Lesson from February 1, 2009
We know Jesus best when we share his deepest humiliation with him. It is the glass through which we see God most clearly
-David E. Garland
The opening verse in this passage can throw us off a bit if we imagine that Paul is referring to the sufferings of Christ. His reference is to his own sufferings on Christ’s behalf, which he incurred in the process of spreading the gospel and in particular in bringing it to the gentiles. He was in prison as he wrote this letter, and had and would experience many hardships.