.

fleshσάρξsarx/sarx/G4561probably from the base of 4563; flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e. (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or as the symbol of what is external, or as the means of kindred), or (by implication) human nature (with its frailties (physically or morally) and passions), or (specially), a human being (as such):--carnal(-ly, + -ly minded), flesh(-ly).

hisαὐτόςautos/ow-tos'/G846from the particle au (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare 848.

body'sσῶμαsoma/so'-mah/G4983from 4982; the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively:--bodily, body, slave.

sake,ὑπέρhuper/hoop-er'/G5228a primary preposition; "over", i.e. (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case superior to, more than:--(+ exceeding, abundantly) above, in (on) behalf of, beyond, by, + very chiefest, concerning, exceeding (above, -ly), for, + very highly, more (than), of, over, on the part of, for sake of, in stead, than, to(-ward), very. In the comparative, it retains many of the above applications.

which

isὅhoG3603from the neuter of 3739 and the third person singular present indicative of 1510; which is:--called, which is (make), that is (to say).

the

church:ἐκκλησίαekklesia/ek-klay-see'-ah/G1577from a compound of 1537 and a derivative of 2564; a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both):--assembly, church.

Commentary on Colossians 1:24

HENRY_FULL · Colossians 1:23–25

The Apostle's Affection and Hope. ( a. d. 62.) 9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; 10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; 11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. These verses contain the prayers he put up for them. Paul often let his friends know what it was he begged of God for them, that they might know what to beg for themselves and be directed in their own prayers, and that they might be encouraged to hope they should receive from God the quickening, strengthening, everlasting, comforting grace, which so powerful an intercessor as Paul asked of God for them. It is an encouragement to us to know that we are prayed for by our friends, who, we have reason to think, have an interest at the throne of grace. It was intended likewise for their direction in their walk, and that they might labour to answer his prayers for them; for by this it would appear that God had answered them. Paul, in praying thus for them, expected good concerning them. It is an inducement to us to do our duty, that we may not disappoint the expectations of praying friends and ministers. He prayed, 1. That they might be a loving people, and that good affections might abound among them; That your love might abound yet more and more. He means it of their love to God, and one another, and all men. Love is the fulfilling both of the law and of the gospel. Observe, Those who abound much in any grace have still need to abound more and more, because there is still something wanting in it and we are imperfect in our best attainments. 2. That they might be a knowing and judicious people: that love might abound in knowledge and in all judgment. It is not a blind love that will recommend us to God, but a love grounded upon knowledge and judgment. We must love God because of his infinite excellence and loveliness, and love our brethren because of what we see of the image of God upon them. Strong passions, without knowledge and a settled judgment, will not make us complete in the will of God, and sometimes do more hurt than good. The Jews had a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge, and were transported by it to violence and rage, Rom. x. 2 ; John xvi. 2 . 3. That they might be a discerning people. This would be the effect of their knowledge and judgment: That you may approve the things which are excellent ( v. 10 ); or, as it is in the margin, Try the things which differ; eis to dokimazein humas ta diapheronta, that we may approve the things which are excellent upon the trial of them, and discern their difference from other things. Observe, The truths and laws of Christ are excellent things; and it is necessary that we every one approve them, and esteem them such. We only need to try them, to approve of them; and they will easily recommend themselves to any searching and discerning mind. 4. That they might be an honest upright-hearted people: That you may be sincere. Sincerity is our gospel perfection, that in which we should have our conversation in the world, and which is the glory of all our graces. When the eye is single, when we are inward with God in what we do, are really what we appear to be, and mean honestly, then we are sincere. 5. That they might be an inoffensive people: that you may be without offence until the day of Christ; not apt to take offence; and very careful not to give offence to God or their brethren, to live in all good conscience before God ( Acts xxiii. 1 ), and to exercise ourselves to have always a conscience void of offence towards God and towards men, Acts xxiv. 16 . And we must continue to the end blameless, that we may be presented so at the day of Christ. He will present the church without spot or wrinkle ( Eph. v. 27 ), and present believers faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, Jude 24 . 6. That they might be a fruitful useful people ( v. 11 ): Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, &c. From God is our fruit found, and therefore from him it must be asked. The fruits of righteousness are the evidences and effects of our sanctification, the duties of holiness springing from a renewed heart, the root of the matter in us. Being filled with them. Observe, Those who do much good should still endeavour to do more. The fruits of righteousness, brought forth for the glory of God and edification of his church, should really fill us, and wholly take us up. Fear not being emptied by bringing forth the fruits of righteousness, for you will be filled with them. These fruits are by Jesus Christ, by his strength and grace, for without him we can do nothing. He is the root of the good olive, from which it derives its fatness. We are strong in the grace which is in Christ Jesus ( 2 Tim. ii. 1 ) and strengthened with might by his Spirit ( Eph. iii. 16 ), and they are unto the glory and praise of God. We must not aim at our own glory in our fruitfulness, but at the praise and glory of God, that God may be glorified in all things ( 1 Peter iv. 11 ), and whatsoever we do we must do all to the glory of God, 1 Cor. x. 31 . It is much for the honour of God, when Christians not only are good, but do good, and abound in good works.

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Exodus 18:11

Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them.

Esther 9:1

Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king's commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them, (though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them;)

Acts 8:4

Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

Acts 11:19

Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.

Acts 21:28

Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.

Acts 22:1

Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you.

Acts 28:1

And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.

Romans 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:37

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

2 Timothy 2:9

Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

Topics

Paul Preaching Titles and Names of Ministers Titles and Names of the Church

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Colossians 1:24.

Matthew 3:11

I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

Matthew 3:17

And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Matthew 5:12

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Acts 5:41

And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

John 16:22

And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

Matthew 1:23

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. they: or, his name shall be called

Matthew 10:14

And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.

Matthew 10:37

He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

Frequently asked questions

What does Colossians 1:24 say?

Colossians 1:24 (King James Version) reads: "Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:"

Is Colossians 1:24 in the Old or New Testament?

Colossians 1:24 is in the New Testament of the Bible, in the book of Colossians.

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As you read Colossians 1:24, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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