Colossians 1:27 kjv

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:

Colossians 1:27 nkjv

To them God willed 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.

Colossians 1:27 niv

To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Colossians 1:27 esv

To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Colossians 1:27 nlt

For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.

Colossians 1 verses

Colossians 1 27 Meaning

Colossians 1:27 reveals the core of God's redemptive plan: a previously hidden truth, a "mystery," now made known particularly to the Gentile world. This mystery is the indwelling presence of Christ in believers, the ultimate source and guarantee of their future glory. It emphasizes the profound spiritual wealth accessible to all who believe, transcending former distinctions between Jew and Gentile, and securing a glorious destiny through union with Christ.

Colossians 1 27 Context

Colossians 1:27 falls within Paul's letter to the church at Colossae, where he defends the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ against emerging heretical teachings. These teachings (often called the "Colossian heresy") seem to have blended elements of legalism, asceticism, philosophical speculation, angel worship, and a claim to secret knowledge, which effectively diminished the unique and all-sufficient role of Jesus Christ.

The verses leading up to Colossians 1:27 establish Christ's cosmic preeminence: He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation, through whom all things were created and in whom all things hold together (Col 1:15-17). He is also the head of the church, the firstborn from the dead, and the one in whom all the fullness of God dwells, having reconciled all things to Himself through His blood on the cross (Col 1:18-20). This universal scope of Christ's work naturally extends to Jew and Gentile. Paul transitions to discussing his own ministry, explaining that he suffers to fulfill God's word (Col 1:24-25), revealing the mystery hidden for ages but now made manifest. Verse 27 explicitly states this "mystery" and its recipients.

Historically, the exclusion of Gentiles from full participation in God's covenant blessings was a deeply ingrained aspect of Jewish identity. The Old Testament foretold Gentile inclusion (e.g., Isa 49:6), but its practical outworking was a major point of contention in early Christianity (e.g., Acts 15). Paul's emphasis here on the mystery being made known "among the Gentiles" directly addresses this, confirming the universal reach of Christ's redemptive work and directly countering any exclusive claims to truth or salvation. The Colossian heresy, with its secret knowledge emphasis, is subverted by Paul declaring that the true "mystery" has been publicly revealed and is not for an elite few, but for all believers, Jew or Gentile, through the indwelling Christ.

Colossians 1 27 Word analysis

• To them (οἷς - hois): Refers back to the "saints and faithful brothers in Christ" mentioned earlier in Colossians 1:2 and implicitly to the church body described in the preceding verses. Paul's ministry is specifically for believers.
• God chose (ἠθέλησεν ὁ Θεός - ēthelēsen ho Theos): Emphasizes divine initiative and sovereignty. It was God's deliberate, gracious will to make this mystery known. It wasn't earned or discovered by human effort.
• to make known (γνωρίσαι - gnōrisai): From gnorizo, meaning to cause to know, to declare, reveal. Implies a previously hidden truth now made clear. This is not about human search for truth but divine disclosure.
• how great (τί τὸ πλοῦτος - ti to ploutos): Literally "what the riches." Highlights the immeasurable value and abundance. "Great" underscores the incredible magnitude and worth.
• among the Gentiles (ἐν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν - en tois ethnesin): A crucial demographic emphasis. "Gentiles" (ethnos) refers to non-Jews. Their inclusion in God's saving plan, as full participants and recipients of divine revelation, was a "mystery" to Old Testament saints and a contentious point in the early church. This demonstrates the radical inclusivity of the gospel.
• are the riches (ὁ πλοῦτος - ho ploutos): From ploutos, signifying abundant wealth, prosperity, or resources. This "wealth" is not material but spiritual, derived from God's glory and Christ's presence.
• of the glory (τῆς δόξης - tēs doxēs): Doxa denotes majesty, splendor, reputation, divine radiance. The "riches" are saturated with God's inherent, glorious nature, indicating an incomparable quality. This is divine glory bestowed upon and experienced by believers.
• of this mystery (τοῦ μυστηρίου - tou mystēriou): Mystērion in the Bible does not mean something incomprehensible, but something previously hidden and now revealed by God, particularly related to His redemptive purposes. It's a sacred secret now openly proclaimed. This stands in stark contrast to Gnostic "mysteries" which were esoteric and exclusive.
• which is Christ in you (ὅς ἐστιν Χριστὸς ἐν ὑμῖν - hos estin Christos en hymin): This is the core identification of the mystery. "Christ in you" describes a profound spiritual union and indwelling. "In you" (en hymin) is plural, referring to the community of believers and individual believers. It implies Christ's presence as empowering life, righteousness, and hope, not merely an external legal declaration. It combats the Colossian heresy's reliance on external rituals, angelic mediators, or secret knowledge.
• the hope (ἡ ἐλπὶς - hē elpis): "Hope" in the New Testament is not a wishful desire but a confident expectation and certainty based on God's promises and Christ's finished work. It's an assured future.
• of glory (τῆς δόξης - tēs doxēs): Refers to the future state of full conformity to Christ's glorious image, the bodily resurrection, and dwelling in God's presence, experiencing His full glory. This hope is made possible and guaranteed by "Christ in you."

