24 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, 26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. 27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. 29 To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.
Commentary
Vs. 24 The Apostle Paul having introduced himself to the brethren at Colosse, having declared to them both his love as well as his concern for them all. Then went onto systemically expound not only the Preeminence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as the Head of the Body, but also the completeness of His sacrificial crucifixion death and shed blood on our behalf. Paul then having addressed these things now basically says of his own sufferings for the Lord and the Gospel that because he knows the Lord is working through them, bringing him as a Gospel minister to them, And not only them, but also every believer everywhere, that he rejoices in them. Rest assured then if any believer suffers for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake their suffering will not only be rewarded by Him on the last day, but it will also be used by Him in some meaningful way down here.
Vs. 25-27 The Apostle Paul then wasn't some self-appointed apostle or Gospel minister (vs. 25). Paul was chosen by the Risen Christ specifically for this high and holy purpose (Acts 9:1-19; 26:1-18). That he might not only be a minister of the mystery of God hidden from previous ages and generations, but that he might also have the privilege and honor to suffer for it. A mystery that is now being revealed to God's saints (vs. 26), that is all those who believe in Jesus Christ are not only saints of God but will have the fullness of God within themselves, which Jesus Christ's Person. In previous generations the prophets only knew that the Christ would come as a Man and suffer crucifixion death for our sins and transgressions before He would set up His Kingly throne and reign. They did not know that His Person would be, and His reign would begin, inside each and everyone who calls upon His Name (vs. 27).
Vs. 28-29 Therefore the Apostle Paul says it is Jesus Christ, Savior of sinners and Lord of all that He preaches. Not a doctrine or a dogma, not angels and spirits, not some spiritual gifting or gift. But the Lord Jesus Christ crucified and Risen from the dead who is Lord, Savior, and Judge of all men (Acts 10:42; 17:31; 1 Tim 4:10 etc.). And so Him we preach warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus (vs. 28). Therefore the Apostle Paul says: "To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily." vs. 29 And so Paul like every true Gospel minister labors in this, and for this very purpose, to present the Gospel to those who have not heard; but also too make disciples of Jesus Christ from all peoples everywhere, so that he might present every believing man, woman and child perfect in Christ Jesus.
The question then is have you received the Lord Jesus Christ? For that is where Christian discipleship begins, with repentance towards God, and faith in Lord Jesus Christ as testified too in the Scriptures. For when one believes in Jesus, calling upon His Name, one is immediately born-again by the Holy Spirit, and thus the Lord Jesus Christ comes and dwells within them, making our bodies the Temple of the Lord. Therefore if you would like to receive the Lord Jesus Christ simply pray in faith something like this: Dear Lord Jesus I believe that you were crucified for my sins because God loves me and that You rose again the third day to vanquish death forever for all those who believe in and receive You. Therefore I now invite You into my heart and life to be both my Lord and Savior in Jesus Christ's name, amen.
Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. (1982). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
Commentary
Vs. 24 The Apostle Paul having introduced himself to the brethren at Colosse, having declared to them both his love as well as his concern for them all. Then went onto systemically expound not only the Preeminence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as the Head of the Body, but also the completeness of His sacrificial crucifixion death and shed blood on our behalf. Paul then having addressed these things now basically says of his own sufferings for the Lord and the Gospel that because he knows the Lord is working through them, bringing him as a Gospel minister to them, And not only them, but also every believer everywhere, that he rejoices in them. Rest assured then if any believer suffers for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake their suffering will not only be rewarded by Him on the last day, but it will also be used by Him in some meaningful way down here.
Vs. 25-27 The Apostle Paul then wasn't some self-appointed apostle or Gospel minister (vs. 25). Paul was chosen by the Risen Christ specifically for this high and holy purpose (Acts 9:1-19; 26:1-18). That he might not only be a minister of the mystery of God hidden from previous ages and generations, but that he might also have the privilege and honor to suffer for it. A mystery that is now being revealed to God's saints (vs. 26), that is all those who believe in Jesus Christ are not only saints of God but will have the fullness of God within themselves, which Jesus Christ's Person. In previous generations the prophets only knew that the Christ would come as a Man and suffer crucifixion death for our sins and transgressions before He would set up His Kingly throne and reign. They did not know that His Person would be, and His reign would begin, inside each and everyone who calls upon His Name (vs. 27).
Vs. 28-29 Therefore the Apostle Paul says it is Jesus Christ, Savior of sinners and Lord of all that He preaches. Not a doctrine or a dogma, not angels and spirits, not some spiritual gifting or gift. But the Lord Jesus Christ crucified and Risen from the dead who is Lord, Savior, and Judge of all men (Acts 10:42; 17:31; 1 Tim 4:10 etc.). And so Him we preach warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus (vs. 28). Therefore the Apostle Paul says: "To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily." vs. 29 And so Paul like every true Gospel minister labors in this, and for this very purpose, to present the Gospel to those who have not heard; but also too make disciples of Jesus Christ from all peoples everywhere, so that he might present every believing man, woman and child perfect in Christ Jesus.
The question then is have you received the Lord Jesus Christ? For that is where Christian discipleship begins, with repentance towards God, and faith in Lord Jesus Christ as testified too in the Scriptures. For when one believes in Jesus, calling upon His Name, one is immediately born-again by the Holy Spirit, and thus the Lord Jesus Christ comes and dwells within them, making our bodies the Temple of the Lord. Therefore if you would like to receive the Lord Jesus Christ simply pray in faith something like this: Dear Lord Jesus I believe that you were crucified for my sins because God loves me and that You rose again the third day to vanquish death forever for all those who believe in and receive You. Therefore I now invite You into my heart and life to be both my Lord and Savior in Jesus Christ's name, amen.
Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. (1982). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
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