An Exposition Upon Colossians, Biblical commentary 1 · Chapter 1 · Verse 24
Verse 24.
Now reioyce I in my sufferings for you, and fulfill the rest of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh, for his bodies sake, which is the Church.
THese words containe the Apostles second testimonie, and it is taken from his sufferings for the Gospell: and hee conceiueth that they hauehave great reason to perseuer in the louelove of the truth, since hee hath with ioy endured so many things for the confirmation of the doctrine he had taught.
In these words I note two things: First, the Apostles ioy in affliction: secondly, the Reasons which moued him vntounto this reioycing. His suffering in which hee doth reioyce, he amplifies by the time [now;] and the diuers sorts of crosses he endured, which he expresseth indefinitely, when he saith plurally, [my sufferings;] as also by the vse of them, [for you,] that is, for confirmation of your Faith and encouragement. The Motiues are foure, first, because they are [the afflictions of Christ,] secondly, because they are laid vponupon him by the Decree of God; his measure is set him, and hee hath almost done his taske, hee is ready to dye: thirdly, because they are but [in his flesh:] fourthly, because they were for the good of [the Church.]
Now reioyce I in my sufferings.] Doct. Gods Children hauehave much ioy;The godly reioyce in afflictions. euen in affliction they are cheerefull, and with great encouragement, they beare their Crosses aRom. 5.3. Iames 1.2. 2 Cor. 7.4. & 8.2. Heb. 11.37.: and if any aske the reason why they are so glad in their affliction and trouble; I answere, Gods Seruants are the more cheerfull vnderunder crosses, because they know: first, that the Prince of their Saluation was consecrate through affliction bHeb. 2.10.. Secondly, that their Sauiour did therefore suffer, that he might succour them that suffercHeb. 2.18. Iohn 16.33.. Thirdly, that the sting is taken out of the Crosse, and therefore it is not so painefull to them as it is to the wicked men. Fourthly,2 Cor. 1.5. &c. that the same afflictions are vponupon their brethren that are in the world d1 Pet. 5.9.. Fiftly,The reasons why the godly are so cheerfull in affliction. that the way to life is such a kind of way, a strait & narrow troublesome way eMat. 7.4.. Sixtly, that after all their troubles are a while borne in this world, they shall hauehave rest with the blessed in heauen, when the Lord Iesus shall be reuealed, and better & more enduring substance, then any here they can want or loose fHeb. 10.34. 2 Thes. 1.6.7.. Yea, that their afflictions are to be accounted a part of that treasure that they would lay vp against the last day. Seauenthly, that God will in the meane time comfort them in all their tribulation g2 Cor. 1.4.. Eightly, that their manifold temptations serue for great vse; as for their tryall of their precious Faith, and refining of all Graces, with the purging out of much drosse and corruption in their natures h1 Pet. 1.6.7.. Ninthly, that no afflictions can seperate them from the louelove of God in Christ, with many other reasons, which I might instance in, besides those mentioned in the end of this Verse. If any yet aske, how Gods Seruans hauehave attained to such Ioy, since there are worlds of people, that in their troubles, could neuer be induced to conceiue of such contentment, by any reason could be brought them; I answere, that there are diuers things in Gods Children, which are not in wicked men; which are great causes of, and helpes to ioy in tribulation: As, first, they will receiue the light, and treasure vp holy knowledge, which they finde singular vse of in their Troubles: whereas an ignorant mind is vsually attended with a distempered hart iHeb. 10.32.34. Secondly, they hauehave Faith in God, and carry about in their hearts the warme and inflamed louelove of Iesus Christ, and are therefore able to trust in Gods prouidence in any distresse k1 Pet. 1.7.8.. Thirdly, Gods Children hold such a course as this when as foreign, the sufferings which are mala poenae, euils of punishment doe fall vponupon them, they presently run and reuenge themselues vponupon those inward foreign, mala culpae, euils of sinne; euen their secret passions and affections, and by crucifying them, they worke their peace and tranquilitie within themselues: for no man would be hurt by his afflictions without, if he would mortifie his passions within lGal. 5.24.. Fourthly, they are much in Prayer, and keepe a good Conscience, in an vpright, innocent and sincere conuersation m2 Cor. 1.5.11.12.. And lastly, the word is a continuall Fountaine of ioy in all troubles, which keepes them from discouragement, or vnquietnesse. Psal. 119.
