Dear Family:
I suppose if someone were to conduct a survey of people across the continent as to what they feel is the most important truth which all the peoples of world should know, the answer would be as diverse as the World Book Encyclopedia. But what should we consider as we seek to answer that question. Would it be science, social issues, economics, the environment or the arts? What would be most important for the world to know? Ask the educator, "What is the most important thing your students should learn"? Is it reading, writing and arithmetic? What is it? Is it history or perhaps the art of learning? What about technology? Should it be the spirit of invention or discovery? What is it? If today were the last day you had on this earth what would you want those close to you to know that you think would be the most important and lasting truth you could give them? If today were your last what would be the thing you would most want to know? What would be the thing you would want to take with you to the grave? What is the answer? Is there one answer? Or is the answer beyond our comprehension? Is it too comprehensive, too diverse for us to consider?
As I contemplate the question I had to consider Paul's words to the church at Colosse.
Colossians 1:25-2:13
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;
26) Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
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:
28) Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
29) Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
It is hard for me to begin to express all that is contained in the few words of these verses. Paul has used his skills in language to pack tremendous and powerful messages in each word and phrase. Even in the person and tenses of specific words. An example is the choice of the word "whereof". This choice includes a broad interpretation and includes all that is defined in the translation as found in Strong's Hebrew & Greek dictionary;
"hos (hos); including feminine he (hay); and neuter ho (ho); probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article 3588); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that: KJV-- one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who (-m, -se), etc. See also 3757.
3588 ho (ho); including the feminine he (hay); and the neuter to (to); in all their inflections; the def. article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom): KJV-- the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.. ***. ho. See 3739.
3739 hos (hos); including feminine he (hay); and neuter ho (ho); probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article 3588); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that: KJV-- one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who (-m, -se), etc. See also 3757. 3757 hou (hoo); genitive case of 3739 as adverb; at which place, i.e. where: KJV-- where (-in), whither ([-soever]).
The inclusiveness of this word demonstrates God's working through Paul to prepare this statement for all future generation and languages. Another choice would have rendered a translation not used in English idiom. Bear in mind this was written before the English language came into existence. Virtually every word is similarly chosen to accomplish the purpose of pointing out the truth contained in these words. The next word is just as powerful. Paul chose the words "am made" which is virtually impossible to translate because the English language does not have a form of the (is) or (be) verbs which transcends time. So ginomai was used by the translators to express his meaning even though it is not adequate to accomplish the meaning.
1096 ginomai (ghin'-om-ahee); a prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be ("gen"- erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.): KJV-- arise, be assembled, be (-come, -fall, -haveself), be brought (to pass), (be) come (to pass), continue, be divided, draw, be ended, fall, be finished, follow, be found, be fulfilled, + God forbid, grow, happen, have, be kept, be made, be married, be ordained to be, partake, pass, be performed, be published, require, seem, be showed, X soon as it was, sound, be taken, be turned, use, wax, will, would, be wrought.
We translate it to a (to be) but cannot express in a single word what was being said here anymore than we can when God said to Moses in Exodus 3:14 ", I AM THAT I AM:" or when Christ said in John 8:58, "Before Abraham was, I am". We simply do not have a to be verb which is past, present and future tenses all in one word. So we assign the definition or translation of ginomai- the closest translatable to it.
1) to become, that is, to come into existence, to begin to be, to receive being
2) to become, that is, to come to pass, to happen;
used of events
3) to arise, to appear in history, to come upon the stage;
used of men appearing in public
4) to be made, to be finished;
used of miracles, to be performed, to be wrought
5) to become, to be made
Paul used "am made" to transcend time, meaning, God created Paul for this purpose, in this time, at the time, when God created the universe. He further illustrates this with his choice of these words, "according to (the dispensation) of God (which is given) to me for you". Once again in the use of "is", is transcends time. Equally, are all the words in this one statement! According and dispensation are far reaching but with the blessing at the end, "you". God in his love and wisdom conceived this statement, by this man, at this time in history, for you. He had you on his mind when He created the universe. If that doesn't give you chills and/or thrills you had better call your Dr. or Undertaker.
Now just go back and read those verses again and then read the following with the same attention to the choice of words as they have been translated and you will see how powerful these words are.
Paul used the word minister which is to say, "I have been made a steward (care taker) of this message to you on Gods behalf". "I am responsible for you to receive this message." "I have been made a dispenser of this truth to you". It is as if Paul has been given a message for the world and He is responsible to see that this message is given and well received by the world but just as important he uses the words to make it deeply personal to you and deeply personal to the entire world for all time. The purpose is to fulfill Gods word. Now just what is it that Paul is supposed to give us? It is "Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:" God is presenting to the churches "the Mystery" which has been hidden in the past but is now made understandable to his saints. Now I know what you are thinking. That word saint is not referring to Peter, James and John. It is referring to all who have chosen to become a follower of Christ. This word " hagios (hag'-ee-os); from hagos (an awful thing) [compare 53, 2282]; sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated): KJV-- (most) holy (one, thing), saint means we are pure and spotless but only because of what Christ did and not what we have done. I am a Saint not because I'm perfect or even half way acceptable to God on my own effort. Only by God's grace has He applied to me the sacrifice made by Christ on my behalf. Therefore, when He looks at me he sees me but not my sin. He sees me as cleaned by Christ's blood. Does that mean there is no accountability on my part? Absolutely not! But that is another session not to be addressed here. So the saints referred to here are all those who have come under the blood of Christ. Those who have asked God to give them the new birth and have by faith accepted it.
Now what is this important truth? It is found in verse 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:" That it! Christ in you!
Think with me for just a moment. This almighty God, Creator of the universe at the time of creation did it all for me. Think of it. God created all of this that we see and know, all this that exists, all of history just for me, just for you. He made it personally and individually for me and personally and individually for you. I'm totally humbled by that. He wants me to get as personal with him as he has tried to get with me. He planned "this moment" with you there where you are now thousands and perhaps even millions of years ago just for this moment with you. Now what are you going to do with this moment?
CHAPTER 2
1) For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;
2) That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
3) In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
4) And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.
5) For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.
6) As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
7) Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
8) Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
9) For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
10) And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
11) In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
12) Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
13) And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; (KJV)
As you read and meditate on these words know that while I will end here, I will come back to these verses in another session.
Love Ya and may Christ be in you,
Dad, Dad2, Mr. T and Chuck.
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