Colossians 1:25
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I became its servant by the commission God gave me to fully proclaim to you the word of God,
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
am--Greek, "I was made a minister": resuming Col 1:23, "whereof I Paul was made a minister." dispensation--the stewardship committed to me to dispense in the house of God, the Church, to the whole family of believers, the goods of my Master (Luk 12:42; Co1 4:1-2; Co1 9:17; Eph 3:2). which is given--Greek, "which was given." for you--with a view to you, Gentiles (Col 1:27; Rom 15:16). to fulfil--to bring it fully to all: the end of his stewardship: "fully preached" (Rom 15:19). "The fulness of Christ (Col 1:19), and of the times (Eph 1:10) required him so to do" [BENGEL].
Open source ↗We have here, I. The inscription, as usual (Col 1:1, Col 1:2). II. His thanksgiving to God for what he had heard concerning them - their faith, love, and hope (Col 1:3-8). III. His prayer for their knowledge, fruitfulness, and strength (Col 1:9-11). IV. An admirable summary of the Christian doctrine concerning the operation of the Spirit, the person of the Redeemer, the work of redemption, and the preaching of it in the gospel (v. 12-29).
Open source ↗Cross-references
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Surely you have heard about the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you,
if indeed you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope of the gospel you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
By pointing out these things to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of faith and sound instruction that you have followed.
We sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,
If my preaching is voluntary, I have a reward. But if it is not voluntary, I am still entrusted with a responsibility.