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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Col_1:24 to Col_2:5
24Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions. 25Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, 26that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, 27to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. 29For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me. Col_2:1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, 2that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God's mystery, that is, Christ Himself, 3in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument. For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ.
Col_1:24 "I rejoice in my sufferings for you" Paul saw his imprisonment as benefitting the church (cf. Php_2:17 and 2Co_1:5). Paul saw his life as an offering to God on behalf of the church. This is part of the Good News we don't like (cf. Mat_5:10-12; Rom_5:3; Rom_8:17; 2Co_4:7-11; 2Co_6:3-10; Php_1:29; Php_2:17; 2Ti_3:12; Heb_5:8; 1Pe_1:7-8; 1Pe_4:12-16)! As Jesus suffered on behalf of others, so must His followers (cf. 2Co_5:14-15; Gal_2:20; 1Jn_3:16). Only the Spirit can turn persecution into joy!
▣ "in my flesh" See Special Topic at Col_1:22.
▣ "in filling up that which is lacking in Christ's afflictions" This emphatic double compound verb (anti, ana, plçroô) is found only here in the NT. The prepositions strongly affirm "on behalf of" or "and to fill completely." This is a very difficult sentence to interpret. Some theories about the meaning of this verse are:
1. Christ's atonement was not sufficient without the church, i.e., Roman Catholicism's merits of the saints
2. believers, as the church, share Christ's sufferings, (not vicariously), but by doing the Father's will in a fallen world (cf. Mat_5:10-12; Mar_10:39; Joh_16:1 ff; 2Co_4:10; Gal_2:20; Php_3:10)
3. Christ suffers with believers (cf. Act_9:4-5; 2Co_1:5; Isa_63:9)
4. suffering is needed for maturity (cf. Heb_5:8)
5. we must fulfill the "birth pains" for the new age (cf. Mar_13:8)
6. Paul was refuting a Gnostic catch phrase
This term for "suffering" was never used in the NT for Christ's death on the cross. The context of Col_1:13-18 totally rules out #1! I like #5 best!
▣ "the church" Ekklesia was from two Greek words, "out of" and "to call." It is used in Koine Greek to describe any kind of assembly, such as a town meeting (cf. Act_19:32). The Church chose this term because it was used in the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Pentateuch, written as early as 250 b.c. for the library at Alexandria, Egypt). This term translated the Hebrew term qahal which was used in the phrase "the assembly of Israel" (cf. Num_20:4). The NT writers asserted that they were the "divinely called out ones" who were to be the People of God in their day. They saw no radical break between the OT People of God and themselves, the NT People of God. Believers must assert that the Church of Jesus Christ, not modern rabbinical Judaism, is the true heir of the OT Scriptures.
In Ephesians, a circular letter, the term "church" always has a universal meaning, but in Colossians it has a local meaning. The church is both corporate, referring to all of the people of God, and individual, referring to a local congregation of believers. In this text Paul is obviously referring to the universal aspect of the church. See Special Topic: Church at Col_1:18.
Col_1:25 "I was made a minister" Paul is referring to his Apostolic call to preach to the Gentiles (cf. Act_9:15; Act_22:21; Act_26:17; Rom_1:5; Rom_11:13; Rom_15:16; Gal_1:16; Gal_2:7; Eph_3:1-2; Eph_3:8; 1Ti_2:7; 2Ti_4:17). However, Paul viewed his calling and giftedness as a servant, a slave, a steward! In the Bible leadership is servanthood.
▣ "according to the stewardship from God" Believers are all stewards or trustees of the gospel (cf. 1Co_4:1-5; Eph_3:2; Eph_3:9; Tit_1:7; 1Pe_4:10). Paul uses this term in several different senses.
1. an Apostolic commission to proclaim the gospel (cf. 1Co_9:17; Eph_3:2; Col_1:25)
2. an eternal plan of redemption (cf. Eph_1:10; Eph_3:9; 1Co_4:1)
3. training in the plan of redemption and its accompanying lifestyle (cf. 1Ti_1:4)
NASB "that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God"
NKJV "to fulfill the word of God"
NRSV "to make the word of God fully known"
TEV "fully proclaiming his message"
NJB "that of completing God's message"
This is the same root term "to fill" (plçroô) used in Col_1:24. Paul's imprisonment and preaching were accomplishing God's purpose for the Gentiles (cf. Act_9:15-16; Act_22:21; Act_26:17; Rom_11:13; Rom_15:16; Gal_1:16; Gal_2:7; Eph_3:2; Eph_3:8; 1Ti_2:7; 2Ti_4:17).
Col_1:26 "the mystery" See Special Topic at Eph_3:3.
