Col. 2:8-15 - Christ is Triumphant

Christ triumphant, all comes through Him

Warning: Don’t be Deceived by Philosophy

Vs. 8 - See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.

"See to it" - The Second Warning in this chapter. Another BOLO (Be On Look Out) from Paul. Here is repeated one of the main recurring themes of the letter to the Colossians... Do not being led away from Christ by non-believers, or those who seem to be friends, who are trying to deceive.

"no one takes you captive" - literally to be taken away as booty (as the spoils of war). I think in this modern age of war 'spoils of war' is not part of the vernacular - at least for the U.S. Army, Navy, etc.
I have noticed in reading history, or historical novels, that when ships were captured, the captain and crew received money or rewards based on the value of the cargo, etc., in the captured vessel. This was also a means of getting new crew members for a ship. (This practice was part of the reason we fought the war of 1812 with Britain. They did not respect our ships and were raiding them and taking men off to populate the British ships.) This was especially true for pirates, but also seemed to apply to countries' shipping. So - don't let anyone seize you in this spiritual battle, and take you away from the truth.

"philosophy" - literally sophistry: a clever and deceptive manner or debating or arguing. This particular word is not used elsewhere in the NT. See also - Col. 2:23 (appearance of wisdom in self-made religion); 1 Tim. 6:20 (knowledge). The idea is not to be led away from Christ by the thoughts and wisdom of man - see 1 Cor. 1:17-30, Mk. 7:8.

"empty deception" - deceitfulness, delusion, trickery in speech and action. Paul then further defined philosophy as from man and the world, not Christ. Faith in God, and Jesus Christ is not philosophy (love of 'wisdom' - study of wisdom). Faith is more than study of a paradigm, more than a study of a way of life, or understanding life. It is a relationship with the God of the universe.

Vs. 9 - For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form,

- See Col. 1:19; Phil. 2:6,7. Here are the options: Man's philosophy or Christ Jesus. Jesus is the antidote for living by philosophy. Jesus became wholly man, but at the same time was wholly God - inexplicable. Just believe it. Verses 9-12 are an amplification of verse 2:8b; rather, an amplification of the last word - "Christ".

Vs. 10 - and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority;

- Paul begins a list in verse 9 of the reasons we should not be led away from Christ. They are:

1. He is God, wholly - v. 9
2. We have been made complete - v. 10
3. He is the head of everything - vs. 10
4. Our old life has been removed by His death - vs. 11
5. Our new life was bestowed by His resurrection - vs. 12
6. He has cancelled our debt to God - vs. 13.
7. The vanquished foe - Satan - will be publicly paraded in his defeat - vs. 15.

"made complete" - We have been made perfect, with nothing left to do by us. He did it all.

"He is head" - See Col. 1:16,17; John 1:1-3; See also,the last chapters of Revelation. God, in and through Jesus, the head of all things, will make this known when the time comes. See also Heb. 1:2,3.

Vs. 11 - and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ;

“circumcision made without hands”- Obviously not talking about a standard run-of-the-mill circumcision (is that possible?). The bodily circumcision as seen in the O.T. was a God-given seal indicating membership of the covenant people. It is analogous to water baptism in that it was not the circumcision that turned a man into a Jew, but was the outward physical show that the believer had committed to the cause.
Even the Old Testament insisted on the attitude of the heart as the key - See Jer. 4:4 - Just as ritual circumcision cuts away the foreskin as an external symbol of dedicated covenant commitment, you must genuinely dedicate yourselves to the LORD ...; Jer. 9:25-26 - ... I will punish all those who are circumcised only in the flesh. Deut. 10:16.
For a better explanation see the Tyndale commentary on Colossians. The removal of the flesh didn't cleanse - it was a symbolic cleansing of human nature. Paul is talking here about Christ's work. Our nature is changed, not symbolically, but actually removal of the body of flesh - Paul talks about this quite often, see: Rom. 6:6, 7:24; Gal. 5:24, 2:20, 6:14; Col. 3:5; 1 Cor. 15:50, 53, 54; John 3:5,6.

