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Colossians 1:25

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Colossians 1:25 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “whereof I was made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which was given me to you-ward, to fulfil the word of God,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

whereof I was made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which was given me to you-ward, to fulfil the word of God,
Colossians 1:25 — American Standard Version

Context — Colossians 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
22yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without blemish and unreproveable before him:
23if so be that ye continue in the faith, grounded and stedfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel which ye heard, which was preached in all creation under heaven; whereof I Paul was made a minister.
24Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and fill up on my part that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body`s sake, which is the church;
25whereof I was made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which was given me to you-ward, to fulfil the word of God,
26[even] the mystery which hath been hid for ages and generations: but now hath it been manifested to his saints,
27to whom God was pleased to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
28whom we proclaim, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ;
← Colossians 1:24Colossians 1:26 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Whereof I am made a minister, etc.] Not of Christ, or of the Gospel as before, though both were true; but of the churches for whose sake he endured afflictions; and which carries in it a reason of his suffering for them: he was not a saviour of the body, nor a redeemer of the church, nor Lord of it; but a minister, a servant of it, that ministered to it in holy things, in the word and ordinances; not a deacon, as the word, sometimes signifies, nor an ordinary minister, or a pastor of a particular church; but a minister of the church in general, being an apostle sent to preach the Gospel everywhere: he was made a minister of it, not by men, or anything he received from men; nor by himself,…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“am--Greek, "I was made a minister": resuming Col 1:23, "whereof I Paul was made a minister." dispensation--the stewardship committed to me to dispense in the house of God, the Church, to the whole family of believers, the goods of my Master (Luk 12:42; Co1 4:1-2; Co1 9:17; Eph 3:2). which is given--Greek, "which was given." for you--with a view to you, Gentiles (Col 1:27; Rom 15:16). to fulfil--to bring it fully to all: the end of his stewardship: "fully preached" (Rom 15:19). "The fulness of Christ (Col 1:19), and of the times (Eph 1:10) required him so to do" [BENGEL].”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“According to the dispensation of God - The arrangement which God has made. That is, he designed that the gospel should be preached to the Gentiles, and, in accordance with that arrangement, he has called me to be a minister. Notes, Ephesians 3:2. To fulfil the word of God - Margin, “fully to preach.” The Greek is, “to fill up the word of God;” the meaning is, “fully to teach and promulgate the gospel;” compare the notes at Romans 15:19. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“According to the dispensation of God which is given me - Or, the stewardship with which I am intrusted. Colossians 1:26”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“I am: Col 1:23; Th1 3:2; Ti1 4:6 according: Rom 15:15-18; Co1 9:17; Gal 2:7, Gal 2:8; Eph 3:2 to fulfil: or, fully to preach, Rom 15:19; Ti2 4:2-5 Colossians 1:26”
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Related study paths

Read Colossians 1 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification