Colossians 1:24-2:5
Q.1. What mystery has been revealed since Christ came? To whom does God want His blessing to extend? – (Col.1:24-29)
Throughout the Old Testament, God sought to underscore the impossibility of achieving righteousness by self-effort. This was paving the way for the coming of the Saviour. The teaching of Jesus (as in the Sermon on the Mount) made the notion of gaining salvation by works even more impossible. The Gospel reveals that Christ became our substitute and sin-bearer, and that through faith in Him, righteousness is achievable. That Good News has always been resisted. Consequently, the prophets, then Christ, and now believers, suffer persecution. It was in that context, that Paul declared that he was sharing in Christ’s afflictions, because such persecution was going to continue. (Col.1:24 c.f. Mt.23:29-36; Jn.15:18-21). We are still called to preach the Gospel, and in doing this, we too may suffer opposition (Col.1:25). The Mystery of the Gospel had been hidden – but has now been made manifested to His saints (Col.1:26). God dwelt with His people, but now it is ‘Christ IN YOU the hope of glory’. No longer is the focus on our performance, but on that of Christ (Col.1:27). Nevertheless, Christ needs to saturate us, as Paul urged – We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ (Col.1:28). Paul’s mission was to spread the Gospel, and help believers find completeness in Christ (Col.1:29).Â
Q.2. How did Paul’s focus change in his ministry to others once he embraced the Gospel? – (Col.2:1-5)
There is no doubt that Paul did all in his power to bring people to salvation, while at times enduring many personal struggles (Col.2:1). However, he wanted his converts to realize that salvation was not the end, but rather the beginning of a journey, so that – … their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is Christ Himself (Col.2:2). Our wealth is found in Christ – in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col.2:3). No one will successfully waylay those who are indwelt by Christ, and saturated by His Word (Col.2:4-5).