Colossians 1:24-29

Paul's Ministry to the Church

²⁴ Now _j I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh _k I am filling up _l what is lacking in Christ's afflictions _m for the sake of his body, that is, the church, ²⁵ _n of which I became a minister according to _o the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, ²⁶ _p the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. ²⁷ _q To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are _r the riches of the glory of _p this mystery, which is Christ in you, _s the hope of glory. ²⁸ Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that _t we may present everyone _u mature in Christ. ²⁹ For this _v I toil, _w struggling _x with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

1. Cross References
   2 Corinthians 7:4
   I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy.
   
2. Cross References
   2 Timothy 1:8
   Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God.
   2 Timothy 2:10
   Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
   
3. Cross References
   2 Corinthians 1:5
   For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.
   
4. Cross References
   Ephesians 4:12
   To equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.
   
5. Cross References
   Colossians 1:23
   If indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.
   
6. Cross References
   Ephesians 3:2
   Assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you.
   
7. Cross References
   Ephesians 3:9
   And to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things.
   Romans 16:25 - 26
   Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages
   
8. Cross References
   Colossians 2:2
   That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ.
   
9. Cross References
   Ephesians 1:18
   Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.
   Ephesians 3:16
   That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being.
   
10. Cross References
    Colossians 1:26
    The mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints.
    
11. Cross References
    1 Timothy 1:1
    Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope.
    
12. Cross References
    Colossians 1:22 - 23
    He has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him.
    
13. Cross References
    Matthew 5:48
    You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
    
14. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 15:10
    But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.
    1 Timothy 4:10
    For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.
    
15. Cross References
    Colossians 4:12
    Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.
    Colossians 2:1
    For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face.
    
16. Cross References
    Ephesians 1:19
    And what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might