What does Colossians 1:25 mean?

Referring to the church, Paul refers to himself as a "minster," using the Greek word diakonos, also meaning a "servant." Paul was a servant of the gospel (Colossians 1:23) and of the church. Both were important parts of his ministry. Paul then shares how he came to be a diakonos of Christ's church. This was something God entrusted to Paul, as a steward. A "steward" is someone charged with care until the master returns for His property. Paul viewed his work as part of God's plan for his life. It was not merely for his own benefit, but in order to serve others. In this particular context, that means the Colossian believers.

From Paul's perspective, his task is to spread knowledge of the word of God as far as possible. Here, though, Paul does not mean the written word of God—the New Testament had not yet been completed. Rather, he is referring to the gospel message, or truth of God, which he had been preaching. This included the writings of the Old Testament (John 10:35) as well as the teachings which Jesus gave to the apostles (Acts 4:31; 6:2, 7).