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Colossians 1:25-29

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, the mystery which has been hidden for ages and generations. But now it has been revealed to his saints, 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. We proclaim him, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus; for which I also labor, striving according to his working, which works in me mightily.

World English Bible · Public Domain
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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, 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, the mystery which has been hidden for ages and generations. But now it has been revealed to his saints, 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. We proclaim him, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus; for which I also labor, striving according to his working, which works in me mightily.

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Parallel Translations

  • WEB World English Bible

    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,

    the mystery which has been hidden for ages and generations. But now it has been revealed to his saints,

    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.

    We proclaim him, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus;

    for which I also labor, striving according to his working, which works in me mightily.

  • TYNDALE Tyndale New Testament (1534)

    wherof I am made a minister acordynge to the ordinaunce of god which ordinaunce was geven me vnto you warde to fulfill the worde of god

    that mistery hid sence the worlde beganne and sence the begynnynge of generacions: but now is opened to his saynctes

    to whom god wolde make knowen the glorious riches of this mistery amonge the gentyls which riches is Christ in you the hope of glory

    whom we preach warnynge all men and teachinge all men in all wisdome to make all men parfect in Christ Iesu.

    Wherin I also laboure and stryve even as farforth as hys workynge worketh in me myghtely.

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  • GNV Geneva Bible (1599)

    Whereof I am a minister, according to the dispensation of God, which is giuen mee vnto you ward, to fulfill the word of God,

    Which is the mysterie hid since the world began, and from all ages, but nowe is made manifest to his Saintes,

    To whome God woulde make knowen what is the riches of his glorious mysterie among the Gentiles, which riches is Christ in you, the hope of glory,

    Whome we preache, admonishing euery man, and teaching euery man in all wisdome, that we may present euery man perfect in Christ Iesus,

    Whereunto I also labour and striue, according to his working which worketh in me mightily.

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Cross-references (131)

