Overview
Paul was a servant of the gospel and a steward of the mysteries of God.
How do we serve God today, and are we using our God-given gifts in His service?
Do we shirk affliction, or are we prepared to suffer for His sake?
Understanding deep truths takes time and the careful study of the word of God. How often do we give ourselves to the detailed consideration of the scriptures?
Do I have conviction about the truth of the church, and the wonder that Christ is among His people?
Do I, like Paul, have spiritual desires for the maturity of other believers, and not just for my own personal development?
Colossians chapter 1.24 – 29
Paul’s service in the gospel.
Paul has become a minister, or servant, of the gospel. In 1st Timothy 1.11-12 he speaks of “the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.” He continues: “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry.”
Paul’s suffering for the believers.
When the risen Christ called him in Acts 9, it was made clear that suffering for His name’s sake was part of that calling (Acts 9.16). Here he reveals that his sufferings were also “for you,” the believers who formed the body of Christ. The word “now” in verse 24 demonstrates that presently, as he was incarcerated in a prison in Rome, he rejoiced that such sufferings were his portion. It reminds us of his words in Philippians 1.29: “… unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him but also to suffer for His sake.” In a unique way here Paul links his afflictions in his flesh with the afflictions of Christ Himself. Paul had been given direct revelations from the risen Christ and, in the communication of these, he was privileged to fill up the word of God. However, in the accomplishment of that, he was required to bear the afflictions of Christ.
Paul’s stewardship of the mystery
The word “dispensation” in verse 25 is the word elsewhere translated as “stewardship.” In 1st Corinthians 4.1 Paul writes: “Let a man so account of us as of the ministers of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.” Undoubtedly there are many mysteries revealed in the scriptures, and indeed W. E. Vine wrote a book called “The Twelve Mysteries Of Scripture.” These include the mystery of the Gospel, the mystery of iniquity, the mystery of Israel’s blindness, the mystery of the change to the believer’s body and the mystery of the church. This last one is the mystery here in Colossians chapter 1. In verses 26 – 27 three matters about the mystery are explained:
- The revelation of the mystery
“Ages” and “generations” are different time periods in the chronology of human history.
Here Paul explains what a mystery is. “That which has been hid from ages and from generations but now is made manifest to His saints.” Compare with this Ephesians 3.9-10. So a mystery is not something unknowable and strange, but truth that God has chosen to reveal to the saints.
- The riches of the mystery
What an expression this is. “The riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles.” Amazingly, God brings the wealth and glory of heavenly blessing “among the gentiles.” He does this by making them part of the body of Christ.
- The reality of the mystery
“Christ in you the hope of glory.” In Ephesians, Christ as the head is above, and we are linked with Him where He is. However, in Colossians, Christ is among the gentiles down here, assuring us of the reality of the hope of coming glory. This is the third time Paul refers to the hope in this chapter: “The hope which is laid up for you in heaven” (verse 5), “the hope of the gospel” (verse 23), and “the hope of glory” (verse 27).
Paul’s striving for the saints.
In these closing verses we are confronted with the warnings of Paul, the wisdom of Paul, and the working in Paul.
Warnings and teachings that will be filled out in the remainder of the epistle.
Wisdom in his presentation of truth so as to preserve the saints and present them full grown and mature in Christ.
All this was done according to the mighty working of God in him. In this measure and manner the apostle laboured and contended for the good of the Colossian believers.
Next time: Beware of those with enticing words.