Colossians 1:25

whereof. was made. minister, according to the dispensation of God which was given me to you-ward, to fulfil the word of God,

'WHEREOF. WAS MADE. MINISTER' -'Of which' (Rhm). This reveals that the apostles were appointed to serve the needs of the body of Christ, i.e. of which body.

'ACCORDING TO THE DISPENSATION OF GOD WHICH WAS GIVEN ME TO YOU-WARD' -'in virtue of the office with which God entrusted me' (TCNT).

'DISPENSATION' -3622. oikonomia oy-kon-om-ee'-ah; from 3623; administration (of. household or estate); specifically,. (religious) "economy": -dispensation, stewardship.

-'is first house-management, then administration.' (P.P. Comm. p. 16) 'From..house..and..to dispense or manage. Hence..a house-steward.' (Vincent p. 478).

Points to Note:

1. The word "dispensation" doesn't refer to. period of time in the above passage, but rather to. stewardship. Paul was made to serve in God's house, the church (1 Timothy 3:15), because. stewardship in that house had been entrusted to him. In writing to the Colossians he was fulfilling his duties of being such. steward, i.e. he was teaching the truth, building up the body and opposing those in opposition.

2. This position was "given" Paul, i.e. he hadn't campaigned for it or earned it (Colossians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 15:9).

'TO YOU-WARD' -i.e. especially toward the Gentiles, for their benefit. (Acts 26:18; Ephesians 3:1; Ephesians 3:6).

'TO FULFIL THE WORD OF GOD' -'that. might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God.' (NASV); 'to fill full or to give full scope to the Word of God.' (Robertson p. 484)

Points to Note:

1. The primary purpose of the apostles (which even is the primary purpose of preachers), is to get the message out. To fully preach God's truth (2 Timothy 4:2; Acts 20:20; Acts 20:27 'For. did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God'; 2 Thessalonians 3:1). We can be. friendly church,. hospitable church, etc...But if we aren't an evangelizing church, then we aren't doing our job.

2. We must allow elders, preachers, teachers, etc...to fulfill their stewardship. (a) The house of God does need care and management. We cannot naively think that every member will just do what Christ tells them. (b) People need to be encouraged, admonished and rebuked (2 Timothy 4:2). (c) We must learn to appreciate church discipline, godly confrontation (Galatians 6:1; Matthew 18:15), and teaching that does expose error (Ephesians 5:11). For stewards are responsible for seeing that the house of God remains clean (1 Corinthians 5:6). (d) We must always remember that this house is God's house, it doesn't belong to the servants! We must keep it up according to God's standards and not what we are comfortable with.