A. V. 24a "Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you,"

1. I wonder why this comes into play here in this letter.

2. Paul was so strong on teaching that God saves sinners and that salvation is through Jesus Christ "And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled" V. 21 but now he speaks about his sufferings.

3. I believe it was because these teachers of Gnosticism were taunting these Gentile believers about how bad Paul was because he was in jail.

4. Paul wanted this church and the world to know suffering for Christ is not a disgrace but rather an honor. If this is what God has chosen for him or any other believer then it is as honorable as any other work for Christ.

5. Suffering was no scarce thing for the Disciples of Christ.
     a. Paul also said "Philippians 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;" The word "fellowship" means [literally] participation - and suffering in this flesh is what Christ done for these Gentiles just as Paul did and even though he was a Jew {and we know the relationship of the Jews and Gentiles at this time} he was honored to participate in the suffering Christ had endured.
     b. Remember Peter and John counted it a glorious thing to also suffer for Christ. Acts 5:41 "And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name."

6. Those that refuse to suffer for Christ miss a great blessing and will miss one in eternity. Paul, Peter, John and so many other knows and holds dear to their heart the words of Jesus, Matthew 5:10-12 "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. [11.] Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. [12.] Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." Some today need to read their bibles! Not everything concerning Christ is all happy go lucky so – to – speak.

7. To suffer for Christ is a glorious honor but to suffer for sin is a disgraceful thing. 1 Peter 4:15-16 "But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. [16.] Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf."

B. V. 24b "and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh"

1. The words "fill up" means to supplement - and the word "afflictions" means persecution. Paul is saying {I now rejoice the sufferings I have suffered for this Gentile church and the gentiles in general, and in supplementing the persecution that Jesus Christ suffered in my body.

2. Please do not confuse this suffering Paul endured with the sufferings of Christ in His sinless body, however the Lord did promise we would all suffer for Him.

3. Let’s not forget the Lord charged Paul with persecuting Him, however it was His church in which Saul persecuted, however it was a supplemental persecution of Christ. Acts 9:4 "And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?"

C. V. 25a "Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God"

1. You Gentiles are the very reason God called me to the ministry Romans 11:13 "For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:

2. "according to the dispensation of God" Albert Barns defines it this way "The arrangement which God has made. That is, he designed that the gospel should be preached to the Gentiles, and, in accordance with that arrangement, he has called me to be a minister."

3. We do not choose to be saved, preach, pastor, missionary, or etc. God does the choosing and when He chooses He has a purpose and this was Paul’s purpose 1. To preach to the Gentiles and 2. to suffer in the flesh for Christ and these Gentiles.

D. V. 25b "to fulfil the word of God;"

1. Paul also said in 1 Corinthians 4:2 "Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful." A steward is one who has been put in charge or an overseer. And while this faithfulness is in all things it includes in God’s word.

2. Paul just said God has called me to be an Apostle to this church, the Gentiles, and to suffer for you in this body like as a continuation of His bodily suffering, but He also called me to be faithful in fulfilling His word.

3. It is not a choice of convenience; Paul must preach the word of God fully and not compromise it in any area. This is also the charge to every minister of the gospel. 2 Timothy 4:1-8 "I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; [2.] Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. [3.] For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; [4.] And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. [5.] But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. [6.] For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. [7.] I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: [8.] Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."

4. Just as Paul said we are as ministers are commissioned by God’s word and must be faithful in serving this office.