Stewards of the Mystery Continued in Colossians: Mysteries about the Mystery
Are you into a good mystery? Read Paul’s letter to the Colossians; all of it; all of us in church (4:16). There is a mystery in this exchange of letters between neighboring congregations What churches? Which letters? It looks like there is a lot of inter-church communication going on. There is a mystery of names, all eleven of them (4:7-17). It looks like there is a lot of inter-personal ministry going on.
Why read a letter from someone you have never met (2:1)? Read it because Paul has a stewardship to proclaim and teach the Mystery of God that hidden for ages has now revealed to the saints, Gentile saints especially (1:25-27). Two reasons are given: (1) the saints in these churches need to become mature (1:28-29) and (2) another version of the mystery threatens to take you captive (2:8). This “Colossian heresy” is itself a mysterious thing (2:4, 8, 16-23).
In exasperation we cry out, “speak plainly.” Paul’s answer sounds simple: Christ in you, the hope of glory (1:27). Then comes a big mystery. Looking back to the hymn affirming the fullness of God dwelling in Christ bodily (1:19; 2:9), Paul says you have come to fullness in him (2:10). What is this fullness? How and when is it experienced? Paul says that it happens by faith at baptism when you were buried with Christ and raised up with him. You were made alive with him (2:12-15).
There is the mystery of baptism. Something happens in baptism. Call it a mystery or a sacrament, something more than just being dipped in a pool of water is happening. Mysteries ask, “whodunit?” Paul is quite clear. It is the working of God in Christ whom he raised from the dead. He energizes this event.
So that is it. Just get yourself baptized and that seals the deal, right? Not hardly! That just gets us started. There is a whole life to live since you have died with Christ and have been raised with him (2:20-4:6). In living that life together “Christ is all and in all” (3:11). I get it. Since it is such a big deal with all these mysteries, we need to read some good commentaries. Perhaps, says Paul, but first read this letter together over and over.
—Tom Yoakum