Colossians 1:24–29
Christ in believers is the revealed hope of glory, and faithful ministry labors to present every believer mature in Him.
24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and fill up on my part that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the assembly,
25 of which I was made a servant according to the stewardship of God which was given me toward you to fulfill the word of God,
26 the mystery which has been hidden for ages and generations. But now it has been revealed to his saints,
27 to whom God was pleased 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 We proclaim him, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus;
29 for which I also labor, striving according to his working, which works in me mightily.
Christ in believers is the revealed hope of glory, and faithful ministry labors to present every believer mature in Him.
To explain Paul’s suffering and stewardship as divinely appointed means for proclaiming the revealed mystery of Christ among the Gentiles and presenting believers mature in Him.
Colossians 1:24-29 follows Paul’s statement that he has become a servant of the gospel in 1:23. The passage now defines the shape of that servanthood: suffering for the church, stewardship of the word of God, revelation of the mystery of Christ among the Gentiles, proclamation of Christ, warning and teaching everyone, and labor toward mature presentation in Christ.
The Supremacy of Christ and the Gospel of Reconciliation
Because Christ is supreme over creation, head of the church, and reconciler through his blood, the church must remain rooted in the gospel and pursue maturity in him.