Colossians 1:24-29 The Man in the Arena
Paul, suffering for the Church, rejoices that he aligns himself with Christ's suffering for the Church. He also marvels that he may reveal the great mystery of Christ, namely Christ in you — even to Gentiles. Such good news drives him to strive to make this known to all.
“Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness—the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.”