Note 1 at Col. 1:24: THLIPSIS is the Greek word which was translated "afflictions" in this verse. It literally means "pressure." Afflictions therefore can be any pressures which come against us because of our stand for Christ.

Note 2 at Col. 1:24: All of Christ's sufferings did not end when He finished His earthly ministry. He still takes the persecution of His people personally as can be seen by His statement to Saul on the road to Damascus: "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" He didn't ask Paul why he was persecuting His people. He said, "Why are you persecuting Me?" When we are persecuted for righteousness' sake, it is actually Christ who is being persecuted (see note 4 at Acts 9:4, p. 621).

Therefore, Christ is still suffering persecution today when His people are persecuted and will continue to do so until the establishment of His physical kingdom. The persecutions which are still taking place today and will take place in the future are the afflictions which are yet to come, which Paul is speaking of here.