Colossians 1:25
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Paul emphasizes that his specific role as an apostle was a divine "stewardship"—an administrative task given to him with the Gentiles directly in mind. This wasn't just about spreading God's message, but about "filling up" or bringing to completion God's Word by making it fully known to those outside the Jewish community.
of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is explaining his apostleship, particularly his role in bringing the gospel to the Gentiles. He describes his sufferings for the church in the previous verse, and here he clarifies that his ministry, appointed by God, is specifically for them, aiming to fully proclaim God's message. This emphasis on his God-given role and its purpose towards the Gentile believers is key to understanding his authority and the importance of the message he preaches.
Paul calls himself a minister, but not just any servant. He's operating under a specific 'stewardship' from God. What does that mean for his ministry and for ours?
The word 'stewardship' (oikonomia in Greek) literally means 'household management.' Think of a master entrusting a trusted manager with his entire estate. Paul saw his apostleship not as a personal achievement, but as a divine appointment, a sacred trust from God.
God's Arrangement
This stewardship was God's arrangement – His divine plan for how His message would reach the world. Paul understood that this wasn't his idea; it was a commission given to him for a specific purpose.
For Your Sake
Crucially, this stewardship was 'for you' (eis hymas). The commentators highlight that this means the Gentiles, the recipients of this specific ministry. God's plan for Paul had the Colossians and all Gentile believers as its direct object.
Paul's ultimate aim was clear: to 'make the word of God fully known.' What does it mean to 'fully know' God's word in our lives and in our witness?
The phrase 'to make the word of God fully known' (plērosai ton logon tou Theou) signifies more than just casual sharing. It implies a comprehensive and complete proclamation.
Completing the Message
This wasn't about adding to God's word or changing its content. Instead, it was about bringing the divine message to its intended fullness, especially in its reach. For Paul, this meant ensuring the gospel was fully preached to the Gentiles, fulfilling God's universal plan.
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Radical Obedience
It speaks to a passionate commitment to see God's truth understood and embraced. Paul's entire ministry was driven by this desire to complete the task God had given him, ensuring the 'word of God' had its full intended impact.
Understand the original words
oikonomian · Greek Noun
A position of responsibility or administration over something belonging to another. In a spiritual sense, it is a divine commission to manage the mysteries or truths of God for the benefit of others.
Paul's ministry to the Gentiles, a key theme in Colossians 1:25, was a divinely appointed stewardship ('oikonomia') to 'fully preach' or 'complete' the word of God by extending salvation's reach to those outside of Israel, a mission that unfolded over decades of missionary journeys and theological labor, even from prison.
c. AD 30-33
Paul's Conversion and Early Ministry
Following his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus, Saul of Tarsus (now Paul) began his ministry, initially focused on Jewish communities but soon receiving a divine commission to preach the gospel to the Gentiles.
c. AD 46-49
Paul's First Missionary Journey
Paul, along with Barnabas, embarked on his first extensive mission, traveling through Asia Minor and establishing churches among Gentile populations, demonstrating the spread of the gospel beyond its Jewish origins.
c. AD 50-52
Second Missionary Journey and Corinthian Correspondence
Paul's second journey further expanded his outreach, leading to the founding of the church in Corinth. During this period, he wrote 1 Corinthians and likely 2 Corinthians, addressing significant theological and practical issues within these Gentile communities.
c. AD 53-56
Third Missionary Journey and Epistle to the Romans
Paul's third journey included an extended stay in Ephesus. It was likely during the preparation for this journey, or during his extended stay in Corinth or Rome, that he wrote the Epistle to the Romans, systematically explaining the gospel for Gentiles.
c. AD 60-62— this verse
Paul's Imprisonment and Epistles to the Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians
While imprisoned, likely in Rome, Paul penned several epistles, including Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians. These letters addressed the theological understanding and practical living of churches he had founded or was deeply concerned about, particularly regarding the nature of Christ and the church.
This passage discusses Paul's stewardship and calling, mirroring the 'dispensation' or stewardship mentioned in Colossians 1:25, highlighting his appointed task from God.
Ephesians 3:2Paul explicitly mentions his stewardship given to him for the Gentiles, directly paralleling the 'dispensation from God that was given to me for you' in Colossians 1:25 and emphasizing his role in revealing God's plan.
Romans 15:19This verse describes Paul 'fully preaching' the gospel from Jerusalem to Illyricum, which strongly connects to the idea of 'making the word of God fully known' as stated in Colossians 1:25, emphasizing the comprehensive scope of his ministry.
Titus 1:3Paul refers to the 'manifestation of our Savior Christ Jesus' and his own appointment to proclaim it, echoing the theme of making God's word known through his ministry as a divinely appointed steward.
barnesColossians 1:25: "Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;"
According to the dispensation of God - The arrangement which God has made. That is, he designed that the gospel should be preached to the Gentiles, and, in accordance with that arrangement, he has called me to be a minister. Notes, Ephesians 3:2 . To fulfil the word of God - Margin, "fully to preach." The Greek is, "to fill up the word of God;" the meani…
vincentColossians 1:25: "Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;"
The dispensation (οἰκονομίαν)From οἶκος house and νέμω to dispense or manage. Hence οἰκονόμος a house-steward. Here the meaning is stewardship - the office of a steward or administrator in God's house. See on 1 Corinthians 9:17, and compare Luke 16:2-4; 1 Corinthians 4:1; Titus 1:7; 1 Peter 4:10. In Ephesians 3:2, the word is used of the divine ar…
Paul emphasizes that his specific role as an apostle was a divine "stewardship"—an administrative task given to him with the Gentiles directly in mind. This wasn't just about spreading God's message, but about "filling up" or bringing to completion God's Word by making it fully known to those outside the Jewish community.
Paul is explaining his apostleship, particularly his role in bringing the gospel to the Gentiles. He describes his sufferings for the church in the previous verse, and here he clarifies that his ministry, appointed by God, is specifically for them, aiming to fully proclaim God's message. This emphasis on his God-given role and its purpose towards the Gentile believers is key to understanding his authority and the importance of the message he preaches.
Paul is explaining his apostleship, particularly his role in bringing the gospel to the Gentiles. He describes his sufferings for the church in the previous verse, and here he clarifies that his ministry, appointed by God, is specifically for them, aiming to fully proclaim God's message. This emphasis on his God-given role and its purpose towards the Gentile believers is key to understanding his authority and the importance of the message he preaches.
"of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known," — Paul emphasizes that his specific role as an apostle was a divine "stewardship"—an administrative task given to him with the Gentiles directly in mind. This wasn't just about spreading God's message,…
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Last reviewed October 2026
