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the structure of the epistle to the Colossians as a whole. A slight correction of this
structure is necessary under letter "D", where 1: 23-27 should read 1: 23-28, so as to
include the opening words of verse 28 in the member. When writing the epistle to the
Ephesians the apostle declared that the mystery had been made known to him by
revelation, and subsequently that it had been made known by him, in the first instance, as
the only appointed channel:--
"If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to
you-ward: How that by revelation He made know unto me the mystery" (Eph. 3: 2, 3).
"Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should
preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; and to make all men see
what is the dispensation (R.V.) of the mystery, which since the ages hath been hidden in
God Who created all things (ta panta) by Jesus Christ" (Eph. 3: 8, 9).
The two items brought forward here in Eph. 3: are repeated in Colossians. This will
be shown by reference to the structure of the epistle as a whole already alluded to
(Volume XX, page 57), under members D and D where we find:--
D | 1: 23-28. The mystery manifested by God.
D | 4: 2-11. The mystery manifested by Paul.
We are, therefore, about to receive a further presentation of this most important
feature in Paul's ministry.
We must now turn our attention to the passage immediately before us, and, in the first
place, in order that its most important features shall be thrown into prominence, seek to
discover its literary structure. We set this out as follows:--
Colossians 1: 23-28.
A | 1: 23. THE HOPE OF THE GOSPEL.
a | Which was preached.
b | In all creation.
B | 1: 23-26. THE MINISTER.
c | I became a minister.
d | Sufferings for you.
e | Fill up afflictions of Christ.
f | The body, the church.
c | I became a minister.
d | Stewardship for you.
e | Fill up the Word of God.
f | The mystery.
B | 1: 26. THE MYSTERY.
g | Hidden.
h | From ages and generations.
g | Manifested.
h | To saints.
A | 1: 27, 28. THE HOPE OF THE GLORY.
b | In you.
a | Whom we preach.