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:
Who. So Delta G f g, Vulgate. But A B C omit "who:" 'Now I rejoice.' To enhance Christ's glory as paramount, he mentions his own sufferings for Christ's church. "Now" stands in contrast to 'I was made,' in the past (Colossians 1:23).
For [ huper (G5228 )] you - `on your behalf,' that ye may be confirmed in resting solely on Christ (not on angels) by His glorification in my sufferings (Ephesians 3:1).
Fill up, х autanapleeroo (G466): am filling up with a corresponding supply]
That which is behind х ta (G3588) hustereemata (G5303)] - 'the deficiencies'-all that are lacking of the That which is behind, х ta (G3588) hustereemata (G5303)] - 'the deficiencies'-all that are lacking of the afflictions of Christ (note, 2 Corinthians 1:5). Christ is 'afflicted in all His people's afflictions' (Isaiah 63:9). 'The Church is His body, in which He is, dwells, lives, and therefore also suffers' (Vitringa). Christ was destined to endure certain afflictions in this figurative body, as well as in His literal; 'that which was behind of these afflictions of Christ,' Paul 'filled up.' Christ's meritorious sufferings in expiation for sin were once for all completely filled up on the cross, and need not supplementing; but His Church (His second Self) has her complete measure of afflictions fixed, which He regards as His. The more Paul, a member, endured, the less remain for the rest of the Church, the communion of saints giving them an interest in His sufferings (1 Corinthians 12:26). She is afflicted, to promote her completeness in Christ. Not one suffering is lost (Psalms 56:8). Rome's inference is utterly false, that the Church has a stock treasury of the merits and satisfactions of Christ and His apostles, out of which she dispenses indulgences: the context has no reference to sufferings in expiation of sin and productive of merit. Believers should regard their sufferings less in relation to themselves as individuals, and more as parts of a grand whole, carrying out God's perfect plan. "In my flesh" forms a beautiful contrast to 'His body the Church,' and answers to "in the body of His flesh" (Colossians 1:22; 2 Corinthians 4:11).