What is Lacking in the Sufferings of Christ?

WHAT IS LACKING IN THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST?

By Ezekiel Kimosop 

How can Christ’s death on the cross be sufficient for salvation when Paul speaks of what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ?

Colossians 1:24-26 says: "I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, 26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints." (NKJV). 

In Colossians 1:24-29, Paul celebrates the significance of his sacrificial service for Christ. He had suffered multiple afflictions in his missionary journeys to the Gentile people. These are perhaps more prominently outlined in 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 which says:

"Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. 24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— 28 besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches." (NKJV). 

Paul reminded the Colossians that there were sacrifices that God requires of the church to reach out to the lost so that Christ's sacrifice on the cross shall not be in vain. Christ had accomplished the works of atonement at Calvary. It is now upon the church to take the gospel to the world. 

The gospel effort seeks to fill a divine gap by proclaiming Christ and drawing sinners to God through Him. Paul sought to be counted among those who would endure afflictions to fulfil this divine calling in Christ. This is what was lacking, nay, outstanding. It is the burden that the church must carry until Christ is revealed. 

Paul's statement in Colossians 1:24 should therefore be understood within the passage context of Colossians 1:24-29 read together with other relevant passages of Scripture. Paul does not imply that Christ's sacrifice at Calvary was insufficient or incomplete! 

The text simply serves to project the enormity of the sacrifices awaiting the ministers of the gospel in taking the gospel to a hostile and difficult world. It underscores the burden and the urgency behind the the Macedonian call. Preaching Christ crucified will cost us resources, time, personal sacrifices, and afflictions. It is not a task for the faint hearted. Matthew 24:14 says, "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come." (NKJV). 

© Ezekiel Kimosop 2026