Vs. 12 - having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.

- Seeing as how I do not believe baptism itself is regenerative, nor essential for salvation, this verse has been one for thinking. The question has been raised: Do we fit the scriptures to our faith, or do we fit our faith to the scriptures? The issues of baptismal regeneration and once-saved-always-saved are the type of concepts that can easily fall into this category of heavily discussed doctrines. By this I mean there are supporting scriptures for each side of these issues, and they have been debated by greater minds than mine. That being said, it is also important that seemingly contradictory scriptures should be reconciled. God does not change His mind. God does not confuse us. He does not plant scripture just to give us mental gymnastic word games. It may be that we do not see clearly, and must come to a point that we trust God. Where we end up on these doctrinal issues may be on opposite sides. Partly it is due to the biases which we bring to our spiritual journey.

"raised up with Him through faith in the working of God. " Faith in God is the key. I'm sure the question is raised - are we not raised because of baptism? Not unless it is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. I believe Paul uses a parallelism here with the circumcision mentioned in verse 11. Note: the 'circumcision' was done by Christ; the raising up done by God. The circumcision done by man did not actually "save" the person, it was a symbolic shedding of the human nature (see Rom. 2:25-29). It indicated inclusion into the Jewish spiritual family. And there is the parallelism. Baptism does not actually save, but is a symbolic shedding of the old nature and accepting the new one from God. Baptism, like circumcision, indicates inclusion into the the family of God. It is the attitude of the heart that saves - faith in God.

Vs. 13 - When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions,

- Paul is writing to Gentiles. Not only were they lost (unsaved) because they did not obey the 'Law' (uncircumcision), but because of their sins. Dead twice over, or so to speak. And despite the Gentiles being in desperate straights, God was able to overcome and give them eternal life. Notice Paul changes the address (person) - "you were lost... you were made alive... God has forgiven us". The change in personal pronoun from you to us indicates Paul included himself in the cadre of those needing to be saved! They were lost twice over, but saved once is more than enough. God has done it for all, having forgiven all. Not just some sins, but all. Praise God. I was dead, but now I live - in Christ. (See also: Gal. 2:20, 21).

Vs. 14 - having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

- The 'certificate of debt' - our transgressions recorded and held to testify against us. And these are never in our favor - thereby hostile. (See: John 3:36) Some may think this verse refers to Christ's abolishment of the Law. It may. But the Gentiles were not exactly subject to the Law, not being descendants of Jacob. (See the Good News for Modern Man (GNMM), or Revised Standard Version translations for relevant wording). See also: Eph. 2:15, Heb. 7:18. Also each of us must face Him (God, the Father) either in our sins or in Christ. If in our sins, see Ps. 130:3,4; Rev. 20:11-15. If in Christ, we have life. Christ did not so much abolish the law as supersede it, make it unnecessary.
The certificate of debt was ended at the cross, that ending was ratified at the resurrection. (See Heb. 9:14, 22; 1 Pet. 2:24; Isa. 53:4; 1 Cor. 15:3). Christ was nailed to the cross, with our sins.

Vs. 15 - When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.

- Satan defeated! See Heb. 2:24; 1 John 3:8; 1 Cor. 15:23, 24. See also the GNMM version. Not only did Christ (God) defeat Satan and his plans, but He made a public spectacle of Satan's failure. It would have been enough for Jesus to have died for our sins. The resurrection was proof that sin was defeated. And Christ appearing to confirm the resurrection, is a public display making it difficult if not impossible for Satan and others to deny Christ's triumph. This is similar to our public declaration of our faith in Christ.
In ancient battles, the victors led the captives through the streets of the city as a display of the vanquished foe. That is the picture here. Jesus in this greatest of spiritual battle, displaying the defeated foe. This was the last of the list of reasons we should not stray from the truth.

