What is the "mystery" mentioned in Colossians 1:26, and why was it hidden? Opening the Passage “the mystery that was hidden for ages and generations, but is now revealed to His saints.” (Colossians 1:26) What Exactly Is the Mystery? • Paul defines it in the very next breath: “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27) • In fuller terms, the mystery is twofold: – Christ Himself indwelling every believer by His Spirit. – The full inclusion of Gentiles—once outsiders—into the same covenant blessings promised to Israel (Ephesians 3:6). Unpacking the Content of the Mystery • Union with Christ – “Christ in you” means the risen Jesus actually lives in His people (Galatians 2:20). • A Single, Multi-ethnic Body – Jew and Gentile are now “fellow heirs, fellow members of the body” (Ephesians 3:6). • A Sure Future – His indwelling guarantees “the hope of glory”—our coming resurrection and shared inheritance with Him (Romans 8:17). Why Was It Hidden for Ages? • God’s Sovereign Timing – “the mystery hidden for ages past, but now revealed” (Romans 16:25-26). – The Father waited until Christ’s death and resurrection secured redemption before unveiling the plan. • Protection of the Redemptive Plan – “None of the rulers of this age understood…for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” (1 Corinthians 2:8) • Progressive Revelation – The prophets “searched and investigated carefully” but were shown they served a future generation (1 Peter 1:10-12). • Foreshadowed, Not Fully Disclosed – Promises to Abraham (“all families of the earth will be blessed,” Genesis 12:3) and Isaiah’s light to the nations (Isaiah 49:6) gave hints, yet the details remained veiled until Christ came. How the Mystery Is Now Revealed • Through the Gospel – God “has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery” (Colossians 1:27). • By the Holy Spirit – “Now revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.” (Ephesians 3:5) • In the Church – Every congregation of diverse believers living in unity puts the once-hidden plan on public display (Ephesians 3:10). What This Means for Us Today • Assurance – Christ’s presence within guarantees our future glory. • Identity – We are one new people, demolishing old barriers of race, class, and background. • Mission – Because God’s heart embraces all nations, so must ours; the gospel remains good news for “all creation” (Colossians 1:23). |
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