Colossians 1: 27 – Hidden among the nations

To whom God wills to make known what er the glorious riches of the secret among the nations, which is Christ among you, the expectation of glory!

What Paul makes known in his letters was hidden among the prophets. That doesn’t mean it can’t be found there, but that it is hidden there. For when the covering over the books of the old covenant is removed, what was previously hidden becomes revealed (2 Cor.3:14). Paul shows in his letters how the truth of the present time is hidden in the Hebrew Bible. In many ways there is already a hint at unbelieving Israel while the Messiah is seated at God’s right hand in heaven (Col. 3:1-4).

But if Christ is seated above, how can Paul here declare that Christ is among the nations? That question brings us to the second important characteristic of “the secret”. For the title Christ may refer primarily to the Head in heaven, but it also includes “the ecclesia which is His body.” Head and body form an inseparable unity. The Christ is not complete without the ecclesia being gathered among the nations today. This company shares in the exalted position of the Head above. Unimaginable!

Delen: