Devine Scripture

Colossians 1:27

What does Colossians 1:27 mean?

A plain-English look at Colossians 1:27 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Colossians 1:27 means

God was pleased to make known “the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles,” which is “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” The surprise is not merely that Gentiles are included, but that the indwelling Christ Himself is their present treasure and future assurance. Union with Christ—His life in believers—guarantees the coming glory. This hope is rich and glorious, not thin or uncertain. It dismantles barriers of privilege and ethnicity by giving the same Christ to all. Because He dwells in them, believers have both power for holiness now and certainty of sharing His glory then. Christ Himself is the center and content of Christian hope.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

to 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:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

to 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:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

To whom God was pleased to give knowledge of the wealth of the glory of this secret among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

to whom God did will to make known what <FI>is<Fi> the riches of the glory of this secret among the nations--which is Christ in you, the hope of the glory,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

To whom God would make known the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ, in you the hope of glory.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

to whomGod would make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the nations, which is Christ in you the hope of glory:

Context

Verse 27 clarifies the mystery introduced in verse 26. It emphasizes God’s pleasure in revealing this truth and its application “among the Gentiles.” With the content stated—Christ in you—Paul will in verse 28 describe his ministry method and aim in light of this reality, and in verse 29 his dependence on divine power. The flow places Christ’s indwelling at the heart of Christian maturity and mission.

v.26even the mystery which hath been hid for ages and generations: but now hath it been manifested to his saints,

v.27This passage

v.28whom we proclaim, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ;

Cross references

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

  • 1 John 4:4

    Ye are of God, my little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world.

  • Colossians 1:5

    because of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel,

  • Ephesians 3:16

    that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that ye may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man;

  • Colossians 2:3

    in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden.

  • 2 Corinthians 6:16

    And what agreement hath a temple of God with idols? for we are a temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

  • John 6:56

    He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood abideth in me, and I in him.

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 1:27.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary