Colossians 1:26

even the mystery which hath been hid for ages and generations: but now hath it been manifested to his saints,

'EVEN THE' -The word of God, the gospel Paul preached, that the Colossians had already heard, reveals the very mystery of God.

'MYSTERY' -

Points to Note:

1. In Scripture the word "mystery" doesn't mean the "mysterious". Rather it refers to something previously hidden, but now revealed. Note the language here, 'which had been hid..but now hath it been manifested.' (Compare Ephesians 3:3)

2. Note the contrast: The false teaching which became known as Gnosticism, claimed that certain mysteries could only be learned by the initiated or elite. Erdman writes, 'It denotes, not something which men are hiding from their fellowmen, but something which could never have been know by men had it not been for. divine revelation... It is not something which is hard to be understood, or which must be kept secret. but. reality which God has revealed so that it may be proclaimed to all the world.' (p. 64) This 'mystery' is manifested (through the apostles preaching- 1 Corinthians 2:6), to his saints, i.e. all Christians.

3. Various particulars concerning God's plan to redeem mankind had remained undisclosed in past generations (1 Corinthians 2:6 ff; Ephesians 3:3; 1 Peter 1:10).

'HID FOR AGES AND GENERATIONS' -Unaided human wisdom would have never discovered God's plan. Hence, without the Bible, man is blind concerning many important truths (Jeremiah 2:23). This should also remind us concerning what. privileged time and generation we live in. We have the complete revelation, we can see God's plan completely unfolded in all its glory and wisdom.

'MANIFESTED' -5319. phaneroo fan-er-o'-o; from 5318; to render apparent (literally or figuratively): -appear, manifestly declare, (make) manifest (forth), shew (self).

Through the apostles Jesus promised the revelation of all truth (John 16:13). We must conclude, if the Book of Mormon, Science and Health Key To The Scriptures and other so-called inspired writings have any merit, then we must also conclude that Christians in the First Century didn't have God's complete disclosure of truth. Any document claiming inspiration following the day and age of the apostles must either be rejected or we must conclude that Jesus didn't deliver.

'TO HIS SAINTS' -Including those at Colossae. Hence, Paul is telling the Colossians, 'Don't let anyone come along and deceive you into thinking that you don't have the full truth in the gospel that you have heard. The Gospel is God's revealed mystery. And you have already heard it!'