He Has Rescued Us, Ron Ward
CHRIST IN YOU, THE HOPE OF GLORY
Passage: Colossians 1:24~29  
Key verse: 27
Paul’s Labor for the Church
24 Now I rejoice(A) in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions,(B) for the sake of his body, which is the church.(C) 25 I have become its servant(D) by the commission God gave me(E) to present to you the word of God(F) in its fullness— 26 the mystery(G) that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. 27 To them God has chosen to make known(H) among the Gentiles the glorious riches(I) of this mystery, which is Christ in you,(J) the hope of glory.
28 He is the one we proclaim, admonishing(K) and teaching everyone with all wisdom,(L) so that we may present everyone fully mature(M) in Christ. 29 To this end I strenuously(N) contend(O) with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.(P)
Cross references
- Colossians 1:24 : S 2Co 6:10
- Colossians 1:24 : S 2Co 1:5
- Colossians 1:24 : S 1Co 12:27
- Colossians 1:25 : ver 23; S 1Co 3:5
- Colossians 1:25 : Eph 3:2
- Colossians 1:25 : S Heb 4:12
- Colossians 1:26 : S Ro 16:25
- Colossians 1:27 : S Mt 13:11
- Colossians 1:27 : S Ro 2:4
- Colossians 1:27 : S Ro 8:10
- Colossians 1:28 : Col 3:16
- Colossians 1:28 : 1Co 2:6, 7
- Colossians 1:28 : Mt 5:48; Eph 5:27
- Colossians 1:29 : 1Co 15:10; 2Co 11:23
- Colossians 1:29 : Col 2:1
- Colossians 1:29 : Eph 1:19; 3:7
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source:  BibleGateway
1. Paul's labor for the church (24-25)
Paul rejoiced to participate in the remaining suffering of Christ. Christ's suffering, death, and resurrection was sufficient for the full salvation of all people. Now Christ's suffering was to bring a lost world to himself through the proclamation of the gospel. Paul's suffering to plant God's word was a part of this.
2. The mystery now disclosed (26-27)
The mystery that was hidden for so long has now been revealed: God is not just the God of the Jews. God wants to save all people, even the Gentiles. When Gentiles accept the gospel, then they, too, are indwelt by Christ. They have the same hope to reign with Christ in the heavenly kingdom.
3. To present everyone perfect in Christ (28-29)
This is Paul's prayer topic; this is the purpose of his hard work; it is this goal that gives meaning to his suffering. When everyone is perfect in Christ, then God's kingdom will come on earth as it is in heaven.
Prayer: 'Your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.'
One Word: Christ in me, the hope of glory