18 He is also the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, having the highest position1:18 Literally, "first-born," as in verse 15, showing that even though Jesus was not the first person ever to be resurrected, he held the highest position of any. of those raised from the dead, so that he is supreme in everything.
24 I’m happy to have trouble for your sake, for by means of what happens to me physically I’m part of Christ’s sufferings that he continues to experience for the sake of his body, the church.