Colossians 1:27-29 — Every man

²⁷ To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

²⁸ Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

²⁹ To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.

Him (v.28) — Paul preached the person of Christ Jesus, not a religious system

we (v.28 — 1st usage) — emphatic — perhaps to distinguish himself from the Gnostics

warning (v.28) — about things that are wrong and untrue

teaching (v.28) — about things that are true

every man (v.28 — 3x) — Again, to distinguish himself from the Gnostics who believed the truth was available only to a select few.

perfect (v.28) — mature, complete (Colossians 2:10)

labor (v.29) = wearisome toil — from the same root as “agonize”

working (v.29) = energy

In Colossians 1:27-28, speaking of “this Mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you the hope of glory,” he says, “Whom we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom THAT WE MAY PRESENT EVERY MAN PERFECT [FULL GROWN] IN CHRIST JESUS.”

Note that the long hidden purpose of God, called the “Mystery,” here in Colossians 1:27, centers wholly in Christ. ALL is Christ. Verse 27, “This Mystery among the Gentiles; which is CHRIST in you, the hope of glory.” Verse 28, “HIM WE PREACH … that we may present every man perfect IN CHRIST.” It is no mere coincidence that the very epistles which deal with the Mystery are filled with such expressions as “in Christ,” “in Him,” in Whom,” “With Christ,” “By Christ,” “With Him,” “By Him.” ALL is Christ, and today you are either “Complete in Him” or completely outside of Him. — Stam, page 114.

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Notice a significant phrase in this portion of Colossians: “The full assurance of understanding.”

It is wonderful to have the “full assurance of faith” (Hebrews 10:22).

It is more wonderful to have the “full assurance of hope” (Hebrews 6:11).

It is most wonderful to have the “full assurance of understanding” (Colossians 2:2).

This goes with “the acknowledgment [Gr. epignosis, full knowledge] of the Mystery.” When men are established in this truth they are no longer “children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine.” They have an intelligent understanding of “[God’s] own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.” They have the full assurance of faith, which comes with spiritual maturity.

We quote again Colossians 2:2-3: “That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the Mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

The Mystery among the Gentiles is — Christ. The Mystery of God is — Christ. It is not the world being blessed through Israel, Abraham’s seed; but the world being blessed through Christ, though Israel had failed.

It is not the message of Acts 2:36-39 and Acts 3:18-26, but the message of Romans 11:25, 32 and Ephesians 2:16. — Stam, pages 116-117.