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.
Interesting Words
formerly
(ποτε – Greek) – pote ► indefinite adverb, at some time, ever, once, i. e. at some time or other, formerly, aforetime – Gal 1:13; Eph 2:2-3, 13, 5:8; Titus 3:3; 1Peter 2:10;
reconciled
(ἀποκαταλλάσσω – Greek) – apokatallassó ► verb, to reconcile fully, from apo and katallasso; to reconcile completely – Eph 2:16; Col 1:20;
holy
(ἅγιος – Greek) – hagios ► noun – (from adjective holy) sacred, physically, pure, morally blameless, ceremonially, consecrated – Rom 6:22; 1Cor 1:30; 1Peter 1:2-3;
stewardship
(οἰκονομία – Greek) – oikonomia ► administration (of a household or estate); specially, a (religious) “economy”, dispensation, stewardship – Luke 16:1-2, 3-4; Eph 1:10; 1Tim 1:4;
mystery
(μυστήριον – Greek) – mustérion ► noun – a secret or “mystery”, from a derivative of muo (to shut the mouth); a secret or “mystery” (through the idea of silence imposed by initiation into religious rites), mystery – Matt 13:10-11; Rom 16:25; 1Cor 2:7-8; Eph 1:9;
striving
(ἀγωνίζομαι – Greek) – agónizomai ► verb – strive, competes in the games, fight, fighting, fought, laboring earnestly – 1Cor 9:25; Col 4:12; 1Tim 4:10;
Cross References
▪︎ Holiness is required to see God – Heb 12:14;
▪︎ Good stewards – 1Cor 4:1-2;
Discussion Questions
1. Consider God’s transformation of your own life by taking a few minutes to look back at your life before Christ… What was it like?
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2. How would you summarize the changes? What is the most important?
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3. How does Col 1:23 relate to eternal security and/or perseverance of the saints? Also consider Heb 12:14.
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4. Paul was made a minister of the gospel by God. How is this different than Jesus calling all believers to make disciples (Matt 28:19-20)?
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5. How would Paul describe the cost/benefit analysis for him being a minister of the gospel? List the costs and the benefits.
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6. Why is stewardship so important? Doesn’t God own the cattle on a thousand hills? Isn’t He powerful enough to overcome any issue?
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7. What is the mystery Paul speaks of in Col 1:26-27?
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8. How does Paul plan to accomplish his ministry goals? See Col 1:28-29.
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