Why does Paul stress his ministry and authority before writing Colossians 1:24?
Paul establishes that his ministry is from God so his words carry God's authority. That authority is necessary before he speaks of rejoicing in sufferings for the Church and filling up Christ's afflictions in his flesh for His body's sake—the Church—a truth not found in Peter or Jesus' prophetic ministry to Israel.
Les teaches that Paul has to let us know he is God's authority, so Paul himself can write Colossians 1:24. In that verse Paul rejoices in his sufferings for the Church and fills up what is behind of the afflictions of Christ in his flesh for His body's sake. Les clarifies that this body is not Christ's fleshly body but the Church. He adds that Peter never used such words, and Jesus did not talk about the Body of Christ, because they dealt with Israel and the prophetic.
Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:
More Questions
Why did Paul need to establish his authority before writing Colossians 1:24?
Paul had to make known that he was God's authority so that he could write the Colossians 1:24 statement.
Why does Paul keep asserting his ministry and authority in his letters?
Paul had to establish that he was God's authority so that he himself could write the things he wrote.
What does 'his body's sake' mean in Colossians 1:24?
When Paul writes 'for his body's sake' in Colossians 1:24, he does not mean Christ's body of flesh but the Church.
How does Paul refer to the church in passages such as Colossians 1:24?
Paul almost always says 'the body, which is his church' or 'the church, which is his body,' and hardly ever refers to the church just as 'the church.'