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?
▪︎ I was arrogant, thinking I was right about everything
▪︎ Ego centric, thinking only about me and what was best for me.
▪︎ Fleshly, having a very active thought life that was centered around the flesh.
▪︎ Looking back, I could have died or been derailed in so many different ways but God protected me thru them all.
2. How would you summarize the changes? What is the most important?
▪︎ God protected me from sexual miss-conduct the would have created all kinds of trouble.
▪︎ He brought me back around to honorable interests and endeavors that ultimately lead me to Him.
▪︎ God got me involved with people who were themselves being transformed and were able to lead me on to a deeper relationship with God.
3. How does Col 1:23 relate to eternal security and/or perseverance of the saints? Also consider Heb 12:14.
▪︎ Man is born in sin and enslaved to sin which requires sacrificial atonement to be granted from the start… Jesus provides that propitiation (1John 2:2).
▪︎ All men are given the opportunity to accept this free gift and head toward eternal life (Rom 6:23; Eph 2:8-9)… Only God can see into each man’s heart and know the status of each man’s decision about whether or not to accept Jesus’ payment for their debt of sin (Jer 17:9-10; Deut_31:21
▪︎ No man knows what is in the heart of another man… this is the unknown that only be determined by the individual himself; thus the need for the “if” statement. If you accept the payment, you will be saved. If you accept the payment (believe), you can know for sure you will go to heaven (1John 5:11-12, 13)
▪︎ Continue in the faith – Heb 3:6, 14; Heb 4:14; 2Peter 1:9-10;
▪︎ Other related references – Bear Fruit in Keeping with Repentance
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)?
▪︎ There is not a whole lot of difference… both require commitment, devotion, both take time, goals are the same, life doesn’t stop.
▪︎ Commitment like an army soldier – 2Tim 2:4; Matt 6:24;
▪︎ Follow the rules – 2Tim 2:5;
▪︎ Work hard – 2Tim 2:6, 9, 10;
▪︎ Put in the time – 2Tim 2:15;
▪︎ Earn your living as best you can – 1Tim 5:18; Matt 6:33;
▪︎ Called to the same ministry – Rom 16:25; 2Cor 5:18;
▪︎ Supplied with the same resources, the Holy Spirit – Col 1:28-29;
5. How would Paul describe the cost/benefit analysis for him being a minister of the gospel? List the costs and the benefits.
▪︎ Men’s souls are extremely valuable – Ps 49:8;
▪︎ Costs include – Luke_9:23-26
Luke_14:25-33
▪︎ Cost is small, if not minimal as you consider the critical nature of the job… people’s eternal lives are at stake.
▪︎ 1Peter 2:4-9
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?
▪︎ Good stewardship shows obedience to God’s commands which honors God as sovereign king of the universe.
▪︎ Disobedience is rebellion against God and can certainly restrict His provision in the future.
▪︎ We love God and want to please Him in every respect.
▪︎ God does hold all the resources and gives them out as He pleases. If we want to be a part of His plan we need to be good, trustworthy stewards (1Cor 4:1-2)
7. What is the mystery Paul speaks of in Col 1:26-27?
▪︎ Christ in us, the hope of glory. The hope revealed in the incarnation, God with us, Matt 1:22-23;
▪︎ Not just hope in the future but also God, Himself living powerfully in and thru us at the present time (John 14:16).
▪︎ The real hope is the length of time He will be with us… forever. The Holy Spirit is given as promised (John 14:26), a pledge of His presence (Eph 1:13), and power (John 14:12).
▪︎ This promise is given as a free gift (Eph 2:8-9) to any/all who believe (ratified and thus legally binding covenant, Gal 3:15, 17)… to any and all who believe, male/female, Jew/Gentile, young/old, all who believe (John 3:16-17, 14:6; Gal 3:28-29; Rom 1:16-17,11:25;).
▪︎ Faith’s role in salvation and sanctification is critical to bringing together the entire body of Christ, from the first Jewish believer to the final Gentile convert… complete in the body of Christ – Heb 11:39-40;
See also: Eph 2:13-22; 3:1-7; 1Tim 3:16; Rom 11:25, 16:25, 26-27; Isa 49:6;
8. How does Paul plan to accomplish his ministry goals? See Col 1:28-29.
▪︎ Paul served God in the Spirit (Rom 1:9-10), just as Jesus walked in the Spirit (John 5:19), thus eliminating all fleshly boasting… “doing nothing of himself”.
▪︎ Nevertheless, he did labor with all His might, drawing upon the power of the Holy Spirit by faith (Rom 1:17; 2Cor 5:7).
▪︎ Paul preached and taught every where he went, in person, by letter, in prison, bringing each person to full maturity (2Tim 2:2, 2Tim 4:2).
▪︎ Paul was continually striving, laboring for God… How? Not according to his own power, but according to the power of God, the power as it comes from the working of the Holy Spirit, in Paul and in the world around him.
▪︎ Thus the ministry is not limited in any way by human ability, but is fully funded, enabled by the resources provided by God.
▪︎ Suffering shared with Christ to bring others to His redemption and in His sanctification. Rom 8:17; 2Cor 1:5,12:15; Col 1:24;