I hope you can imagine the eagerness with which the Colossians received this letter and the scene when it was read for the first time ever in worship.
I imagine that when the minister reached verse 26 and used the word “mystery” many of the listeners suddenly leaned forward, mystery (or musterion in the Greek) was a word that they would have been familiar with. In Greek society it usually referred to secret teachings and ceremonies that were hidden from ordinary people but revealed to exclusive groups.
So when Paul mentioned “Mystery” many no doubt were thinking, “ah finally the Apostle Paul is going to teach us HIS secret teaching.” And he says this is a mystery that has been hidden throughout the ages, and has now been revealed, and that because of it, the saints, that is the hagioi the set-apart ones, the holy ones of God, those called out of the world and joined to Christ, are going to inherit the riches of God’s glory!
What is the answer to the mystery? Is it an angelic language, a secret diet, a second blessing, the number 42? Should we lock the doors? Cover the windows? Surely we don’t want everyone to know, so they all lean in. And here is the mystery, the key to eternal life and God’s riches, the answer to life, the universe, and everything: Christ in you, the hope of glory!
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I was converted out of paganism and the occult in 1993 and while I was initially Charismatic/Arminian in my theology, I became Reformed and Presbyterian through bible study and the influence of ministries like Ligonier. After teaching in local bible studies, and taking seminary...