Col. 2:16-19 - Hold fast to Christ

Hold fast to Christ, nothing less, nothing more

Vs. 16 - Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day—

- "Therefore" - Therefore, what? Because of the facts Paul has given above in verses 8-14, we have a list of reasons to cling to Christ and Him alone. We are admonished - do not be led astray . This is Paul’s Third Warning - BOLO - Don’t be Judged.
Here is a list of the reasons Paul can say, "Therefore". (See: Col. 2:8-15)

1. Jesus is all the fullness of God - v. 9
2. You have been made complete in Him - v. 10
3. You no longer are slave of your flesh, or body - v. 11
4. Jesus has all authority and power - v. 10
5. You have been given new life - death and resurrection - v. 12
6. You were dead because of your sin - now you are alive - v. 13
7. He has cancelled out the certificate of death - your death sentence - v. 14
8. He has disarmed rulers and authorities - especially Satan - they no longer have any power over you. - v. 15, 16

Since Christ should be pre-eminent in our lives - don't worry about the others making demands of you. Read Romans 14.

Paul lists the things with which people may try to weigh you down, saddle you with unneeded burdens:

1. "Food" - Mark 17:19; Rom. 14:17; Heb. 9:8-12
2. "Drink" - same as above
3. "Festival" - Lev. 23:2; Rom. 14:5
4. "New Moon" - 1 Chron. 23:31; 2 Chron. 31:3; Neh. 10:33
5. "Sabbath" - Mark 2:27-28; Deut. 5:14

These were all things that Jews felt necessary to be right with God. Not only Jews but there were pagan holidays, secular religions - whatever. If we are right with Christ, then these are useless. If not, then these have the potential to harm us, spiritually. These activities seem harmless, and often give us a framework upon which we can order our lives. These ‘harmless’ activities may give us a cocoon or a safe place where we feel comfortable. But this reliance can cause us to drift away from Jesus. We believe in a Person, not a system.

Vs. 17 - things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.

“mere shadow - These things are not real, or important. Because Christ only is important. The Jewish law served as a pointer to Christ - "types" is the official jargon. These items - food, festivals, etc., are called "shadows" because Christ is the real answer. (See Eph. 1:23).
The poet T.S. Eliot wrote a series of four poems about his conversion to Christianity ("The Four Quartets") One of the poems is about walking through a rose garden of an abandoned house (perhaps it was winter). As he looks at the rose bushes, he can see glimpses in his mind of how beautiful it used to be, but now lies in ruins. That is the picture of us here on earth with respect to heaven. With all the beauty we see around us, we know in our souls this is a dead and dying world, and there is something far more magnificent waiting for us.
We look around us, and the song "Is That All There Is?" (Peggy Lee) comes to mind. If this is all that we have going for us we might as well give up. But, thank God there is more, vastly more, immeasurably more than we can possibly imagine. Jesu Has prepared it for us.

Vs. 18 - Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind,

This is the Fourth Warning - BOLO - Do not be fooled, defrauded. (See the comment on verse 2:4.)

See the Tyndale commentary on Colossians. See also Good News For Modern Man version: “Do not allow yourselves to be condemned by anyone who claims to be superior because of special visions...”.

Of your prize... - What is the "prize"? Joy of freedom in Christ.

“Inflated without cause - Who are the ones who maintain man-made religion? People who have pride in their humility, therefore, false humility. Those who worship angels. Those who have 'visions' and dwell on them. These people try to keep us from experiencing joy in Christ by forcing us to comply with rules. They are trying to substitute the pleasure of clinging to ritual for the joy of knowing Jesus. Do not confuse form for substance!

Vs. 19 - and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God.

“not holding fast to the head“ - The real key to their problem. "There is a way that seems right to man, but its end is the way that leads to death." Prov. 14:12 By convincing themselves they are on the correct path, they have lost sight of the savior Jesus Christ. God provides the growth for the body, the church. What are the joints and ligaments of the body? God supplies them also, the body is held together by them and nourished through them. I believe these are the pastors, teachers leaders, and messages from the apostles. The fellowship of the believers may also be part of the joints and ligaments.

Col. 2:4-7 - Don't Fall Prey to False Teaching

Warning against false teaching

Paul sets up several warnings to the church at Colossae in this chapter. The previous chapter was about the supremacy of Christ. The theme of chapter two is warnings about being drawn away from Christ. Paul is addressing the problem - falling away from Christ alone. The warnings come in verses 4, 8, 16, 18, 20 & 23.

1. I say this... no one may delude you (v.4)
2. See to it... no one takes you captive (v. 8)
3. Let no one act as your judge... (v. 16)
4. Let no one keep defrauding you... (v. 18)
5. Why... do you submit yourselves (v. 20)
6. Beware man made religions (v. 23)

Each of these warnings is followed by an explanation or exhortation to keep them on track.

Vs. 4 - I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument.

“so that no one will delude you ”- Here is another reason for the writing of this letter -- to undergird and build up the faith of the believers. There are several warnings in this letter - see 2:4; 2:8; 2:16; 2:18; 2:20; 2:23 - these false, substitute actions contain seemingly wise instruction. All of them draw us away from the center of our salvation - Christ alone, crucified and resurrected.

Be aware, be on the lookout for these false doctrines. This is the First Warning - BOLO - “Don’t be deluded.” False doctrines kill. True faith saves. All too often good people are led astray by false teachers. Even more so before there were scriptures to hold up as the standard for all doctrine.
If the believer does not spend time in the Word he is even more easily led astray. If someone takes the teacher's words at face value, without checking it against the Bible, the person can be led astray. God does not want us to check our minds at the door. He wants us to use our intellect to reason out and understand our faith. This is so we can explain it to others; so we can make a rational reasoned defense of our belief. (See: 1 Pet. 3:15)
There are people who will use Logic and Reason alone to rationalize their paradigm, without Christ or the gospel. They will use persuasive argument to defend their position. Without Christ their faith will inevitably go astray, taking others with them. See: Rom. 16:18; 1 Tim. 4:1-2; 2 Pet. 3:3-4, 2:2-3; Matt. 24:4,5; Eph. 5:6; 2 Thess. 2:3. Going astray does not usually happen with one quantum leap, but bit-by-bit, tiny error by tiny error. I have read that people who are lost in the woods or wilderness usually wander in circles. Because they do not establish a reference point, do not use a compass or follow a map they remain lost. The Bible is our map and reference point.

Verses 2 & 3 are the antidotes for the failure in verse 4. Go back and read verses 2 & 3 again. What persuasive argument could possibly top all the wealth of knowledge and understanding that resides in Christ Jesus our Lord? Nothing, none, nada.

Vs. 5 - For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ.

“I am with you in spirit” - Paul wants them to know that they are in his thoughts and prayers even though he is not with them physically.

“Good discipline and the stability...” - He is glad to see that their spiritual lives are well ordered and they are solid in their faith in Christ. They do not take flights of fancy. They base their faith on the truth of the gospel as taught by the Apostles. Their strength is based on the foundation, or the stability of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, God Incarnate.

Vs. 6 - Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,

“Therefore” - Other versions say "Just as...", or in the same way you have received the Lord (Christ Jesus).
O.K., just how do we receive Christ Jesus the Lord? The answer is faith. See Rom. 10:9-10, and others. There is no other way to accept the Lord mentioned in the scriptures.
There are denominations which have a list of things you must do to be saved. This thinking must be extended to its logical conclusion. If we must be baptized to fully accept Christ and His work for us (otherwise you are not saved), then there is many other things we must do before it can be said we have fully accepted Christ! What if we miss just one, or fail in just one? Ultimate failure! If salvation = faith + baptism, it must also equal faith + baptism + witnessing + etc., + etc., which is an untenable position. No! Salvation must be by faith unto faith. (Eph. 2:8,9) All the other things listed are manifestations of your faith and salvation. The illustration of a written contract is not valid here. God already knows the heart, so a written (or acted out) contract is unnecessary. See: Gal. 3:26, For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith. Tit. 3:5,6.

