Colossians 1:26 26the mystery which has been hidden from the ages and from the generations, but now has been revealed to his saints,
These verses reflect back on the “word of God” from verse 25. This word is the gospel of Jesus Christ which Paul proclaimed wherever he went. He calls this word from God the mystery. This significant word refers to something that is hidden, and to be known, it must be revealed. What has been hidden is God’s plan of redemption. The prophets had a glimpse into this mystery but it has now been fully revealed in Christ (Romans 16:25-26). The mystery of the gospel has been hidden but now has been revealed.
The verb hidden (apokekrymmenon) is in the perfect tense, which suggests that there is still the possibility that the gospel is hidden from people who reject it. Their eyes are blinded and their hearts are hardened in unbelief. The mystery is now revealed through Jesus’ death and resurrection. Those who believe, called here his saints (hagiois), can understand and experience the power of the mystery of God’s plan of salvation. The message of Jesus Christ becomes more meaningful and clear as one grows in knowledge of it. This is not simply information and data, although that is important. It is personal and experiential knowledge that comes through a relationship of faith and dependence. Paul will emphasize this relational aspect of coming to know the mystery of God in Christ in the next verse.
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