Devine Scripture

Colossians 1:26

What does Colossians 1:26 mean?

A plain-English look at Colossians 1:26 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Colossians 1:26 means

Paul speaks of “the mystery which hath been hid for ages and generations: but now hath it been manifested to his saints.” In Scripture, a mystery is not a puzzle humans solve but a truth God reveals in His timing. This mystery was long concealed in God’s plan, now openly disclosed to His holy people. The shift from hidden to manifested signals a new era in salvation history, centered on Christ. The revelation is not for an elite few; it is for all the saints. God’s unveiling invites humble wonder and firm confidence. The church lives in the privilege of clarity that earlier generations only anticipated.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

even the mystery which hath been hid for ages and generations: but now hath it been manifested to his saints,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

even the mystery which hath been hid for ages and generations: but now hath it been manifested to his saints,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

The secret which has been kept from all times and generations, but has now been made clear to his saints,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

the secret that hath been hid from the ages and from the generations, but now was manifested to his saints,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

The mystery which hath been hidden from ages and generations, but now is manifested to his saints,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

the mystery which [has been] hidden from ages and from generations, but has now been made manifest to his saints;

Context

Verse 26 continues explaining Paul’s stewardship (verse 25) by naming its content: a revealed mystery. It sets up verse 27, which will specify the mystery’s riches among the Gentiles as “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” This progression shows that Paul’s ministry is not speculative novelty but God’s own disclosure of His plan in Christ, now applied broadly to the nations.

v.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,

v.26This passage

v.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:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Romans 16:25

    Now to him that is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which hath been kept in silence through times eternal,

  • Psalms 25:14

    The friendship of Jehovah is with them that fear him; And he will show them his covenant.

  • 2 Timothy 1:10

    but hath now been manifested by the appearing of our Saviour Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,

  • 1 Corinthians 2:7

    but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, even the wisdom that hath been hidden, which God foreordained before the worlds unto our glory:

  • Mark 4:11

    And he said unto them, Unto you is given the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all things are done in parables:

  • Ephesians 3:3

    how that by revelation was made known unto me the mystery, as I wrote before in few words,

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Colossians 1

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Colossians 1.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Colossians 1:26.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary