The Glories of Christ—Chapter 1

Having given thanks for the things that he had heard of them, Paul prays that they might be “filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding” (Col. 1:9). God’s desire for us is nothing less. The Apostle gives thanks unto the Father for that which they—and we as believers—have as a present condition: “which hath made us meet [fit] to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood” (Col. 1:12-14).
The glories of Christ follow. He is the Creator of the universe; by Him all things consist. Not only has He the first place as Creator, but “He is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven” (Col. 1:18-20). Thus the foundation for the universal blessing of creation is established in the cross. For those that continue in the faith, with their hope firmly grounded in the Gospel, it is a present accomplished thing (Col. 1:21-23).
Paul was not only a minister of the gospel, but also of the church—that mystery which heretofore had been hidden. Thereby he completed the Word (the revealed mind) of God (Col. 1:23-25 JND).