Colossians Chapter 1 verse 25 Holy Bible

ASV Colossians 1:25

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 chapter 1 in ASV

BBE Colossians 1:25

Of which I became a servant by the purpose of God which was given to me for you, to give effect to the word of God,
read chapter 1 in BBE

DARBY Colossians 1:25

of which *I* became minister, according to the dispensation of God which [is] given me towards you to complete the word of God,
read chapter 1 in DARBY

KJV Colossians 1:25

Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
read chapter 1 in KJV

WBT Colossians 1:25


read chapter 1 in WBT

WEB Colossians 1:25

of which I was made a servant, according to the stewardship of God which was given me toward you, to fulfill the word of God,
read chapter 1 in WEB

YLT Colossians 1:25

of which I -- I did become a ministrant according to the dispensation of God, that was given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God,
read chapter 1 in YLT

Pulpit Commentary

Pulpit CommentaryVerse 25. - Of which I became a minister (2 Corinthians 4:5; 2 Corinthians 6:3-10; 2 Corinthians 11:28, 29; 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1-4). His sufferings are, therefore, matter of duty, as well as of joy. As the Church's minister, he is bound to toil and to suffer in whatever way her welfare requires. Elsewhere he styles himself "minister of the gospel" (ver 23; Ephesians 3:7), "of God," "of Christ," "of a new covenant" (2 Corinthians 3:6). (On "minister," see note, ver. 7. According to the stewardship of God, that was given me to you-ward (Ephesians 3:1-13; 1 Corinthians 4:1-4; 1 Corinthians 9:17; 1 Timothy 1:4, R.V.; 1 Timothy 3:15; Luke 12:42; Luke 16:2-4; Hebrews 3:2-6; 1 Peter 4:10). Οἰκονομία ("economy") is first "house-management," then "administration" generally the οἰκόνομος ("house-steward") was a confidential upper servant, frequently a slave, who controlled the general arrangements of a large establishment, and was responsible immediately to the master. Such an office the apostle holds, along with others (1 Corinthians 4:1), in the Church, "the house of God" (Ephesians 2:19-22; 1 Timothy 3:15; 2 Timothy 2:20: this conception, like that of "the body of Christ" - comp. note on ver. 18 - is fully developed only in the later Epistles). In this office he "administers the gospel" (1 Corinthians 9:17, 18), "the grace of God" (Ephesians 3:2; 1 Peter 4:10), and here more especially "the mystery" of vers. 26, 27 (comp. Ephesians 3:9, R.V.). In Ephesians 1:10 and Ephesians 3:2, the οἰκονομία is referred to God himself, the supreme Dispenser in his own house. This office "was given" him, and specifically as "toward the Gentiles" (for "you" points to the Colossians as Gentiles, vers. 24, 27, notes; Ephesians 3:1, 2; Romans 11:13), when he first became a servant of Christ (Acts 9:15; Acts 22:21; Acts 26:16-18; Galatians 1:15, 16; 1 Timothy 1:11-15; Romans 15:15, 16). Some interpreters connect "to you-ward" with the word "fulfil," but less suitably (comp. Ephesians 3:2; Romans 15:16). To fulfil the word of God (Romans 15:16-19; Romans 16:25, 26). "To fulfil" (see vers. 9, 24, and "fulness," ver. 19; also Colossians 2:9, 10; Colossians 4:12) is either "to complete," to give full development and extension to the gospel message (vers. 5, 6; 2 Thessalonians 3:1; 2 Corinthians 2:14-17; Romans 15:19; Acts 20:20, 21, 27); or "to accomplish" the prophetic word (Romans 9:24-26; Romans 15:8 - 12; Acts 15:15-17), as in Acts 13:27, and frequently in the Gospels. This verb πληρόω, however, is not used by St. Paul elsewhere in the latter sense, and the former precisely suits the context (compare parallels from Romans). Other interpretations - "to preach abundantly," "to continue Christ's preaching" (Ephesians 2:17; Hebrews 2:3), "to execute the Divine commission" - miss the sense of the verb. The word which it is the object of the apostle's ministry to fulfil, and in regard to which he had a special stewardship, is none other than -

Ellicott's Commentary

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(25) Whereof I am made (or, became) a minister.--Above (in Colossians 1:23) St. Paul describes himself as a "minister of the gospel," here as a "minister (or, servant) of the Church." Elsewhere he is always the "minister of God" and "of Christ"; here of the Church, as the Body of Christ, and so indissolubly united with Christ.The dispensation of God.--See Ephesians 3:2-9, and Notes there. The reference is to his peculiar "Apostleship of the Gentiles."To fulfil.--The marginal reading and reference to Romans 15:19 give the explanation of the word, "fully to preach the Word of God"--to be a messenger of the perfect revelation, which had now unfolded what was previously a hidden "mystery."