Colossians 1:26 - Printer Friendly

ESV: the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints.

NIV: the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people.

NASB: that is, the mystery which had been hidden from the past ages and generations, but now has been revealed to His saints,

CSB: the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints.

NLT: This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to God’s people.

KJV: Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:

NKJV: the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints.

Paul calls the word of God or the gospel a "mystery," but a mystery which has now been revealed. Paul spoke elsewhere about the gospel as a mystery, stating, "according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages" (Romans 16:25). Before Jesus came to earth, no one knew exactly how God planned to fulfill all of His many prophecies regarding the Jewish Messiah. The prophets who wrote about the future only vaguely understood the message they were given (Ephesians 3:4–5). The complete story was only revealed after Christ came in the flesh.

Even during Christ's ministry, Paul was an unbeliever. Jesus revealed Himself to Paul on the road to Damascus (Acts 9), and "the mystery was made known to [him] by revelation" (Ephesians 3:3). Paul asked the Ephesians to pray "also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel" (Ephesians 6:19)." In Colossians, Paul will again refer to "mystery" in the next verse, as well as Colossians 2:2 and Colossians 4:3.

Colossians 1:24–29 completes this passage with an emphasis on Paul's work as a minister. According to Paul, his suffering is a service he offers for the sake of Christ, on behalf of the other believers. Paul's work for the sake for the church is just that: work. He is striving, fighting, and ''toiling'' on behalf of his faith. All the same, Paul recognizes that anything he accomplishes is only through the power given through Christ.

In chapter 1, Paul introduces himself, along with his co-author Timothy. As he often does, Paul gives thanks for what he hears about the faith of the believers in Colossae. Paul includes a prayer for their growth and spiritual strength. The letter then transitions to praise of Jesus, describing Him as absolutely supreme. All created things were made through, by, and for Him. And, since it was His sacrifice which saved us from sin, we can have confidence in our eternal destiny.

Colossians chapter 1 is mostly focused on describing Christ as supreme. Jesus is not only the God of creation, He is the ultimate authority over all created things. The penalty for sin has been completely removed because of His perfect sacrifice. These are foundational ideas which Paul will use to set up his later points. In chapters 2, 3, and 4, Paul will explain why contrary claims are untrue, and show the right way for Christians to live out what we believe about Jesus.

The book of Colossians describes Christ as superior to all other teachers, faiths, and philosophies. In this letter, written from prison, Paul once again tackles false teachings. Among these errors are claims that Christians need to give up all physical enjoyments, that they should worship angels, and that they need to rely on the wisdom of an elite few. These problems are consistent with an ancient heresy known as Gnosticism. In response, Paul explains that Christ is supreme, and sufficient for our salvation.