Words-group analysis:

• "To them God chose to make known": Emphasizes divine election and revelation. God initiates and provides the knowledge, not humans through self-effort.
• "how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery": Highlights the surprising and magnificent scope of the mystery, especially its embrace of non-Jews, and describes its inherent value as infused with God's very glory.
• "which is Christ in you, the hope of glory": Directly identifies the mystery and its glorious consequence. "Christ in you" is the present reality that guarantees "the hope of glory," linking current indwelling to future consummation. This direct equation between the indwelling Christ and the hope of glory provides immense assurance.

Colossians 1 27 Bonus section

The concept of "mystery" (mystērion) in Paul's writings, particularly here and in Ephesians, often refers to a divine truth previously hidden in Old Testament times, which God has now revealed in the age of the church through Christ and His apostles. It's not something esoteric or enigmatic, but rather a truth once veiled, now unveiled. The key aspect of this mystery is often the inclusion of the Gentiles as co-heirs with Israel in God's covenant blessings through Christ, which was largely unanticipated in its full scope by many in the ancient world. The emphasis on the "riches of the glory" being made known specifically "among the Gentiles" highlights a revolutionary aspect of God's plan—a demonstration of His boundless grace that extends far beyond the confines of historical Judaism, culminating in Christ dwelling within every believer, providing direct access to God and a glorious future.

Colossians 1 27 Commentary

Colossians 1:27 is a pivotal statement in Paul's defense of Christ's all-sufficiency and the nature of the gospel. It unpacks the content of the "mystery" mentioned in verse 26, clarifying that it is not some secret knowledge for an enlightened few but the openly revealed truth of "Christ in you, the hope of glory."

First, the verse highlights God's sovereign initiative. It was "God [who] chose to make known" this mystery, emphasizing His gracious will and predetermined plan to reveal this profound truth. This revelation shatters any human-centric approach to salvation or spiritual enlightenment.

Crucially, this mystery is revealed "among the Gentiles." This inclusivity was radical in the ancient world and remains a testament to the boundless nature of God's grace, breaking down long-standing barriers. The inclusion of Gentiles, once "strangers to the covenants of promise," in the "riches of the glory" of God's mystery underscores the vastness and non-discriminatory character of the gospel.

The essence of this mystery is "Christ in you." This is not merely an intellectual assent to Christ's existence or external adherence to a set of rules, but the profound, mystical reality of Christ's spiritual presence dwelling within individual believers and the believing community. This indwelling presence of Christ is the source of spiritual vitality, moral transformation, and authentic Christian life. It directly counteracts any Gnostic tendencies that would seek truth in external rituals, elaborate philosophies, or mediating beings, insisting that true spiritual fullness resides in a direct, internal union with Christ.

Finally, "Christ in you" is declared to be "the hope of glory." This connects the present reality of Christ's indwelling with the future certainty of glorification. The presence of Christ in the believer now is not only empowering for life's challenges but is also the absolute guarantee of a future transformation into Christ's glorious likeness, a participation in His divine nature, and an inheritance of eternal glory. This hope is firm and assured, resting on the unshakable foundation of Christ Himself. It provides believers with enduring confidence amidst suffering and the sure expectation of their ultimate destiny.

Practical applications:

• Assurance: Your hope for glory isn't based on your performance, but on Christ's presence within you.
• Inclusivity: The gospel is for everyone; barriers of race, social status, or background are dissolved in Christ.
• Focus: True spiritual richness is found in Christ's indwelling, not external religious practices or secret knowledge.