"so walk in Him." - That is, by faith. We are new people created for good works, fashioned per God's will to please Him by our actions (see Eph. 2:10). But, it is impossible to please God except by faith (See: Heb. 11:6). In other words, the day-by-day Christian life (walk) is not to be a struggle, but a victorious walk in faith in the Lord. Does that seem impossible? Does a ‘victorious walk’ sound like something a preacher talks about, but is impossible to attain? This is the life that Jesus has envisioned for each of us - He would not have offered it if it was not possible to have. (John 10:10). We can live controlled and empowered by the Holy Spirit. All the wealth and power of God is available to us. “Help me, Jesus. Please,” may be the most powerful prayer you can utter.

Vs. 7 - having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.

- In verse 5 Paul was pleased to see their stable faith in Christ.
In verse 6 he tells them to walk (live their lives) in Christ as they have received Him by faith.
In verse 7 Paul tells them (as a continuation of the sentence started in verse 6) they have been instructed, so they were to be established in their faith, built up in Him. They should not be wandering around in a wilderness, so to speak. They are not lost, because they had received sufficient instructions and training to live successfully. Back in chapter 1:22-23 - they were also encouraged to remain in the faith. This seems to be a major theme of this letter - faith in Christ. Christ is supreme. His power is supreme, and it is yours.

"Rooted" - literally to take root, as does a plant, or tree, to draw nourishment from the ground. We are to take root in Christ, to draw our spiritual nourishment from Him.

"Built up" - to grow thereby. To get established, stronger, fortified - as you build up walls of a fortress - bigger, better. As we draw nourishment from our roots in Christ we can grow spiritually.

"Established by your faith" - established means to 'set as in a permanent basis'. In other words by operating in our faith we are permanently fixed in Christ, and receive our life and growth from Him. What a beautiful picture Paul paints - as a tree becomes rooted, draws food from the ground and become a permanent fixture, we too, in Christ.

"Overflowing with gratitude" - openly praising God for our wonderful salvation in Christ - note: 'acts of gratitude toward God.'

Col. 2:1-3 - That All May Know Christ

True Wealth in Christ

Vs. 1 - For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face

- Knowing how humble Paul felt about his salvation (1 Tim. 1:15-16), it always stops me a little when I read a portion of scripture when he brags. Paul was letting them know he was working really hard for them. Paul may have been referring to the spiritual struggle he had, praying and worrying about these believers.

"on your behalf" - refers to the saints and faithful brethren at Colossae. This letter is intended to start with that church, butnthen passed on to he other churches in the region. These are the people he is addressing: (1) the saints at Colossae; (2) the saints in Laodicea; (3) and the saints in both places who have accepted Christ and are in these churches, but who have not personally met Paul. This latter group is probably 2nd or 3rd generation Christians as a result of the witnessing of the believers in these cities. Paul did not start the church in Colossae, perhaps Epaphras did (see Col.1:7). Paul may have started the church in Laodicea, although Acts does not indicate Paul was there. He did pass through the area. Some think the church may have been started by either Mark, Timothy, or Epaphras.

Vs. 2 - that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God's mystery, that is, Christ Himself,

“that their hearts may be encouraged” - Paul is telling them he is working for them so they might be encouraged in the telling. People need encouragement. They need to know they are not by themselves, not working alone. Not only was the letter to encourage, but to help them to see they have a common bond of love which could draw them closer together - a unity of believers.

This long run-on sentence can be broken down thusly: He worked hard to encourage them. The encouragement is to build their love for each other and their growing knowledge and understanding of Jesus Christ. (Now there are lots of adjective and adverb descriptors thrown in, but that is the sentence - boiled down.)

