The Apostle’s Tribulations Are the Church’s Glory

“So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.” Verse 13.

All those who are servants of the Lord in spirit and truth know that there are two kinds of tribulations: first, tribulations for our own sake; second, those on behalf of the church. God does it this way so that those who serve and minister in the church will have the advantage of having already been tried in those areas in which they will be serving others. Tribulations on behalf of the church are far greater than personal tribulations. Therefore, these tribula­tions mold and educate these ministering brothers to a far greater degree than personal tribulations do. The Apostle wanted the Colossians to know how great a conflict he had had for them and for the church in Laodicea. (Colossians 2:1.)

The Apostle bore the brunt of all these internal controversies; it was up to him to clear up the difficulties. Therefore, his fervent wish was that their hearts might be comforted and that they might attain to all the riches of the full assurance of insight in the knowl­edge of God’s mystery, which is Christ. Their vision would be clari­fied as they realized what great tribulations he had undergone for their sakes. He who was regarded as being so lowly among them (because of their ignorance) would suddenly become great. And his tribulations for them, which ought to have been to their shame, would now redound to their honor when their eyes were opened to how much God and people had sacrificed for their sakes.

Paul’s fervent wish was that they might attain to God’s mystery. All strength has its basis in a mystery. Even the strength of law­lessness has its roots in mysteries. That’s why it is written, “the mystery of lawlessness.” The one whose source is the mysteries of Christ is not tossed about by the doctrines of men and strange interpretations of the Scriptures. Our wish, like the Apostle’s, is that the people of God might attain to a solid insight into the knowl­edge of God’s mystery—Christ. But on the way to this goal there are tribulations of all kinds which, once they become known, will redound to the glory of the church and its apostles.