Colossians 1:27
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This verse highlights that the "mystery" isn't just a hidden truth, but the very person of Christ dwelling within believers, especially Gentiles. This indwelling Christ is the "hope of glory," meaning He is the source and guarantee of the future glory that believers anticipate.
To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is explaining the core of his ministry: making known the incredible reality that the mystery of God's salvation is now available to Gentiles, not just Jews. He emphasizes that this profound truth, previously hidden, is now revealed in the person of Christ dwelling within believers, assuring them of future glory. This revelation, Paul insists, is a divine choice, intended to showcase God's abundant grace.
Ever wondered why you heard the gospel, why God chose to reveal His truth to you? This verse points to a divine decision that goes beyond human merit.
Paul highlights that God 'willed' or 'was pleased' (ἠθέλησεν) to make this mystery known. This wasn't because of anything inherent in the Gentiles, or even in the apostles themselves. It was a deliberate choice, an act of sovereign grace. God desired to reveal His glorious riches to people who, prior to this, were outside the covenant. This emphasizes that salvation and understanding are gifts, not earned achievements.
The 'mystery' revealed isn't some hidden code or a secret ritual, but something far more profound and personal. What is this core revelation?
The heart of the mystery, especially for the Gentiles, is 'Christ in you.' This signifies more than just knowing about Christ; it's about Christ's active, indwelling presence through the Holy Spirit in believers' lives. This presence transforms them from the inside out, making them 'partakers of the divine nature.' It's the tangible reality of God dwelling within His people, bridging the gap between the Creator and the created.
We often think of 'glory' as a distant, future reward. But this verse connects it directly to our present reality. How does 'Christ in you' secure our future hope?
The presence of Christ within is not just for our present transformation; it is 'the hope of glory.' This means that the indwelling Christ is the very foundation and guarantee of our future, eternal glory. It's not a hope based on our own efforts or potential, but on the person of Christ Himself, who is already living in us. This present possession of Christ assures us of the future possession of His glory, a glory that is currently unseen but is certain because our hope is anchored in Him.
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Understand the original words
ethnos · Greek Noun
A general term for non-Jewish people. In the New Testament, it signifies the inclusion of the nations into the covenant promises of God, breaking down the barrier between Jew and Gentile.
ploutos · Greek Noun
A term used to describe the overwhelming, abundant, and inexhaustible nature of God's blessings, grace, and spiritual attributes provided to believers.
doxa · Greek Noun
The manifestation of God's presence, majesty, and inherent worth. It refers to the radiance of His character and the visible expression of His divine nature.
elpis · Greek Noun
The confident expectation of future blessing based on the promises of God. It is not mere wishful thinking, but a firm assurance anchored in the reality of Christ's resurrection.
This verse speaks to the radical inclusivity of the Gospel, a revolutionary concept in the 1st century where Gentiles were considered outsiders. Paul's imprisonment highlights the intensity of the struggle to establish this 'mystery' of God's grace.
c. 200 BC - c. AD 100
Greco-Roman Period
The Roman Empire controls the Mediterranean world, including Greece and Asia Minor. Greek is the common language, facilitating the spread of ideas and the Gospel.
c. AD 40-50
Paul's Missionary Journeys
Paul travels extensively through Asia Minor and Greece, establishing churches and spreading the Gospel to Gentiles.
c. AD 55-60— this verse
Paul's Imprisonment
Paul writes Colossians from prison, likely in Rome or Caesarea, reflecting on the core of the Gospel he preached.
c. AD 64
Great Fire of Rome
Nero's persecution of Christians intensifies after the fire, leading to increased suffering for believers throughout the empire.
c. AD 70
Destruction of Jerusalem
The Roman army destroys Jerusalem and the Second Temple, a pivotal event marking the separation between Judaism and nascent Christianity.
This passage highlights God's abundant riches available to all who call on Him, echoing the 'riches of the glory' mentioned in Colossians 1:27, emphasizing inclusivity beyond ethnic lines.
Ephesians 3:16-17It speaks of God granting believers strength through His Spirit and Christ dwelling in their hearts through faith, directly paralleling the concept of 'Christ in you' as the core of this mystery.
Galatians 2:20This verse expresses a deep personal union with Christ, stating 'it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me,' which powerfully illustrates the indwelling Christ described in Colossians 1:27.
1 Timothy 1:1It identifies Jesus Christ as the 'hope' of believers, aligning perfectly with 'Christ in you, the hope of glory,' showing Christ as the central figure of future glory.
Romans 8:18This passage contrasts present sufferings with future glory that will be revealed, underscoring the 'hope of glory' that comes through Christ, who is revealed within believers.
vincentColossians 1:27: "To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:"
Would make known (ἠθέλησεν γνωρίσαι)Lit., willed to make known. Rev., was pleased. Hence the apostles who were called to make known the Gospel were such by the will of God (Colossians 1:1).RichesSee on Romans 2:4.Of the glory of this mystery among the GentilesThe mystery of the admission of the Gentiles to the gospel covenant, now reve…
barnesColossians 1:27: "To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:"
To whom - To the saints. God would make known - "Willed (Greek) to make known;" that is, he was pleased to make this known. It was concealed in his bosom until he chose to reveal it to his apostles. It was a doctrine which the Jewish people did not understand; Ephesians 3:5-6. What is the riches of the glory of this mystery - The rich glo…
This verse highlights that the "mystery" isn't just a hidden truth, but the very person of Christ dwelling within believers, especially Gentiles. This indwelling Christ is the "hope of glory," meaning He is the source and guarantee of the future glory that believers anticipate.
Paul is explaining the core of his ministry: making known the incredible reality that the mystery of God's salvation is now available to Gentiles, not just Jews. He emphasizes that this profound truth, previously hidden, is now revealed in the person of Christ dwelling within believers, assuring them of future glory. This revelation, Paul insists, is a divine choice, intended to showcase God's abundant grace.
Paul is explaining the core of his ministry: making known the incredible reality that the mystery of God's salvation is now available to Gentiles, not just Jews. He emphasizes that this profound truth, previously hidden, is now revealed in the person of Christ dwelling within believers, assuring them of future glory. This revelation, Paul insists, is a divine choice, intended to showcase God's abundant grace.
"To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." — This verse highlights that the "mystery" isn't just a hidden truth, but the very person of Christ dwelling within believers, especially Gentiles. This indwelling Christ is the "hope of glory," meanin…
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Last reviewed October 2026