"wealth... full understanding" - If a Christian does not know or understand his spiritual heritage, there is no way he can hope to grasp or realize the abundant Christian life. A full and true realization of what "Christ in you" means - brings to bear a change in the way of living, brings a freedom, a joy of assurance that can be had in no other way.
The 'wealth' is the 'riches of this glory'. The glory is Christ’s - He earned it, we share in it. The riches are Christ’s, because He is God and the whole universe is His; the unstoppable infinite love is His. Jesus Christ is the person about whom God the Father said, “This is My Son, in Whom I am well pleased.” We are Christ's, and everything that is His, is ours. We are joint heirs with Christ - it boggles the mind to try to imagine all that is available to us.

“resulting in a true knowledge“ - the letter is written to encourage, to bring together in love, and to provide a full understanding - these things will enable the readers to come to an intimate, intuitive, personal knowledge of Christ Himself. See: Matt 13:11, 19:11, 20:23; John 6:65; 1 Cor. 2:10; 1 John 2:20, 27.
There is no way we will be sucked into false doctrines and practices when we understand the knowledge and power available in us. (Perhaps we don't even need to fully understand - we can grow into that.) That power is from God Himself through His Son who indwells us.
A 'true knowledge' or as in KJV 'acknowledgement' - means complete and full recognition or discernment. Look at the assuring words in this sentence: all the wealth; full assurance (because we have understanding); true knowledge. This not a half-baked effort from God.
See also: Mark 7:6-8. Jesus talking here in response to an accusation by the Pharisees against the disciples. He accuses 5hem of following man’s rules than following God.

Vs. 3 - in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

See: Rom. 11:33; Isa. 11:2; Eph. 3:8,10; Prov. 3:19; 1 Cor. 1:25. Everything that God the Father knows, Christ knows. See: John 8:55, 5:19,20. The information is not secret (because of the word 'hidden'), but being kept safe, waiting for us to access it. Some will be way beyond our ken, but it is still there. As we grow in our faith, and in our living by the power of the Holy Spirit the wisdom and knowledge will be revealed. See Prov. 4:6-8.

Updated 10/22/17.

Col. 1:28-29 - Gospel proclaimed

Vs. 28 - We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ.

- Paul's call as an apostle was to preach Christ (1 Cor. 1:17; 1 Cor. 2:2-4). Everyone was to be told.

"admonish" means to "bring to mind", to gently warn or reprove. So that all may know Christ. Paul here is speaking of discipleship. Christians must be taught, led into wisdom.

“Every man complete in Christ” - The purpose of the teaching is to present a matured "perfected", completed Christian. See notes for verses 1:22, 23.

Vs. 29 - For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.

- For the very reason that Paul desired to see every Christian perfected was the motivation for Paul's constant striving. Note that it is by God's power that the work is done, not by his own self-effort. See John 15:5, Eph. 1:19b, 20, 4:13.

Col. 1:24-27 - A Mystery Revealed

The church is a mystery revealed

Vs. 24 - Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions.

"rejoice in my sufferings" - Paul counted it as a blessing to be persecuted as Christ was persecuted. (See also: Phil. 2:17, 3:10; 2 Cor. 4:17, 12:15, 1:5; Rom. 8:17-18; 1 Pet. 4:13; John 15:20).
Suffering and martyrdom here in the flesh, for Christ's sake (Matt. 5:11, 12) is building up rewards in Christ's kingdom. See also, Matt. 10:22-28 - And you will be hated by everyone because of my name...

“His body... the church” - This is one of the several metaphors regarding the church. This has an important implication. In one instance Jesus said, “If you have done it to the least of these...”, (Matt. 25:34-46) refering to caring for the needy. God cares for the helpless and expects us to care the same. Where I am going with this: Jesus cares for the helpless, even non-believers; do you think He cares what happens to His family, his children? Of course he does! When it happens to us, it happens to Jesus personally! It is His body that is suffering. It is His body that is feeling the pain. None of the persecution goes unnoticed. It is personal to Jesus! Think of the accounting, think of the punishment, the retribution that will come to those who persecute the church! Nothing can be hidden from God; “but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.“ (Give and account for our actions.) (Heb. 4:12, 13) God knows what we go through in His name. There will be rewards and punishment meted out. We do not suffer in vain. We do not commit any action; we do not suffer any persecution, without it being held in account. Praise God, for His power and love.

