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The mystery manifested by Paul (4: 2-11).
#15.
pp. 170 - 175
Reference to Volume XX, page 57, will show that the passage we have just
considered, Col. 1: 23-28, is balanced by Col. 4: 2-11 thus:--
D | 1: 23-28. The mystery manifested by God.
D | 4: 2-11. The mystery manifested by Paul.
There are one or two features in this second member that appear to reflect the teaching
given in the first, and so indicate to us the most essential parts of the passage. They can
be seen as follows:--
Colossians 1: 23-28.
D | a | 1: 25. The Word filled up.
b | 1: 26. The mystery manifested.
c | 1: 24. Afflictions for body's sake.
d | 1: 25. Paul's ministry and dispensation of God.
Colossians 4: 2-11.
D | a | 4: 3. A door of the Word.
b | 4: 4. Make mystery manifest.
c | 4: 3. Bonds for the mystery.
d | 4: 11. Paul's fellow-workers unto the kingdom of God.
It will be seen that both sections speak of the Word in relation to the ministry of the
mystery; both speak of the manifesting of the mystery, the first by God Himself, the
second by Paul, His servant; both speak of afflictions or bonds for the sake of the
mystery and the church; and both allude to the ministry associated with this revelation.
These four points of correspondence, while sufficient to establish the link between the
two sections and to fix their place in the main outline, do not in any sense set forth
section 4: 2-11 in its true structure. This passage, like all others in Scripture, conforms
to a structural disposition of its subject-matter which we must now make clear:--