Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake (Colossians 4:3; Ephesians 3:1, Ephesians 3:13; Ephesians 6:19,. 20; Philippians 1:12, Philippians 1:16, Philippians 1:29; Philippians 2:17; Philemon 1:9, Philemon 1:13; 2 Timothy 1:11, 2 Timothy 1:12; Acts 9:16; Acts 26:29).
"Who" is wanting in the older manuscripts. The abruptness of expression indicates a sudden outburst of feeling. "Now—as these thoughts fill my mind" (Lightfoot); or, better, "In my present position (with the chain round my wrist:" Eadie).
St. Paul's sufferings as apostle of the Gentiles and in defence of their rights in the gospel—so "for your sake" (comp. Acts 13:44-50; Acts 22:21, Acts 22:22; 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16; Romans 15:16; Galatians 5:11; 1 Timothy 2:7)—were matter of joy to him as they were of benefit to them.
And am filling up in my turn the things that are lacking of the afflictions of Christ (Mark 10:39; John 15:20; Romans 8:17; 2 Corinthians 1:5; 2 Timothy 2:12; Philippians 3:10). "Am filling up" ( ἀναπληρόω) has the same object ( ὑστέρημα) in 1 Corinthians 16:17; Philippians 2:30.
Here it is further compounded with ἀντί ("over against"), which implies some sort of correspondence—between defect and supply, say Meyer, Alford, Ellicott; but this is surely contained in the idea of filling up, whereas ἀντὶ bears as a rule, and always in St.
Paul, a distinct and pointed reference of its own. "He says not simply ἀναπληρῶ, but ἀνταναπληρῶ, that is, Instead of the Lord and Master, I the slave and disciple" (Photius). Christ, the Head, had borne his part, now the apostle in turn fills up his part, in the great sum of suffering to be undergone on behalf of the body of Christ (see parallels).
The verb being so understood, then, with Lightfoot, we infer that "the afflictions of Christ" (a phrase peculiar. to this passage).