▣ "which has been hidden from the past ages and generations" This is a perfect passive participle, it had been and continued to be hidden by God (implication) in the past. This mystery was kept secret from (1) the Gentiles, (2) the Jews, and (3) even the angels (cf. 1Pe_1:12). The prophets had glimpses of it, but never the full truth (cf. Heb_1:1). The phrase "ages and generations" was used by the Gnostics to refer to the angelic levels (aeons).
▣ "but has now been manifested to His saints" This is an aorist passive indicative of a verb that means "to clearly reveal" or "bring to light" (cf. Col_1:27; Rom_3:21; Rom_16:26). That which was hidden has now been fully revealed. The gospel is clear and open to all, not just a select few! See Special Topic: Saints at Col_1:2.
▣ "the riches of the glory" Paul often uses the term "riches" to describe the benefits of the gospel (cf. Col_1:27; Col_2:2; Eph_1:7; Eph_1:18; Eph_2:7; Eph_3:8; Eph_3:16; Php_4:19).
▣ "Christ in you" It is grammatically possible that this could be translated "Christ among you," which would refer to the mystery of the gospel and not the indwelling Christ. The same Greek preposition, en, is translated "among" in the preceding phrase, "among the Gentiles." This seems to fit the context best.
There is a fluidity between the work of the Son and the Spirit. G. Campbell Morgan said the best name for the Spirit is "the other Jesus." The following is an outline comparison of the work and titles of the Son and Spirit.
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Col_1:27 "the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles" Paul has used "riches" several times to describe God's gracious acts and provision for fallen man (cf. Col_1:27; Col_2:2; Rom_2:4; Rom_9:23; Rom_11:33; 2Co_8:2; Eph_1:7; Eph_1:18; Eph_2:7; Eph_3:16).
God has always had a plan to unite Jews and Gentiles in salvation (cf. Eph_2:11 to Eph_3:13). The beginnings of this plan of redemption can be seen in
1. God's promise in Gen_3:15, which applies to all the children of Adam
2. God's call to Abraham which would bless all people (cf. Gen_12:3)
3. God's calling a kingdom of priests to reach the world (cf. Exo_19:5)
4. even Solomon's temple had implications for the Gentiles to repent and believe and be a part (cf. 1Ki_8:43; 1Ki_8:60)
5. the numerous references in the prophets (especially Isaiah) to God's universal reign and invitation to all mankind
▣ "the hope of glory" This refers to Resurrection Day when the saints will receive their new glorified bodies (cf. 1Jn_3:2). Election, justification, and sanctification will result in glorification (cf. Rom_8:29-30). See fuller note on "glory" at Eph_1:6.
Col_1:28 "We proclaim Him" Christianity is not primarily correct theology, ethical standards, or religious ritual, but a personal relationship with Jesus. Once this is established, the other aspects have their appropriate place (cf. 2Ti_3:15-17).
▣ "admonishing" This word is used of "child training" in the Septuagint (cf. Job_5:17). In the NT it is used of believers exhorting each other (cf. Act_20:31; Rom_15:14). It often carried a negative connotation of warning about inappropriate Christian behavior (cf. 1Th_5:14; 2Th_3:15).
▣ "every man" This phrase is used three times in this verse for emphasis. This inclusiveness is so different from the exclusiveness of the false teachers. The gospel is for all humanity (cf. Joh_3:16; 1Ti_2:4; 2Pe_3:9).
▣ "with all wisdom" God's wisdom is so different from the exclusivism and secrecy of the false teachers' so-called knowledge.
▣ "that we may present every man" God's goal for the church is that every believer be mature in Christ (cf. Col_4:12; Eph_4:13; 1Co_2:6; 1Co_14:20; Php_3:15). There are no special groups, ranks, gifts, knowledge, or privileges in Christ's body, just servants!
NASB "complete"
NKJV, NJB "perfect"
NRSV, TEV "mature"
This is the Greek term telos (also commonly used in Gnostic literature of the second century), which meant "fully equipped for an assigned task" (cf. Eph_4:12). It was used of
1. broken limbs being healed and becoming useful again
2. fishing nets being mended and thereby being able to catch fish
3. ships being fitted with ropes and sails for the sea
4. chickens that had grown large enough to be taken to market. It does not imply sinlessness, but functional maturity
Col_1:29 "I labor, striving" These same two strong Greek terms are used together in 1Ti_4:10 to describe Paul's ministry.
▣ "struggling" This is a Present middle (deponent) participle. This is either an athletic term (cf. 1Co_9:25; 1Ti_6:12; 2Ti_4:7) or a military term (cf. Col_2:1; Joh_18:36). We get the English term "agony" from this Greek root. Church work is not easy!
▣ "His power, which mightily works within me" This is a present middle participle. It is God's power, not the believer's, that "energizes" all ministry (cf. 1 Corinthians 2; Eph_1:19; Eph_3:7; Eph_3:20; Php_3:21; 1Ti_1:12) This noun and participle are from the same Greek root which means, "His energy energizes me."
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