I rejoice in my sufferings

With reference to Colossians 1:24—This manifestation, then, as we have shown, had its beginning. It began in Jesus, Son of David and Son of Deity. Of him it was prophesied, "they pierced my hands and my feet." He was cut off, or covenanted; and afterwards removed by Eternal Power from this sublunary field of blood. But Jesus, though the Head, was not the Body. He had suffered, but his sufferings did not complete the sufferings of "His Body, which is the Ecclesia." Hence Paul says, "I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the affliction of the Anointed One in my flesh for His Body's sake, which is the Ecclesia" (Col. 1:24). But Paul did not consider that his sufferings, added to those of Jesus, would fill up the measure; for, in writing to the saints in Corinth he associates them with himself in the work. "As the sufferings of the Anointed One," says he, "abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth through the Anointed One. But whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is operative in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope of you is steadfast, knowing that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so ye shall be also of the consolation" (2 Cor. 1:5-7). "If we suffer, we shall also reign with him" (2 Tim. 2:12).