“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:”
My Notes
What Does Colossians 1:27 Mean?
Paul reveals the mystery hidden from ages and generations but now made manifest: Christ in you, the hope of glory. The mystery is not just Christ for you or Christ above you. It is Christ in you — inside, indwelling, permanently present.
"The riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles" — the mystery is especially glorious because it extends to the Gentiles. Christ indwelling non-Jewish believers was the hidden plan now revealed.
"Christ in you" — two words and a preposition that summarize the entire Christian experience. Christ is not external. He is internal. The hope of glory is not waiting for you in heaven. It is living inside you now.
"The hope of glory" — the indwelling Christ is not just present comfort. He is future hope. The Christ in you now is the guarantee of the glory to come. His presence is the down payment on the inheritance.
Reflection Questions
- 1.What does 'Christ in you' mean for the location of your hope?
- 2.How is the mystery being 'among the Gentiles' especially significant?
- 3.What is the difference between Christ for you and Christ in you?
- 4.How does Christ's indwelling function as both present reality and future guarantee?
Devotional
Christ in you, the hope of glory. The mystery hidden from ages. Now revealed. And the content of the mystery is three words: Christ in you.
Not Christ above you. Not Christ for you. Not Christ beside you. In you. Inside. Indwelling. The creator of the universe has taken up residence in your body. The hope of glory is not a distant promise. It is a present person — living inside you.
The riches of the glory of this mystery. The mystery is not just revealed. It is rich. Gloriously rich. The content — Christ in you — carries riches that the ages could not contain and generations could not discover.
Among the Gentiles. The mystery is especially stunning for Gentile believers. The Christ who was Israel's Messiah now indwells people from every nation. The hidden plan was always this: Christ not just for Israel but in everyone who believes.
The hope of glory. Christ in you is both a present reality and a future guarantee. His indwelling now is the down payment on the glory to come. The hope is not wishful thinking. It is a person — already living inside you — who guarantees the future.
Christ in you. Let that land. The one who holds the universe is inside your body. The hope of every glorious future is already present — not coming someday but residing now. In you.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
To whom God would make known,.... The spring and cause of the manifestation of the Gospel to the saints, and chosen of…
To whom - To the saints. God would make known - “Willed (Greek) to make known;” that is, he was pleased to make this…
The riches of the glory - God manifests to these how abundantly glorious this Gospel is among the Gentiles; and how…
Here is a summary of the doctrine of the gospel concerning the great work of our redemption by Christ. It comes in here…
would Lit., willed, or (as R.V.) was pleased. All was sovereign mercy. Cp. Mat 11:27.
the riches of the glory "Riches"…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture