Ministerial Insights in Colossians 1:24-2:7

A careful reading of Colossians allows us to appreciate some ministerial insights. After establishing congregations, the apostle Paul usually organized them with elders to shepherd them, and after leaving he maintained communication with them and was continually aware of the challenges they faced. Paul was a missionary with the heart of a shepherd. He exhorted, corrected and prayed for the churches. In Colossians 1:24-2:7, we learn of his sufferings, his lifelong struggle against false teachers, and his love for his brothers and sisters.

1. The sufferings inherent to the Christian ministry.

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. (1:24) 

Paul suffered for his brethren and considered his afflictions for them to be the continuation of those of Christ—not in a redemptive sense, of course, but rather as the price he happily paid for following his Lord and fulfilling the mission entrusted to him. He thought that this suffering was a preamble to his participation with Christ in his coming glory:

Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. (Romans 8:17-18)

Suffering and ministry were in Paul’s experience, two elements of a binomial: 

Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? (2 Corinthians 11:23-29)

Those who aspire to a Christian ministry with the expectation of having a restful and entertaining life should reconsider it. Otherwise, they will either suffer great disappointment or will become irrelevant for the flock of Christ. 

2. The struggle against false teachers

I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally…  in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ,  in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.  I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. (2:1, 2c-4)

Paul does not hide from the Colossians his anxiety for them and for those of Laodicea (4:16) and Hierapolis (4:13), the three main cities of the Lycus Valley equally affected by the same false teaching. His opponents were probably Judaizers who taught an amalgamation of Mosaic Law and Gospel.

The defense of the gospel remains an important part of the ministerial work today. Ontological truth exists. Christ’s truth exists. And the responsibility of the Christian minister is to make the best effort to get closer and closer to it and defend it humbly, but firmly. The Spirit cannot guide us into error. It is crucial to teach the truth of the gospel, even if this upsets some people or causes us rejection or isolation. 

3. The unconditional love for Christ's flock
For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is. (2:5)

Paul loved the brethren as a father loves his children. He was spiritually connected with them and carried them in his heart. He participated in their lives and felt that their problems were his own. He felt responsible for them. This love for the churches was a product of his love for Christ. Loving Christ and loving his flock go hand in hand. One cannot love Christ and not love His church. This explains Christ's insistent question to Peter before his ascension (John 21:15-17).

This is why it is virtually impossible to shepherd well the flock of Christ from an office in the church building. The effective Christian minister knows where the members of his congregation live because he spends time with them, eats with them, celebrates special dates with them and sometimes cries with them. They are his family. 

The Christian minister—if genuine—will have marks on his body and soul. This is part of the cost that a servant of God must pay. In an era of philosophical relativism, defending the truth of Christ is an inevitable challenge. Loving the flock of Christ is the sine qua non for an effective ministry.