The Pulpit Commentary — Colossians — Section 81

Vers. 24--29.-St. Paul's view ef his ministry. In these verses we have a compre- hensive view of the ministry of the apostle, which suggests truths respecting tlie nature, subject, and object of every ministry that claims to be apostolic in its spirit. lie teachts us the following truths : - . I. THAT ms JIIIKISTr.Y WAS A STEWARDSHIP OF THE WORD OF GOD. Twice we find the personal claim, " I;" "I Paul was made a minister." But far from the spil"it of egotism, we hear in these words the echo of such expressions of grateful huQJ.iHty as we find in 1 Cor. xv. 8-10; Eph. iii. 7, 8; 1 Tim. i. 12-14. For his ministry was, a "stewardship." He was entirely dependent for it on another. He went forth, not to. publish the thoughts excogitated in his own mind, but to "dollver" testimonies and doetrines which he had received (1 Cor. xv. 1-4). The "mysteries JI he had to dco.l with were not sacraments, but truths; and he was not a priest-, but a preacher "of tho gospel ... whereof I Paul was made a minister" (ver. 23). The stewardship was entrusted to him at his conversion (Acts xxvi 17, 18). From it he could not escape (1 Cor. iL 17). But he gloried in it (1 Cor. iv. 1, 2; Eph. iii. 8). Being a minister of Christ, he was a nrinister for the whole Church; "whereof," i.e. of which Church," I was made a minister." And as such he willingly recognized himself even as a bond- servant of the Church as well as of Christ (506?1.or) "for Jesuij' sake" (2 Cor. iv. 5; see also 1 Cor. ix. 19-23). His one aim was to be faithful," to fulfil the Word of God" (Rom. xv. 19; 2 Tim. iv. 17). II. '!'HAT THE Worm ENTRUSTED TO BTM WAB A MYSTERY. A mystery, according to St. Paul, i;; a truth which was once hidden but is now revealed. It is not discovered Ly men, but revealed to men. This applies: 1. 'l'o the whole gospel (Eph. vi. 20). \Vho could have discovered or even conceived God's" way of salvation"? It was a mystery of mercy. But it is now an open secret, revealed by Christ's own lips and through his apostles and committed to our trust (1 Tiw. i. 11; Jude 3). 2. 'fo the wccious truth that was especiaUy entrnsted to St. Paul as the apostle of the Gentiles (Eph. iii. 1-7). The admission of us Gentiles to all the blessings of the gospel on terms of perfect equality with the Jews was a truth which, in spite of such predictions as Gen. xi.:ii. 18; Isa. lvL, lL, etc., was "hid from all ages and generations," eve11 f:·om the apostles of Christ during his earthly life (Matt. x. 5; xv. 24). Defore his conversion P,LUl would have been shocked at it as a blasphemous heresy. But God hnd n,vcalecl l,is Son in him (Gal. L Hi, lG). • ill. 'l'IIAT THIS )[YSTEilY FOUND ITS SOLUTION rn CllllIST. 1. When in the fulnees of tirue God, transcending the hopes of the most i;anguine antieipanta of a glorious future, "sent forth his Son," "his unspeakable gift,'' it would have been unlike God tu confine so great a blessing to such a fraction of humanity as the Jews. 2. '!'ho appeariug of Christ was the greatest vindication of God's dealings with tho heathen nations which iu time past were suffered" to walk iu their own ways" (Acts xiv. lCi). 0. 'l'he al0:.,e11,cut of Cbri,t explained the forgiveness of sins amonJ Gc1,Lilcs as well u:; Jew:; iu all ages (Hom. iii. 2a, W). 4. The resurrection of Chrbt brought life and OH, I, 1-20,] 'l'HE EPISTLE 'l'O THE UOLOSSIANS.