QT 26/09/2025 Fri. Colossians 1:24–29 Christ in You, the Hope of Glory 基督在你们里面，就是荣耀的盼望

QT 26/09/2025 Fri. Colossians 1:24–29 Christ in You, the Hope of Glory
READ http://www.esv.org/col1:24-29

Scripture: Colossians 1:24–29

[24] Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, [25] of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, [26] the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. [27] To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. [28] Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. [29] For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. (ESV)

Reflection:

(1) Rejoicing in Suffering (v.24)
Paul opens this passage with a startling statement: “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake…”

This isn’t mere stoicism (not the Greek philosophy relating to reliance on self-control, rational thinking and inner strength to override emotion and accept things you can’t control). Paul doesn’t just endure suffering—he rejoices in it. Why? Because his suffering has eternal purpose: it serves the church, the Body of Christ.

Paul is not saying Christ’s atonement was incomplete, but that his suffering is part of Christ’s ongoing mission through His people. We, the church, continue Christ’s work—not to add to His saving work—but to spread it. Paul invites us into a deeper understanding of ministry:

Faithful service often involves suffering, but it is suffering with joy because it brings spiritual blessing to others.

(2) Stewardship of the Gospel (v.25-26)

Paul saw himself as a steward—a manager entrusted with a divine responsibility: “to make the word of God fully known.”

The “mystery hidden for ages” has now been revealed. This mystery is not a puzzle to solve but a truth once hidden, now made clear: the gospel, fulfilled in Christ and extended to all, including the Gentiles.

This is the mission of the church: to proclaim the fullness of God’s Word, not just part of it, and to ensure that the gospel is not hidden, but heralded—from pulpits, in homes, at workplaces, and across nations.

(3) Christ in You, the Hope of Glory (v.27)

Here is the climax of Paul’s message—the great mystery now revealed: “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

The gospel is not just about forgiveness of sins or entrance into heaven—as glorious as those are. It is about union with Christ. Through the Holy Spirit, Christ dwells in us, shaping us, strengthening us, and assuring us that glory is our certain future.

The Christian hope isn’t wishful thinking; it’s Christ Himself—in you, now, and glory, assured. This transforms how we live:

We’re not alone. We’re not powerless. We’re not lost. We are people indwelt by the risen Christ, with a future anchored in glory.

(4) Proclaiming, Warning, Teaching, Maturing (v.28)

Paul’s ministry had a clear focus:

“Him we proclaim…”
“…warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom…”
“…that we may present everyone mature in Christ.”

The goal isn’t just conversion—it’s maturity. Paul wasn’t content with people making a profession of faith; he wanted to see them grow, to become like Christ in character, conviction, and conduct. This verse offers a pattern for us:

Proclaim Christ—not just ideas about Him.

Warn —not out of fear, but out of love for souls in danger.

Teach —grounded in the wisdom of the Word.

Aim for maturity —not just knowledge, but Christlikeness.

(5) Power to Persevere (v.29)

Paul ends this section with a powerful testimony: “For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.”

Paul’s ministry was exhausting—toil and struggle—but it wasn’t fueled by his own strength. The energy came from Christ Himself. The Spirit of God was working in Paul as Paul worked for Christ. This is a great encouragement: The work is hard, but you are not alone in the work. God supplies the strength for what He calls you to do.

Personal Reflection

(1) Am I rejoicing in my suffering—or resenting it?

(2) Am I stewarding the gospel—or sitting on it?

(3) Do I live with the reality that Christ is in me?

(4) Is my life marked by proclamation, warning, and teaching others toward maturity?

(5) Am I depending on His power, or burning out in my own?

Closing Prayer
Dear LORD, thank You for the mystery now revealed—Christ in us, the hope of glory. Help us to rejoice even in suffering, knowing it serves a purpose in Your Body, the Church. Make us faithful stewards of Your Word, bold in proclamation, wise in teaching, and passionate to see others mature in You. Strengthen us with Your power as we toil for Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

QT 26/09/2025 星期五. 歌罗西书 1:24–29 基督在你们里面，就是荣耀的盼望
阅读 http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/col/1/

经文：歌罗西书 1:24–29

24现在我为你们受苦，我觉得喜乐；为了基督的身体，就是为了教会，我要在自己的肉身上，补满基督苦难的不足。25 我照着　神为你们而赐给我的管家职分，作了教会的仆役，要把　神的道，就是历世历代隐藏的奥秘，传得完备。现在这奥秘已经向他的众圣徒显明了。27 神愿意使他们知道这奥秘在外族人中有多么荣耀的丰盛，这奥秘就是基督在你们里面成了荣耀的盼望。28 我们传扬他，是用各样的智慧，劝戒各人，教导各人，为了要使各人在基督里得到完全。29 我也为了这事劳苦，按着他用大能在我心中运行的动力，竭力奋斗。

默想：

(1) 在苦难中喜乐（第24节）
保罗以惊人的宣告开启这段经文：“现在我为你们受苦，我觉得喜乐...”

