Colossians 1:24-29
Christ in You
Read the passage
24Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions for the sake of His body, which is the church.
25I became its servant by the commission God gave me to fully proclaim to you the word of God,
26the mystery that was hidden for ages and generations but is now revealed to His saints.
27To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
28We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.
29To this end I also labor, striving with all His energy working powerfully within me.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
Paul rejoices in suffering for the church. He speaks of filling up in his flesh what is lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions. He is not adding to the saving value of Christ's death. The letter has just located reconciliation in that death. Paul bears the further suffering that comes with serving Christ and bringing His message to others.
God commissioned him to proclaim His word fully. What was hidden through earlier ages has now been revealed to God's people: the glorious riches of Christ among the Gentiles, Christ in them as the hope of glory.
The mystery is something God has made known, not a secret reserved for a spiritual few. Gentile believers share in Christ and in the hope of His glory. God's gracious purpose reaches people beyond Israel.
Paul proclaims Christ, warning and teaching everyone with wisdom so that everyone may be presented mature in Him. This work includes patient explanation and correction. His concern is for the growth of the whole church.
He labors and strives, but the energy comes from Christ working powerfully within him. Grace sustains his effort through hardship. The church's hope and its servant's strength come from the same Lord.
Questions
1 Does Paul's suffering add to the saving value of the cross?
AnswerNo. He bears suffering in Christ's service for the church; reconciliation rests on Christ's death, as the preceding verses explain.
2 What mystery has God now revealed among the Gentiles?
AnswerChrist is in them as the hope of glory. Gentile believers share in Him and the future His presence promises.
3 What is the purpose of Paul's warning and teaching?
AnswerHe seeks to present everyone mature in Christ. His ministry aims at the growth of the whole church in its Lord.
4 What enables Paul to keep laboring?
AnswerChrist's energy works powerfully within him. Paul exerts real effort while depending on the strength his Lord supplies.
What This Means for Us
Helping someone grow in faith takes more than offering encouragement once. It can require answering the same question patiently, warning about a harmful choice or returning to a passage together. Christ gives purpose to that work and strength for it.
When discussing faith with a child, listen carefully and explain gently where needed. The aim is understanding Christ better. We can welcome an honest answer while helping the person learn what Scripture actually says.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for being the hope of glory for Your people. Strengthen those who teach and care for us, and give us patience and wisdom to help others grow in You. Amen.