Ver. 24.-The privilege of suffering. Following the Revised Version, and omitting "who," we notice that there is an abrnptness in the way in which the apostle breaks forth into thanksgiving at the thought of bis sufferings. "Now I rejoice," etc. The underlying thought seems to be this : "If ever I have been disposed to repine at my lot, if ever I have felt my cross almost too heavy to bear, yet now, now when I con- template the lavish wealth of God's mercy, now when I see all the glory of bearing a part in this magnificent work, my sorrow is turned into joy" (Lightfoot). In a measure every Christian labourer may enter into Paul's joy because be may share his motives also. \Ve note two reasons for regarding suffering as a privilege. I. WE MAY THUS KNOW THE FELLOWSHIP OF CmnsT's SUFFERINGS. "I fill up on my part that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh." The oneness of Christ and bis people is the key to these mysterious words. In 1 Cor. xii. 12 even the name " Christ" is given to the body as well as the Head. The sufferings which Christians endure are endured by Christ their Head in them; e.g. Matt. xx.v. 35, etc.; Acts ix. 4; 2 Cor. i. 5; Heb. xiii. 13. Jesus Christ during bis earthly life endurerl sufferings which were peculiar to himself. They were vicarious, propitiatory, and meritorious. They are "finished" (Rom. vi. 9, 10). But the time of suffering is not yet past (Rom. viii. 23). Till the period of education and probation is past, there are afflictions of Christ yet to be filled up (cf. Rev. xxi. 4, 5). They are needful for the accomplishment, not of the atoning, but of the saving work of Christ. And if he selects us to be members in whom he is pleased to fill up some of his sufferings, we may regard it as a privilege rather than as an infliction. The term for " fill up" is very emphatic. It suggests the thought of completing, in response to or in exchange for something else ; as though Paul meant" He suffered for my redemption ; shall I not in my turn suffer for bis glory and the good of his Church?'' All sufferings which we endure as Christians may be privileges because promoting the work of full salvation in our own souls (John xv. 2; 1 Pet. v.10, etc.). But when the apostle expresses his ardent desire to "know the fellowship of bis sufferings" (Phil. iii. 8-10), we think be desired to share sufferings like those of Christ so far as a saved sinner can enter into fellowship with the sinless Saviour. This may be the case: 1. When our sufferings arise from the same cause, viz. sin, whether in ourselves (2 Cor. vii. 9) or in others. Our Lord's three recorded weepings were occasioned directly or indirectly by ~in (Luke xix:. 41; John xi. 33-35; lleb. v. 7-9). PaHl wept in sympathy with his :Master (Acts xx. 19, 31; 2 Cor. ii. 4; Phil. iii. 18). 2. When they are cndnrcd for the same end (1 John iii. 8). In seeking to rescue souls from sin we must need~ undergo self-denial and suffering. Bnt thus in an especial manner shall we bo "fill- 74 THE EPISTLE 'l'O THE COLOSSIANS. [en. 1. 1-2\lo
ing up," etc., so that Christ may the sooner "seo of the travail of hie soul and ,br blllisfied." II. vVE MAT 'l'HUS RENDER VALUADLE SERVICE TO OUR FET,Low-C,rnrsTIANB. Pnul'a present sufferings ll8 an apostle and as an ambassador in bonds at Horne were ospecially "for you" Gentiles._ And a!rllll:dy they were ,tl~e means of confening great benefits 011 !us. fcllow-Chr1s~mns _(Phil. 1. 12-,~4)... 'lh1s was a motive with the apostle iit other times (2 Cor. 1. 5; 1v. 8-15; 2 'l 1m. 11, 10), It may be enjoyed hy others-by the persecuted (Acts v. 41; Phi_!. i. 27-29), by the solf-denying n1is~ionary whose heroism kmdles the flame of zeal m other hearts, by earnest workers (1 'J.'hcss, i. 6-8) a~1_d self-den~g _givers (2 Cor. viii. 1, 2), by the in_valid who can say 2 Cor. i. 3, 4; xu. 9, 10; Phil. 1v. 11-13. Some of the best blessmgs havo como to Christ's ,, body the Church," through those members of it ,vho aro selected for especial sulforino-. S~ long as Christ's purposes are fulfilled in us we may well lea\'e the method ;f ow.- ministry calmly in his hands. Suffering may be, not a release from service or• a su"b'-, stitute for it, but the highest form of it. We may enjoy the sacred indifference of the apostle (Phil. i. 20), and look forward to an i\mple "recompense of reward" (2 Cor. iv. 17, 18; 2 Tim. ii. 12 ; 1 Pet. iv. 12, 13).-E. S. P.