"Filling up that which is lacking in Christ's afflictions" - This definitely does NOT mean that Christ's sacrifice was imperfect, or incomplete with respect to redemption or reconciliation, propitiation. Christ's death on the cross completely redeemed all who believe in Him (see: Heb. 9:11-14, 7:25; Rom. 5:18). Christ's church is to be a suffering church. Otherwise the potential is high for it to become complacent, self-satisfied. One way for the church to grow is to suffer persecution, and become strong because it must rely on Him for strength and survival. To spread across the world, there may be sacrifice, maybe even suffering (see: Matt. 10:22-25).
Part of this 'filling up' of Christ's suffering is Satan making us suffer since he no longer can get at Christ.

Vs. 25 - Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God,

- Paul was was made (called) an apostle, an evangelist, for the benefit of those who received the message of Christ. Note: saved to serve (see also: 1 Cor. 9:17; Gal. 2:7; 1 Thess. 2:4; 1 Tim. 1:11; Tit. 1:3). Paul realized he was saved for one purpose: to take the gospel to the Gentiles. I think in the Old Testament it was prophesied that people who were once estranged would be called 'my people' - will have to find that.

Vs. 26 - That is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints,

- 'Mystery': The word of God is the good news of Christ which is a spiritual truth hidden from our predecessors (therefore, a mystery), but revealed to us. In the NT, mysteries are almost always revealed - mainly about Christ, and His atoning work for all peoples, whether Jew or Gentile. Some mysteries are yet to be revealed, such as exactly what will happen in the end times, and when the end times will happen.
The good news does not just happen to us, but in us. God also blesses the world through believers, in that, the message of salvation in Christ is delivered to the world through us. God revealed Himself, and salvation to the world. But only those who believe in Jesus grasp the import of the message. His salvation is demonstrated in our lives - 'made manifest' - not a one-time event, but an ongoing growth and life.

The Riches of Christ for All!

Vs. 27 - to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

- God decided to let everyone know, Jew and Gentile, just how magnificent the mystery really was, and is. And the true richness of the mystery, the real glory is Christ Himself, who lives inside us. That is Christianity: Christ in us. Christ alone is the hope of glory. (See: 1 Tim. 1:1, and esp. 1 Cor. 15:19). During the dispensation of the Law, God seemingly operated outside of man, or above and remote. He came to act, and do things to and for the Jews, but He didn't seem to be so personally involved (perhaps that was said inelegantly). But Christ came to earth, lived, and dies for our sins. When we accept Him as Lord and savior, He now lives in us.

That is a new spiritual phenomenon. Rarely in the OT did God's spirit live in a person. The Holy Spirit came upon the craftsmen for the tabernacle, some of the judges. But the general mass of believers were not inhabited by the Holy Spirit. That is the 'mystery' - the new thing not seen before (reminds me of the exclamation of Secretariat's groom when Secretariat recovered from the abcess, "You're gonna see something you ain't never seen before!")

"among the Gentiles" - For a while, it seemed the new faith, Christianity, was for the Jews only. Paul and Barnabas were called by Jesus to take the message of salvation to Gentiles. For the Jews this is a big (BIG) step. That anyone else other than Jews were to be the recipients of God's grace was staggering to the Jews. In the typical Jewish orthodoxy Gentiles get nothing. That the salvation message could go directly to the Gentiles was somewhat shocking.
Big conferences were held in the early church, and it was resolved - we Gentiles can be saved!
Note: the meetings were held to figure what God wanted. The decision was not Paul's, nor Peter's, nor James' - it was God's will. God always knew that Gentiles were to benefit - we didn't. Another mystery! God did not reveal this way back when. He revealed it 'now' - to Paul, Barnabas, Peter, the leaders of the church in Jerusalem.

Updated 10/16/17.