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His Spirit in the inner man". One step leads to another. And when we reach the end of it,
think on these words (verse 19): "And to know the love of Christ, which exceeds
(passes) knowing, that ye might be filled with (or unto) all the fullness of God". No
wonder all he can do now is to close with a glorious doxology. "Now unto Him that is
able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power
that worketh in us. Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages,
world without end."
Passing on to the next letter, Philippians, we find one occurrence of the word `riches'
in the last chapter. This church had been a very practical company. They had wanted to
make some recognition of their love and their indebtedness to the Apostle Paul in his
prison, so they had sent him a gift. We do not know what it was, but it was something
that had touched his heart, something that he said was very fragrant to the Lord. He even
used the word `sacrifice' to describe it. So he says (4: 18): "But I have all, and abound;
I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour
of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God. And my God shall supply
all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus". It does not say `out of
His riches', but, `according to His riches'. If a millionaire gave out of his riches he could
give a few pence, that would be giving `out of' his riches, but if he gave `according to'
his riches, I wonder how much he would have to give? A large sum surely! You see the
difference? This is the way your needs and mine are supplied by the Lord--`according to
His riches in glory', but remember this was said to generous Christians.
Lastly there are two references in Colossians: "To whom God would make known
what is the riches of the glory of this secret among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you"
or "Christ among you", as the margin reads (1: 27). Years before, the Apostle rejoiced in
the fact that he had Christ dwelling in him, "Christ liveth in me" he had written to the
Galatians (2: 20), but he did not say this was a secret. Here we have Christ among us
Gentiles--Gentiles who, as Ephesians tells us, were hopeless, aliens, strangers, outside
the pale, now so near as to have Christ among them apart from the chosen nation of
Israel.
Then in chapter 2:, he prays (verse 2) that their "hearts may be comforted, they being
knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they
may know the mystery of God (R.V.), even Christ". He is the great secret of God. This
secret has not been fully revealed yet, but there are untold riches attached to Him with
Whom it is connected, riches of full assurance of understanding.
So you see what an inheritance lies before us in Paul's prison letters! May we have
that keenness to go on, to search and see and make wonderful discoveries by the
enlightenment of the Holy Spirit.