Daily Bible Reading 18th June 2025 // Colossians 1:24-2:5
24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 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, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 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. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.
2 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. 5 For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.
Paul not only affirms the authentic pattern and focus of apostolic ministry, he summarises the content of authentic preaching. There is all the difference in the world between 'fine-sounding arguments which deceive' (2:4) and the preaching of the truth. To preach the word of God in all its fullness, Paul asserts, is to preach Christ: 'We proclaim him (Christ)...' (v 28). It is to manifest and make known 'the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge' (2:2). 'The mystery of Christ' (1:26-27) is Paul's shorthand for the Gospel and it is now an open secret (cf 1 Corinthians 2:1-16 and Ephesians 3:2-12). In 1:27, Paul identifies a number of features of this 'mystery' as he delights in its glory and greatness.
First, the apostle tells us that this mystery is magnificent in every way. It is an inestimable treasure, characterised by riches and glory. It is the pearl of greatest price which is worth possessing at any cost. This mystery, Paul affirms, encompasses all the riches and the glory of God Himself. In it, in Christ, as he says in 2:3, are 'hidden all the treasures of (God's) wisdom and knowledge'. In this sublime mystery, who is Christ, we have the vast treasury of God. It is, if you like, God's 'Fort Knox'. He has deposited in it the abundance of His grace and glory and, in Christ, he has opened to us the door of his treasure house. Here, He says, it is all yours and He lavishes upon us, poor and poverty stricken as we are, every conceivable blessing and benediction.