Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - Colossians 1:27 - 1:27
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
God was pleased (ēthelēsen ho theos). First aorist active indicative of thelō, to will, to wish. “God willed” this change from hidden mystery to manifestation.
To make known (gnōrisai). First aorist active infinitive of gnōrizō (from ginōskō). Among the Gentiles (en tois ethnesin). This is the crowning wonder to Paul that God had included the Gentiles in his redemptive grace, “the riches of the glory of this mystery” (to ploutos tēs doxēs tou mustēriou toutou) and that Paul himself has been made the minister of this grace among the Gentiles (Eph 3:1-2). He feels the high honour keenly and meets the responsibility humbly.
Which (ho). Grammatical gender (neuter) agreeing with mustēriou (mystery), supported by A B P Vulg., though hos (who) agreeing with Christos in the predicate is read by Aleph C D L. At any rate the idea is simply that the personal aspect of “this mystery” is “Christ in you the hope of glory” (Christos en humin hē elpis tēs doxēs). He is addressing Gentiles, but the idea of en here is in, not among. It is the personal experience and presence of Christ in the individual life of all believers that Paul has in mind, the indwelling Christ in the heart as in Eph 3:17. He constitutes also the hope of glory for he is the Shekinah of God. Christ is our hope now (1Ti 1:1) and the consummation will come (Rom 8:18).