Christ's suffering servant

In throwing his apostolic weight behind the truth preached by Epaphras and against the falsehoods peddled by the errorists of Colosse, Paul sets out the manner and aims of his own ministry, a stewardship from God on behalf of the church.

He opens his heart, and gives us the servant perspective that governs his labours.

Here we see his joy in suffering (a distinctively Christian response to distinctively Christian tribulations), his identification in suffering (united with Christ, his is the privilege and dignity of being joined with Christ in his afflictions, a member of the body still assaulted, thus hastening the coming judgement), and his purpose in suffering (all is done for the sake of the body of Christ, the church).

Paul sees his ministry and its associated sufferings in terms of his relationship with the Head of the body and the body itself. It is a reminder not to fear distinctively Christian suffering, which brings with it honour for Christ, blessings for ourselves, and good for Christ's church.