Colossians 1:25

I became its servant by the commission God gave me to fully proclaim to you the word of God,

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Paul addresses the Colossian believers, declaring his appointment as a servant to proclaim God’s word to them. He states this immediately after describing his sufferings for the church and the recent revelation of a mystery hidden for ages.

The words — The Greek οἰκονομίαν (oikonomian) means "administration" or "stewardship," and διάκονος (diakonos) means "minister" or "servant." Paul grounds his identity not in personal ambition but in the specific commission God gave him.

The thread — The concept of apostolic stewardship runs through Ephesians 3:2, where Paul references the grace entrusted to him for others. It parallels Galatians 2:7, which records his entrustment to preach the gospel to the uncircumcised.

Why it lands — The text requires the reader to acknowledge that gospel proclamation is a delegated duty, not a voluntary pursuit. It demands alignment with the commissioned word of God as the sole standard for ministry.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

ἧςhēsof which ἐγενόμηνegenomēnbecame ἐγὼegōI myself διάκονοςdiakonosa minister κατὰkataaccording to τὴνtēnthe οἰκονομίανoikonomianadministration τοῦtou<the>θεοῦtheouof God τὴνtēnwhich δοθεῖσάνdotheisanhaving been given μοιmoime εἰςeistoward ὑμᾶςhumasyou πληρῶσαιplērōsaito complete τὸνtonthe λόγονlogonword τοῦtou<the>θεοῦ,theouof God,

King James Version

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;

Cross-references

Ephesians 3:2 Surely you have heard about the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you,
Colossians 1:23 if indeed you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope of the gospel you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
Galatians 2:7 On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted to preach the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised.
2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction.
Romans 15:15 However, I have written you a bold reminder on some points, because of the grace God has given me
1 Thessalonians 3:2 We sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,
1 Timothy 4:6 By pointing out these things to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of faith and sound instruction that you have followed.
1 Corinthians 9:17 If my preaching is voluntary, I have a reward. But if it is not voluntary, I am still entrusted with a responsibility.