Colossians 1:27

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:

'TO WHOM' -i.e. to ordinary people.

'GOD WAS PLEASED TO MAKE KNOW WHAT IS THE RICHES OF THE GLORY OF THIS MYSTERY AMONG THE GENTILES' -'the surpassing glory of that hidden Truth when proclaimed among the Gentiles' (TCNT); 'how rich among the non-Jews is the glory of this hidden truth' (Beck).

Points to Note:

1. God doesn't have any truth to hide. God isn't jealous about what He knows. It pleased God to let Gentiles know about salvation in Christ Jesus! God wants men and women to know the truth (1 Timothy 2:4).

2. Again, let it be noted that Christianity isn't. "mystery religion". The church isn't. club in which only so many are allowed in. The church has no truth that it secretly guards from the average member.

3. God even wants the heathen saved! (Galatians 1:15)

'THE RICHES OF THE GLORY' -'The full wealth of the divine mercy and goodness (God's glory) has been revealed in the inclusion of the Gentile peoples of all the world in the saving purpose of God.' (Erdman p. 65) Bruce says, 'Had this grace been shown to believing Jews alone, it might not have excited such wonder...But non-Jews are included as well, and included on an equal footing with Jews.' (p. 85)

That God would invite through the gospel people from all nations, many of them having demonstrated very little interest in true religion or morality in the past (Ephesians 2:1). That He would still give them the chance to hear the truth and be saved, demonstrates what. glorious abundance of spiritual wealth is found in the nature of God and the gospel message.

'WHICH IS CHRIST IN YOU, THE HOPE OF GLORY' -'Christ among you! Your hope of glory!' (TCNT); 'the hope of all glorious things to come' (Phi)

'WHICH IS' -The center of this mystery, its most glorious element.

'CHRIST IN YOU' -The aim of all Christian teaching is to get the sinner to completely turn over their life to Jesus Christ. To allow Christ, through His will to direct every aspect of their lives, to "live by faith" (Galatians 2:20; 2 Corinthians 5:6; Matthew 16:24; 1 Peter 2:3). To so identify with Christ, His will, His purpose, aims, goals, etc..That one ceases to be that autonomous individual (Colossians 3:1). As one writer said, where. man is more concerned about finding God then finding himself. Where one is more concerned about pleasing God then finding self-fulfillment.

'THE HOPE OF GLORY' -Which includes all the promises given to Christians. Promises of future glory (1 Peter 1:4; 1 John 3:1; Revelation 21:1). But such. hope is only available to those who follow Christ, as their first priority in life (Matthew 6:33; 2 Timothy 2:11). Those whose minds are centered upon Christ (Romans 8:6).

Which also infers, if you don't have Christ, then you don't have any hope.