Colossians / Question
Colossians says the mystery hidden for ages has now been revealed to God’s saints Colossians 1:26. It summarizes the mystery as "Christ in you, the hope of glory" Colossians 1:27.
In Colossians 1:24–29 Paul explains what his ministry is for and why it costs him so much. He can even “rejoice” while suffering because it serves the Colossian believers and benefits the wider community that belongs to Christ. Just before this, Paul has described the greatness of Christ and the reconciling work associated with him, then urged the Colossians to continue steadily rather than shifting away (Colossians 1:15–23). This section turns from what God has done to how Paul serves that message.
Paul presents his ministry as costly, deliberate work. His suffering is not random; he says it serves the good of Christ’s people (verse 24). He also describes his role as assigned by God: a “stewardship” directed toward the Colossians, with the aim of bringing God’s message to its intended public fullness (verse 25).
A careful answer keeps the immediate passage, the book's argument, and the whole-Bible storyline together, so the question is answered in context instead of as a detached idea.
Start with Colossians 1:26, then read the surrounding section so the answer stays connected to the passage's flow.
26the mystery which has been hidden for ages and generations. But now it has been revealed to his saints,