Monday, October 3, 2011

A MYSTERY REVEALED – GENTILES TO BE INCLUDED IN THE NEW COVENANT


In this post Paul makes a point of the truth that the Gentiles would be included in the new covenant prophesied by Jeremiah and Ezekiel.  That it was a mystery makes reference to the fact that it was always a part of God’s plan, but a part He had chosen to keep hidden until the appointed time.

Colossians 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:

Although none of the nine translations I used gave me clear support, I don’t believe Paul is making a statement that he is suffering for or because of the Colossian believers.  He is stating that he is rejoicing in their testimony in spite of his current suffering (in prison).  I think it would be true to say that just as their testimony encouraged Paul, he could expect his testimony in the midst of his suffering to be an encouragement to them.

The wording of the rest of the verse is hard for me to reconcile with the rest of the truth presented in scripture.  It reads as though there was something lacking in the afflictions of Christ, and I know that is not true.  As usual, I am going to look up all the words for keys in understanding.

“fill up” = to supplement, from roots that state, “Often used in composition to denote contrast, requital, substitution, correspondence, etc.” and “to complete; by implication, to occupy, supply; figuratively, to accomplish (by coincidence to obedience).”

“behind” = a deficit; specially, poverty, from a root that means “to be later, i.e. (by implication) to be inferior.”

“afflictions” = pressure (literally or figuratively):—afflicted(-tion), anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble.

Christ was afflicted in His physical body for His spiritual body, the church.  It is God’s purpose to use men to spread the truth of the gospel and enable the church to grow. 

Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Paul is not only fulfilling the great commission, he is being obedient to a special calling from God that puts him in the spotlight so to speak.  Paul is coming after Christ as His inferior, yet committed as His servant to help finish the work on earth that He started—establishing the church.  Jesus warned that His followers could expect no better treatment from the world than He had received.

John 15:18-20 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

In that regard, Paul’s suffering was on behalf of the whole church, since he was in prison for His service to the Lord in spreading the gospel and strengthening the body of believers through his teaching.  He was singled out for persecution because he had been so successful in his mission; he was a public figure.  He was so successful in his ministry because he was obedient and ministered in the power of the Spirit.  Paul is suffering in flesh for the good of the church just as Christ suffered in the flesh to lay the foundation for the church.  Paul is not declaring His suffering to be equal to what Christ suffered; he is just stating the fact that they both suffered to the benefit of the church.

Colossians 1:25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;

“Whereof” – Refers back to “the church.”

Paul declares himself a minister (servant, teacher) of the church according to the “dispensation” of God.  This is a reference to oversight and stewardship.  Paul has been put in authority by God to serve and teach the body of believers, especially the Gentile believers.  His message is in fulfillment of the word of God.

Colossians 1:26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:

Paul identifies his message as a mystery that has been hidden throughout history until this time—a mystery that has now been revealed to the saints.

Colossians 1:27 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:

It is to those who follow Him in faith and obedience that God chooses to reveal His secrets.  Paul teaches this same truth in his letter to the Ephesians a little more clearly:

Ephesians 3:4-6 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

The Old Testament scriptures clearly teach that the Jews were to be a blessing to the whole world and that God’s salvation was intended to include the Gentiles.

Isaiah 49:6 And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.

The Old Testament also taught of a new covenant that God would make with His people in which He would put His Holy Spirit in them.

Jeremiah 31:31 & 33 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah….But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Ezekiel makes it even clearer.

Ezekiel 36:22, 26-27 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD….A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

The mystery that had been hidden was that Gentiles would also be included in the new covenant and be blessed with the indwelling Holy Spirit.  The Colossian believers are part of this group of Gentiles being referenced, the group Paul identifies as the body of Christ.  Christ, the Messiah, would indwell each believer through His Spirit.  It is the indwelling Spirit that is our guarantee of our future with Christ—the hope of glory.  This is a mystery that is priceless--riches far beyond what we could ever imagine. 

(to be continued…)

No comments: