Colossians 1:24-2:5

24a

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake,

Ac

and in my flesh I am filling up what is 24b lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake Id of his body, that is, the church, 25a of which I became a minister 25b according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you,

Id Exp Id Pur Exp

25c to make the word of God fully known, 26a

the mystery (WOG) hidden for ages and Csv generations

26b but now revealed to his saints. 27a 27b To them God chose to make known ...among the Gentiles...

Id

Exp

how great...are the riches of the glory of Exp this mystery,

Exp

27a & b are part of the same thought

27c which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28a Him we proclaim, 28b warning everyone 28c and teaching everyone with all wisdom, 28d

Id Ac Ac P Mn BL
warning first: of what? judgment. then to those who listen: teaching

that we may present everyone mature in Pur Christ.

29a For this I toil, 29b struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love,

Ac Id Mn Ac Exp

2a 2b

S Ac Pur Pur

2c

to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of Id God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this

3 4a 4b 5a 5b 5c

Exp Ac

in order that no one may delude you with Pur plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit,

Csv Ac

affirmation of his concern & kind of saying that he's keeping an eye on them

rejoicing to see your good order and the Mn firmness of your faith in Christ.

Colossians 1:24-2:5

Notes
The centrepiece of this passage is 1:28 'Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.' This appears to me, to be the ultimate goal and aim for Paul's suffering and toil. For the preceding supporting argument, he speaks of his suffering and ministry to the Gentiles, and the purpose of it to make the word of God fully known. In the following argument, he explains the struggle he has for the Colossians and Laodiceans, then goes on to give the reasons for that - to encourage their hearts so that they attain the riches of understanding and that they won't be deceived by false arguments.

The two concessive relationships here are worth noting among the paradoxes often found in the Christian faith: 'mystery hidden in the past, but presently revealed', 'absent in body, present in spirit'.