  • John 14:20 (v27) In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.
  • Romans 8:10 (v27) If Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the spirit is alive because of righteousness.
  • Ephesians 3:16-17 (v27) that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner…
  • 1 John 4:4 (v27) You are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world.
  • Galatians 2:20 (v27) I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I live…
Show all 100 cross-references
  • 1 Corinthians 3:16 (v27) Don’t you know that you are a temple of God, and that God’s Spirit lives in you?
  • Revelation 3:20 (v27) Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and…
  • John 14:17 (v27) the Spirit of truth, whom the world can’t receive; for it doesn’t see him and doesn’t know him. You know him, for he lives with you, and…
  • Ephesians 1:17-18 (v27) that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him,…
  • Ephesians 5:27 (v28) that he might present the assembly to himself gloriously, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and…
  • Jeremiah 3:15 (v28) I will give you shepherds according to my heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.
  • 2 Corinthians 4:6 (v27) seeing it is God who said, “Light will shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory…
  • Galatians 4:19 (v27) My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ is formed in you—
  • John 14:23 (v27) Jesus answered him, “If a man loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our home with him.
  • 1 Timothy 1:1 (v27) Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ according to the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ our hope;
  • Colossians 2:3 (v27) in whom all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden.
  • John 17:26 (v27) I made known to them your name, and will make it known; that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and I in them.”
  • 2 Corinthians 6:16 (v27) What agreement does a temple of God have with idols? For you are a temple of the living God. Even as God said, “I will dwell in them and…
  • John 15:2-5 (v27) Every branch in me that doesn’t bear fruit, he takes away. Every branch that bears fruit, he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are…
  • Ephesians 4:11-13 (v28) He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints,…
  • Colossians 3:11 (v27) where there can’t be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondservant, or free person; but Christ is all,…
  • John 17:22-23 (v27) The glory which you have given me, I have given to them; that they may be one, even as we are one; I in them, and you in me, that they may…
  • Ephesians 2:22 (v27) in whom you also are built together for a habitation of God in the Spirit.
  • Matthew 5:48 (v28) Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
  • 1 Peter 1:3-4 (v27) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy caused us to be born again to a living hope…
  • John 6:56 (v27) He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me, and I in him.
  • 1 Corinthians 15:10 (v29) But by the grace of God I am what I am. His grace which was given to me was not futile, but I worked more than all of them; yet not I, but…
  • Romans 9:23 (v27) and that he might make known the riches of his glory on vessels of mercy, which he prepared beforehand for glory,
  • Ephesians 1:7 (v27) in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,
  • Philippians 4:19 (v27) My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
  • Psalms 16:9-11 (v27) Therefore my heart is glad, and my tongue rejoices. My body shall also dwell in safety. For you will not leave my soul in Sheol, neither…
  • Romans 5:2 (v27) through whom we also have our access by faith into this grace in which we stand. We rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
  • Romans 8:18-19 (v27) For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed toward us. For…
  • Colossians 3:16 (v28) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs,…
  • 2 Timothy 2:24-25 (v28) The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but be gentle toward all, able to teach, patient, in gentleness correcting those who oppose him:…
  • Luke 8:10 (v26) He said, “To you it is given to know the mysteries of God’s Kingdom, but to the rest in parables; that ‘seeing they may not see, and…
  • Ephesians 3:2 (v25) if it is so that you have heard of the administration of that grace of God which was given me toward you,
  • Colossians 1:5 (v27) because of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the Good News
  • Matthew 13:11 (vv26–27) He answered them, “To you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, but it is not given to them.
  • Luke 17:21 (v27) neither will they say, ‘Look, here!’ or, ‘Look, there!’ for behold, God’s Kingdom is within you.”
  • Romans 16:25-26 (v26)
  • 1 Corinthians 2:6 (v28) We speak wisdom, however, among those who are full grown, yet a wisdom not of this world nor of the rulers of this world who are coming to…
  • 2 Corinthians 4:17 (v27) For our light affliction, which is for the moment, works for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory,
  • Galatians 1:15-16 (v27) But when it was the good pleasure of God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through his grace to reveal his Son in me,…
  • Ephesians 3:8-10 (v27) To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all men…
  • 2 Corinthians 2:14 (v27) Now thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and reveals through us the sweet aroma of his knowledge in every place.
  • Ephesians 1:19 (v29) and what is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might
  • 1 Corinthians 2:12-14 (v27) But we received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God, that we might know the things that were freely given to us…
  • 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 (v29) Every man who strives in the games exercises self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown, but we an…
  • Ephesians 3:3-10 (v26) how that by revelation the mystery was made known to me, as I wrote before in few words, by which, when you read, you can perceive my…
  • Colossians 1:22 (v28) yet now he has reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without defect and blameless before him,
  • Psalms 25:14 (v26) The friendship of Yahweh is with those who fear him. He will show them his covenant.
  • Mark 4:11 (v26) He said to them, “To you is given the mystery of God’s Kingdom, but to those who are outside, all things are done in parables,
  • Acts 20:31 (v28) Therefore watch, remembering that for a period of three years I didn’t cease to admonish everyone night and day with tears.
  • 1 Corinthians 2:7 (v26) But we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the wisdom that has been hidden, which God foreordained before the worlds for our glory,
  • 2 Corinthians 11:2 (v28) For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy. For I married you to one husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin to Christ.
  • Ephesians 3:7 (v29) of which I was made a servant according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power.
  • 2 Timothy 1:10 (v26) but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light…
  • Acts 8:35 (v28) Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached to him about Jesus.
  • Romans 11:33 (v27) Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past tracing out!
  • 2 Corinthians 4:5 (v28) For we don’t preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake,
  • Philippians 2:13 (v29) For it is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.
  • Colossians 1:23 (v25) if it is so that you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the Good News which you heard,…
  • Hebrews 13:21 (vv28–29) make you complete in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom…
  • 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (v29) He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in…
  • Galatians 2:7-8 (v25) but to the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the Good News for the uncircumcised, even as Peter with the Good News for…
  • Colossians 2:1 (v29) For I desire to have you know how greatly I struggle for you, and for those at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the…
  • Luke 21:15 (v28) for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to withstand or to contradict.
  • Romans 15:20 (v29) yes, making it my aim to preach the Good News, not where Christ was already named, that I might not build on another’s foundation.
  • 1 Corinthians 12:8 (v28) For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom, and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit;
  • 1 Corinthians 12:11 (v29) But the one and the same Spirit produces all of these, distributing to each one separately as he desires.
  • Ephesians 3:8 (v28) To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
  • Philippians 2:16 (v29) holding up the word of life, that I may have something to boast in the day of Christ, that I didn’t run in vain nor labor in vain.
  • Colossians 2:10 (v28) and in him you are made full, who is the head of all principality and power.
  • Colossians 4:12 (v29) Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and…
  • 1 Thessalonians 2:9 (v29) For you remember, brothers, our labor and travail; for working night and day, that we might not burden any of you, we preached to you the…
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:12-14 (v28) But we beg you, brothers, to know those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you, and to respect and honor them…
  • 2 Thessalonians 3:8 (v29) neither did we eat bread from anyone’s hand without paying for it, but in labor and travail worked night and day, that we might not burden…
  • 1 Timothy 3:2 (v28) The overseer therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, modest, hospitable, good at teaching;
  • 2 Timothy 4:2-5 (v25) preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort with all patience and teaching. For the time will come…
  • Hebrews 10:14 (v28) For by one offering he has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.
  • Proverbs 8:5 (v28) You simple, understand prudence! You fools, be of an understanding heart!
  • Matthew 28:20 (v28) teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
  • Mark 6:34 (v28) Jesus came out, saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he began to…
  • Acts 5:42 (v28) Every day, in the temple and at home, they never stopped teaching and preaching Jesus, the Christ.
  • Acts 8:5 (v28) Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and proclaimed to them the Christ.
  • Acts 9:20 (v28) Immediately in the synagogues he proclaimed the Christ, that he is the Son of God.
  • Acts 13:38 (v28) Be it known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man is proclaimed to you remission of sins,
  • Romans 15:30 (v29) Now I beg you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in your prayers to God…
  • 1 Corinthians 1:23 (v28) but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews, and foolishness to Greeks,
  • 1 Corinthians 1:30 (v28) Because of him, you are in Christ Jesus, who was made to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption:
  • 1 Corinthians 12:6 (v29) There are various kinds of workings, but the same God, who works all things in all.
  • 1 Corinthians 15:12 (v28) Now if Christ is preached, that he has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?
  • 2 Corinthians 5:9 (v29) Therefore also we make it our aim, whether at home or absent, to be well pleasing to him.
  • 2 Corinthians 6:5 (v29) in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in labors, in watchings, in fastings;
  • 2 Corinthians 10:14 (v28) For we don’t stretch ourselves too much, as though we didn’t reach to you. For we came even as far as to you with the Good News of Christ,
  • 2 Corinthians 11:23 (v29) Are they servants of Christ? (I speak as one beside himself.) I am more so: in labors more abundantly, in prisons more abundantly, in…
  • 2 Corinthians 13:3 (v29) seeing that you seek a proof of Christ who speaks in me; who toward you is not weak, but is powerful in you.
  • Ephesians 3:20 (v29) Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
  • Philippians 1:15-18 (v28) Some indeed preach Christ even out of envy and strife, and some also out of good will. The former insincerely preach Christ from selfish…