For you.] These words may be referred eyther to reioyce, or to Sufferings. It is true, Gods seruants doe feele great ioy one for another n1 Thes. 3.7.. And to thinke of the grace or prosperitie of other of Gods Seruants, is many times a great comfort in trouble. But I rather thinke the words are to be referred to [Sufferings] and then the sense may be, for you, that is, for the doctrine, which as the Apostle of the Gentiles, I taught you: Or for the confirmation of your Faith, and encouragement to like patience. And the rather, because the offering of him vp for the sacrifice and seruice of their Faith, was as the consecration of the first fruits to God, vponupon which followed a greater blessing vponupon the whole Church.
Vses.The consideration hereof should teach Gods people, not to faint at the troubles of their Teachers, since they are for them, (though to carnall reason it seemes contrary,) yea, the Apostle, Ephes. 3.13. saith, it is their glory. Which also shewes the vaine paines that wicked men take, when they persecute faithfull Teachers: for though they thinke thereby to plague the people, that so greatly relie vponupon them; yet indeede God turnes all so for the best, that those sufferings are for them, and not against them. And if wicked men were thus perswaded, they would spare such wicked labour: and if the godly could beleeue this, it would make them vnmoueable in trouble; for what shall make against them, if this kind of troubles make for them?
And fulfill the rest of the afflictions of Christ.] Some of the late Papists gather from these words, that CHRIST did not suffer all that was needfull for mans deliuerance from sinne, but left a deale to be suffered by his members, especially men of principall note: and hence grew their Supererogation, Satisfactory paines, and Indulgences. But that this cannot be the meaning of this place, is cleare, first, because that doctrine is contrary to other Scriptures, as Esay 53.4.5.6.8.10.11.12. Iohn 19.30. Heb. 10.1. to 15. Heb. 9. 14.25.26. 2 Cor. 5.14. 1 Iohn 2.1. Psal. 49 7. Secondly, themselues being Iudges, this sense brings in a grosse absurditie: for if the words be vnderstood of the suffering Christ left to his people, to endure for satisfaction for sinne, then it will follow, that Paul suffered all was wanting, and so there should remaine none for any other to suffer; for he saith, he suffered the rest of the sufferings of Christ. Thirdly, Caluin and Fulk say, that none of the Fathers did here thus vnderstand the words:August. tract. 84. in Iohn. and it is plaine, that S. Augustine is flat against this sense, when hee saith, Though Brethren dye for Brethren, yet no bloud of Martyres is shed for remission of sinnes: this Christ onelyonly hath done. And Leo, a Pope, could say, The iust receiue, not giuegive Crownes. And out of the fortitude of the faithfull, arise examples of Patience, not gifts of Righteousnesse. Fourthly, the next Verse cleareth this: for hee did thus suffer, according to the dispensation giuen him of God. Now, hee was giuen to edifie, not to redeeme the Church. Fiftly, their Schoole-Diuines are against them; the Glosse hath it thus, Pro vobis, i. Confirmandis in doctrina Euangelij. Aquinas doubts not to say, that to affirme that the Passions of the Saints are added to make vp, or fulfill the Passion of Christ, is hereticall. Caietan referres the words, quae desunt vntounto in carne mea. The plaine meaning is, that the Apostle did endure that measure of affliction that GOD in his counsell had appointed him to endure for the Name and Gospell of CHRIST, and the good of the Church, in the confirmation and encouraging of mens mindes in the truth of the Gospell.
Of Christ.] His sufferings may be said to be the sufferings of Christ,How our afflictions are the afflictions of Christ. eyther as Christ is taken for the whole mysticall body, (which is not strange in Scripture; for by Christ, in 1 Cor. 12. hee meaneth the body of Christ,) or as hee is the head of the Church: and so the afflictions of Gods seruants may be said to be his sufferings; eyther because they be such as hee should suffer himselfe, if hee were on earth; or because they were laid vponupon him by Christ, for the Churches good; or because they were for Christ and his doctrine; or because they deserue nothing, but all the praise is Christs; or because of the sympathie of Christ with the Christian, who accounts them as if they were his sufferings. And in this latter sense I thinke chiefely, these words are to be taken: for it is certaine, Christ doth so feele the miseries of his people, that hee accounts them in that respect, to be his owne miseries, as these places shew, Heb. 4.15. Rom. 8.17. Mat. 25.42. &c. Phil. 3.10. 1 Pet. 4.13. 2 Cor. 1.4. Acts. 9.4. Hence grew that witty diuision of Christs sufferings into foreign and foreign; so as the first should be vnderstood of the sufferings he endured in his owne person, and the latter of the sufferings he felt in his members.
The consideration of this,Vses. that Christ accounteth the afflictions of his members to be his owne, may serue for diuers vses: For first, it shewes that they be in a wofull case, that hauehave ought to doe against Christ Ministers, or any of his Seruants. They would easily graunt it, that the Iewes were brought into great distresse, by the wrongs they did to Christ himselfe; then must it also follow that they cannot scape scot-free, that despise, reuile, traduce, or any way abuse the Messengers or Seruants of Christ, since hee accounts it as done to himselfe. Secondly, this may be a wonderfull motiue to stirre vsus vp to be industrious in well-doing, and in helping and relieuing the poore Members of Christ, since we are sure to hauehave thankes and reward from Christ himselfe, as if wee had done it to him. Lastly, in all our sufferings wee should striue that wee might be assured that our sufferings are his sufferings. And that it might be so, wee must be sure of two things: 1. that wee be found in him oPhil. 1.9.10; for vnlesse wee be the members of Christ, we cannot hauehave the benefit of this Sympathie: 2. that we suffer not for ill doing p2 Pet 4.15. &c..
Rest of his sufferings.] Doct. So long as Christ shall hauehave a member on earth, there will rest something for him, to suffer in his members: and therefore wee should learne not to promise our selues rest and ease while we are in this world.
To fulfill.] The word signifieth, eyther to doe it in stead of another, as if the Souldier fight in his Captaines roome; or to doe it in his owne course or turne, according to the appointment of his Gouernour, and in such proportion as is required: and thus I thinke it is taken here. It is certaine, that all the Afflictions of the members of Christ come from Gods decree, and the continuance and measure of them is appointed of God qReu 2.8 10. Esay 27.7.8.9. 1 Thes. 3.3.4.. And therefore. it should encourage eueryevery Christian the more chearefully in his course, and when his turne comes, to take vp his crosse and follow Christ, and neuer stand much vponupon the malice of men, or the rage of Diuels, but to looke principally to God, with this assurance, that God will deliuer them when his measure is full.
In my flesh.] Doct. First, God doth afflict the flesh of his Seruants, hee spareth not the best of his Seruants herein.Vses. Vse is, to teach vsus, therefore not to pamper our flesh, but to be resolued to suffer it willingly, to be vsed like the flesh of Christ and the Saints. But especially, we should take heede of taking care for the flesh, rRom 13. vlt., or seruing to the flesh sGal. 6.: It is an vnseemly thing in a Christian to make very much of his flesh, but it is worse to spend his cares about it, but worst of all to let his whole husbandry be onelyonly for his outward man.
Why some of Gods seruants are so vnmoueable in affliction.Secondly, great things may be suffered, and yet the soule be vntouched: as here the Apostles sufferings (which were exceeding great and manifold) reach onelyonly to his flesh; they enter not into his soule. And the reason why some of Gods Seruants are so vnmoueable in their crosses, is, because they conuerse in heauen, and their spirits walke with God, and so are without reach of these earthly perturbations. Besides, when a mans heart is setled, and grounded in the truth, and in the assurance of Gods louelove, what should disquiet his soule that knoweth nothing to mourne for but sinne, and the absence of God? and nothing ioyous, but what comes from the light of Gods countenance?
Thirdly, he that hath felt the troubles of the soule for sinne, is not much troubled with the crosses that are but outward.Note. The vse is, for great reproofe of carnall Christians, that are seldome obserued to grieue, but when somewhat ayleth their flesh; but on the other side, are not at all touched with the miseries of the soule. As also, wee should learne of the Apostle, in all outward crosses, to say with our selues, why should I be troubled or disquieted? or rather, why should I not be ioyous, since what I endure is but in the flesh? and since the Lord doth spare my soule, let him doe whatsoeuer pleaseth him.
Lastly, we may here note the wonderfull louelove and compassion of Christ, that pittieth not onelyonly our soules but our flesh, accounting what wee suffer, to be as his sufferings. Is it not enough that hee should accept of the contrition of our soules, but that also he should regard the sorrowes and troubles of our flesh?
