Sharing In Our Savior's Suffering

Before Paul’s conversion to Christ, he was the main persecutor of the early church and caused great suffering in the lives of many Christians. After he was gloriously saved on the road to Damascus, he considered it a privilege to suffer for the sake of Christ and the success of His Church. Here in this verse, Paul was rejoicing in the part he was able to play and the contribution he was able to make in advancing God’s kingdom on earth. Similarly, we have the privilege of experiencing some of the same kinds of suffering Jesus and Paul endured which ultimately aids in the continuing growth and development of Christ’s church.