这并非单纯的斯多葛主义（指希腊哲学中依靠自我控制、理性思考和内在力量来压制情感、接受无法掌控之事的哲学）。保罗不仅忍受苦难——他更在苦难中欢欣。为何？因他的苦难具有永恒意义：它服事教会，即基督的身体。

保罗并非说基督的救赎不完整，而是指出他的受苦是基督借着祂子民持续使命的一部分。我们教会延续基督的事工——并非增添救赎之工，而是传扬救恩。保罗邀请我们深入领悟事奉真谛：忠心事奉常伴随苦难，但这是带着喜乐的受苦，因它为他人带来属灵的祝福。

(2) 福音的管家职分（25-26节）

保罗视自己为管家——肩负神圣使命的管家：“使神的道得以完全传扬”。

“历世历代隐藏的奥秘”如今已显明。这奥秘并非待解之谜，而是曾被隐藏、如今昭然若揭的真理：在基督里成就并传给万民——包括外邦人的福音。

这正是教会的使命：宣扬神话语的丰盛，而非片段；确保福音不再隐藏，而是在讲台、家庭、职场及万国之间被高声宣告。

(3) 基督在你们里面成了荣耀的盼望（27节）

此处是保罗信息的高潮——那伟大的奥秘如今已揭示：“基督在你们心里，就是荣耀的盼望。”

福音不仅关乎罪得赦免或进入天堂——尽管这些已然荣耀无比。它更关乎与基督的联合。借着圣灵，基督住在我们里面，塑造我们、坚固我们，并确证荣耀是我们必然的未来。

基督徒的盼望并非一厢情愿的幻想，而是基督自己——此刻在你里面，荣耀中确然存在。这改变了我们的生活方式：我们不再孤单。我们不再软弱。我们不再迷失。我们是被复活基督内住的人，未来在荣耀中稳固。

(4) 宣讲、劝诫、教导、成熟（第28节）

保罗事工的核心目标清晰可见：

“我们传扬祂……”
“……用各样的智慧，劝戒各人，教导各人……”
“……为要使我们在基督里得到完全。”

目标不仅是决志信主——更是成熟。保罗不满足于人们口头承认信仰，他渴望看见他们成长，在品格、信念和行为上效法基督。这节经文为我们提供了范式：

传扬基督——而非仅仅关于祂的理念。

劝戒——不是出于恐惧，而是出于对危难中灵魂的爱。

教导——根基在圣言的智慧上

追求成熟——不仅是知识，更是效法基督

(5) 持守的力量（第29节）

保罗以强有力的见证结束本段：“我也为了这事劳苦，按着他用大能在我心中运行的动力，竭力奋斗。”

保罗的事工令人精疲力竭——劳苦与争战——但这力量并非源于他自身。这能力来自基督自己。当保罗为基督劳苦时，神的灵也在他里面运行。这是何等大的鼓励：工作虽艰辛，但你并非孤军奋战。神必为你所蒙的呼召供应力量。

个人反思

(1) 我是在苦难中欢欣——还是怨天尤人？

(2) 我是在传扬福音——还是坐拥不传？

(3) 我是否活出基督在我里面的真实？

(4) 我的生命是否以宣告、警戒、教导他人走向成熟为印记？

(5) 我是否倚靠祂的大能——还是耗尽自己的力量？

结束祷告
亲爱的天父，感谢祢显明这奥秘——基督在我们里面，是荣耀的盼望。求祢帮助我们在患难中仍能欢喜，因深知这苦难在祢的身体教会里有其意义。使我们成为祢话语忠心的管家，传讲时刚强无畏，教导时智慧明辨，更热切盼望众人因祢得着成熟。当我们为祢的国度劳苦时，求祢以大能加给我们力量。奉耶稣的名求。阿们。