100 distinct cross-references across this passage (131 total citations).

Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)

Explain this passage (24 sources)

Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.

John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain On vv25–29 25. Of which I am made a minister. Mark…

25. Of which I am made a minister. Mark under what character he suffers for the Church — as being a minister, not to give the price of redemption, (as Augustine dexterously and piously expresses himself,) but to proclaim it. He calls himself, however, in this instance, a minister of the Church on a different ground from that on which he called himself elsewhere, (1 Corinthians 4:1,) a minister of God, and a little ago, (Colossians 1:23,) a minister of the gospel. For the Apostles serve God and Christ for the advancement of the glory of both: they serve the Church, and administer the gospel itself, with a view to promote salvation. There is, therefore, a different reason for the ministry in these expressions, but the one cannot subsist without the other. He says, however, towards you, that they may know that his office has a connection also with them.

To fulfill the word. He states the end of his ministry — that the word of God may be effectual, as it is, when it is obediently received. For this is the excellence of the gospel, that it is the

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power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth. (Romans 1:16.)

God, therefore, gives efficacy and influence to his word through means of the Apostles. For although preaching itself, whatever may be its issue, is the fulfilling of the word, yet it is the fruit that shews at length that the seed has not been sown in vain.

John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.

Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv25–28 He bringeth another proof of his Apostleship, to wit,…
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv25–29 25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to…
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv25–29 Whereof I am made a minister; see under what…
William Burkitt 1703 · Public Domain On vv25, 28 Our apostle in these words, seems to assign a…
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv25–29 Whereof I am made a minister,.... Not of Christ,…
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv25–28 According to the dispensation of God which is given…
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv25, 26, 27, 29 Verse 25. Whereof I am made a minister] Having…
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv25–29 According to the dispensation of God - The arrangement…
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv25–26 According to the dispensation of God; i.e. to the…
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv25–29 am--Greek, "I was made a minister": resuming Col 1:23,…
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv25–29 25. Minister—Servant, of the gospel, in Col_1:23, here of…
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv25–29 25. whereof] That is, of the Church; on behalf…
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv25–29 (25) Whereof I am made (or, became) a minister.—Above…
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv25–29 Of which I became a minister (2Co_4:5 2Co_6:3-10 2Co_11:28,…
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On vv25–29 Whereof I am made a minister.
The Expositor's Bible 1887 · Public Domain On v28 Chapter 1 Part 9
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain On vv25–29 25. According to the dispensation. God made him a…
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary 1892 · Public Domain On vv25, 28 Col_1:25-27. See notes on Eph_3:7 ff.
William B. Godbey 1900 · Public Domain On v28 28. “Whom we preach admonishing every man and teaching…
Alexander MacLaren 1905 · Public Domain On v29
C. I. Scofield 1917 · Public Domain On vv26–28 (See Scofield "Mat 13:11").
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v28 we proclaim ... We admonish ... we teach ...…
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v26 1:26 The concept of a secret, hidden at one…
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