Two kindes of sufferings: 1. of the Church; 2. for the Church.For his bodies sake, which is the Church.] Sufferings are of two kindes: Eyther, of the Church; or for the Church. Of the Church, are also of two kindes: Eyther, Chastisements, or Tryals. Sufferings for the Church are likewise of two sorts: Eyther, Expiation, and so Christ onelyonly suffered; or Martyrdome for confirmation of Doctrine, or incouragement in practise, and so the Saints hauehave suffered for the Church.
The principall Doctrine from hence is, that the particular sufferings of Gods Seruants, especially the Ministers, serue for the good and profit of the whole body.Vses. The Vse is manifold: First, wee should hereby be informed to minde the good of the Church, and to seeke the aduancement of Religion, and the good of religious persons, aboue our owne estate. Our care should be most for the body of Christ, and wee should reioyce in any seruice wee could doe to the Church of God. Secondly, such as are called to suffer, should labour to shew all good faithfulnesse, zeale, constancie, and holy discretion, seeing their sufferings concerne more then their owne persons. Thirdly, this should stirre vsus vp to pray for such as are in trouble for good causes, since their afflictions are some way for our sakes t2 Cor. 1.11.. Fourthly, this may encourage poore Christians, that complaine they hauehave not meanes to doe good; they may be hence informed, that if God call them thereunto, they may doe good, yea, to the whole Church, by their sufferings: no wants can hinder, but that the poorest Christian may profit others, by prayer, fastings, counsell, admonitions, comfort and suffering. Fiftly, since the sufferings of the righteous are for our confirmation and encouragement, wee should vse the meditation of such sufferings, when we finde our selues inclineable to discouragement, or impatience, or doubting. Lastly, this greatly reproues carnall Christians, which are so taken vp, generally, with the care of their naturall bodies, that they hauehave vtterly neglected the care and seruice of the mysticall Body. And in as much as men are generally so barraine in doing good, it is a plaine signe there is no hope that euer they would suffer for God.
Secondly, further hence may be noted, that the Doctrine or Sufferings of the Saints, are no priuiledge or benefit to any but the true Church; and therefore Papists hauehave no cause to boast of Peter and the Saints, so long as they remayne a false Church.
Thirdly, we may also obserue hence, that they only are the true of Church, who are of the body of Christ; and therefore we must be sure, we be members of Christ, before we glad our hearts with our priuiledge in the Church. And a member of Christ thou art not,Who are members of Christ. vnlesse, 1. thou beleeue the remission of thy sinnes; for we are ingrafted onelyonly by Faith: 2. Vnlesse thou hauehave had in thy soule an influence of holy graces from Christ, as from the head: 3. Vnlesse thou worke the workes of Christ, and bring forth the fruits of a reformed life; for thereby thou must try whether thou be a true plant in this Vine. And lastly, if thou be of this body, thou hast some roome in the affections of Gods Children, or else it will be hard to proue that thou art a fellow member.
Fourthly, here wee may see, that seldome comes there any good to the Church, but there is suffering for it; it cannot be redeemed but Christ must dye: and if the merit of this Redemption be applyed, Paul must dye. It is an ill signe thou hast no true grace, when thou sufferest nothing for the grace thou trustest to: It is an ill signe that God is not with the Watch-men of Ephraim, when they suffer nothing for the efficacie of their doctrine. Neyther may any thinke this may be preuented by meekenesse or wisedome, for the treasures of both these were in Christ, and yet hee was a man full of sorrowes.
And for conclusion,Arguments against the crosse. out of the whole Verse wee may gather together a number of Arguments against the Crosse: 1. Paul suffers: 2. One may reioyce notwithstanding afflictions: 3. The longer wee beare the crosse, the better able wee shall be to endure it; this may be gathered out of the word [Now.] 4. They are such as Christ accounts his: 5. They come from the decree of God: 6. Their measure is set by God: 7. We beare them but in our course, others hauehave gone before vsus, and after vsus must others follow: 8. Christ suffered the great brunt of Gods wrath; our sufferings are but small reliques, or parcels, that are left behinde. 9. The measure will once be full, and that shortly: 10. They are but in the flesh for the most part: 11. Christ respects the troubles of our flesh, as well as the affliction of our spirit: 12. We must profit the Church by our sufferings.