King James Bible
"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:"
Paul expresses joy in his hardships endured for the Colossians' benefit, viewing his apostolic trials as purposeful rather than meaningless. This paradoxical rejoicing reflects early Christian theology where suffering for the gospel was considered a privilege and participation in Christ's mission. Paul sees his physical sufferings as completing what remains of Christ's afflictions—not adding to Christ's redemptive work, but continuing the pattern of suffering that accompanies gospel advancement. The phrase suggests a mystical union where the church's sufferings are connected to Christ's own. Paul clarifies that his sufferings serve the church, which he identifies as Christ's body—a key Pauline metaphor emphasizing the organic unity between Christ and believers. This connection explains why Paul's sufferings can be understood as extending Christ's afflictions in the world.