The Mystery Revealed: Colossians 1:24-2:5

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.

Paul glanced at his chains. Suffering. But rejoicing in it.

What is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions. Not that Christ's atonement was incomplete—that work was finished. But the church still suffered. Christ's body still experienced affliction. And Paul's sufferings contributed to that quota.

For the sake of his body, which is the church. The suffering had purpose. The chains had meaning.