Colossians 1:27
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)
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The "mystery" isn't a secret ritual, but the radical, glorious truth that God's presence, symbolized by "Christ in you," is now available to Gentiles, offering them the ultimate "hope of glory." This wasn't just about inclusion; it was about God's immeasurable richness being poured out beyond Jewish boundaries, a profound and life-changing revelation previously hidden.
Paul is explaining that God's divine plan involved revealing a profound "mystery" to the Gentiles, a truth previously hidden but now made known through his ministry. This divine revelation wasn't random; it was God's deliberate choice to unfold the immense riches and glory of this truth, centered on Christ's presence within believers, which serves as their assurance of future glory.
Why did God choose to reveal this incredible truth to some and not others? It wasn't based on merit, but on His own good pleasure.
The verse highlights that God 'chose to make known' this mystery. This isn't about human effort or qualification, but about God's deliberate and sovereign decision.
Divine Initiative
This understanding combats any tendency to pride ourselves on our spiritual understanding, reminding us that all revelation and understanding come from God's gracious initiative.
What is this 'mystery' that was hidden for ages and is now so gloriously revealed? It's not a complex ritual, but a profound reality.
The core of the 'mystery' revealed in this verse is the astonishing truth of 'Christ in you'. This was a radical concept for the early church, especially for Jewish believers.
The Unfolding Revelation
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 highlights a major shift in God's plan: the incredible 'mystery' revealed is that salvation and the 'hope of glory' are now fully accessible to Gentiles through Christ, a revolutionary concept for the time that challenged deeply ingrained cultural and religious boundaries.
c. 40s AD— this verse
Paul's Ministry to Gentiles
The Apostle Paul actively preaches the gospel to non-Jewish people, challenging traditional Jewish exclusivity.
c. 40s-50s AD
Council of Jerusalem
A pivotal meeting where early Christian leaders debate and decide that Gentiles do not need to follow all Jewish laws to become Christians.
c. 50s AD
Paul's Letters Circulate
Paul's epistles, including those to the churches in Asia Minor like Colossae, begin to be written and shared among believers.
c. 60s AD
Paul's Imprisonment
Paul writes Colossians while imprisoned, likely in Rome, continuing to guide and encourage the churches despite his circumstances.
This passage parallels the idea of God's sovereign choice in revealing His mystery to the Gentiles, emphasizing His mercy extended to them.
Ephesians 3:8-9Paul directly calls the gospel a 'mystery' that was hidden but is now revealed, aligning with Colossians 1:27's concept of a 'mystery' being made known.
Galatians 2:20This verse powerfully expresses the concept of 'Christ in you' by stating 'it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me,' highlighting the indwelling nature of Christ.
1 Timothy 1:1Paul refers to Christ Jesus as 'our hope,' directly connecting Christ to the 'hope of glory' mentioned in Colossians 1:27.
2 Corinthians 4:17This verse speaks of a 'light and momentary' affliction leading to 'an eternal weight of glory,' echoing the 'hope of glory' and the transformative power of God's work.
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…
The "mystery" isn't a secret ritual, but the radical, glorious truth that God's presence, symbolized by "Christ in you," is now available to Gentiles, offering them the ultimate "hope of glory." This wasn't just about inclusion; it was about God's immeasurable richness being poured out beyond Jewish boundaries, a profound and life-changing revelation previously hidden.
Paul is explaining that God's divine plan involved revealing a profound "mystery" to the Gentiles, a truth previously hidden but now made known through his ministry. This divine revelation wasn't random; it was God's deliberate choice to unfold the immense riches and glory of this truth, centered on Christ's presence within believers, which serves as their assurance of future glory.
Paul is explaining that God's divine plan involved revealing a profound "mystery" to the Gentiles, a truth previously hidden but now made known through his ministry. This divine revelation wasn't random; it was God's deliberate choice to unfold the immense riches and glory of this truth, centered on Christ's presence within believers, which serves as their assurance of future glory.
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What does it mean to have 'the hope of glory'? It's more than just a wish; it's a confident expectation grounded in Christ's presence.
The presence of Christ within the believer ('Christ in you') is not merely for present benefit but is the very foundation of our 'hope of glory'.
Future Certainty
This concept links our present reality with our eternal destiny, showing that Christ's presence is the ultimate security for our future with God.
"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." — The "mystery" isn't a secret ritual, but the radical, glorious truth that God's presence, symbolized by "Christ in you," is now available to Gentiles, offering them the ultimate "hope of glory." This…
