… which is Christ in you …
Summary: As Paul continues his description of the Gospel, he defines the “glorious riches of this mystery” as Jesus Christ.
Continue reading “Colossians 1:27b – Every Costly Thing”Colossians 1:27a – The Short Straw
To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery …
Summary: Who is “them?” “Them” are the “Lord’s people.” People like you and me.
Continue reading “Colossians 1:27a – The Short Straw”Colossians 1:26 – The Answer
… the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people.
Summary: There are different kinds of mysteries: Some are entertaining and some are troublesome. Real-life mysteries are meant to be solved. For the greatest mystery of all, Jesus is the answer.”.
Continue reading “Colossians 1:26 – The Answer”Colossians 1:25 – Somebody Named Paul
I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness—
Summary: The question of Paul’s authority is addressed in this passage. Paul received a commission from God. Discerning the validity of that commission rests with each believer.
Continue reading “Colossians 1:25 – Somebody Named Paul”Colossians 1:24b – The Everyday Believer
… and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.
Summary: How should we understand this passage? Sometimes, understanding is hiding around the corner and can only be seen out of the corner of our eye.
Continue reading “Colossians 1:24b – The Everyday Believer”Colossians 1:24a – Decoding Paul
Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you…
Summary: Language is a tricky thing. Paul uses the word “I” to describe two different parts of himself.
Continue reading “Colossians 1:24a – Decoding Paul”Colossians 1:23g – Two Kingdoms
… and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
Summary: Paul sees himself as a servant which poses the question, “A servant of what?” As we review what Paul has written so far we find clues that help us understand his thinking.
Continue reading “Colossians 1:23g – Two Kingdoms”Colossians 1:23f – The Eternal Billboard
… and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven,
Summary: God is the master of communication. He leaves nothing to chance. Paul makes an astounding statement about God’s ability to communicate and leaves it to us to ponder how he does it.
Continue reading “Colossians 1:23f – The Eternal Billboard”Colossians 1:23e – A Good Message
This is the gospel that you heard …
Summary: There are many ways to describe the Gospel message. Paul excels at demonstrating how this is done.
Continue reading “Colossians 1:23e – A Good Message”Colossians 1:23d – The Place of Safety
… and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel.
Summary: There are many ways to understand words, but the more words we have, the better we can understand the meaning. God’s Word, the Bible, contains hundreds of thousands of words. The picture they paint is very clear.
Continue reading “Colossians 1:23d – The Place of Safety”