King James Version

What Does Colossians 1:27 Mean?

Colossians 1:27 in the King James Version says “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you,...” — study this verse from Colossians chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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: in: or, among”

Colossians 1:27 · KJV

Hope

Context

25

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; to fulfil: or, fully to preach the word

26

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

27

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: in: or, among

28

Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

29

Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily .

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. Paul reveals the mystery's content: "Christ in you" (Christos en hymin, Χριστὸς ἐν ὑμῖν). The "you" is plural, addressing Gentiles corporately. The mystery isn't merely that Gentiles can be saved but that they're fully incorporated into Christ, indwelt by Him equally with Jewish believers, without becoming Jewish. This demolished ethnic privileging in God's people.

"The riches of the glory of this mystery" piles up superlatives. Ploutos (πλοῦτος, "riches"), doxa (δόξα, "glory"), and mystērion (μυστήριον, "mystery") emphasize the revelation's incomprehensible value. God chose to disclose infinite treasure—Christ Himself—to Gentiles previously excluded from covenant promises. This generous inclusion displays divine grace's magnitude.

"The hope of glory" (hē elpis tēs doxēs, ἡ ἐλπὶς τῆς δόξης) identifies Christ as both present reality (in you now) and future hope (glory to come). Believers possess Christ currently through the Spirit's indwelling, guaranteeing future glorification. This present-future tension characterizes Christian existence: already possessing Christ, not yet experiencing complete transformation. Christ within is glory's guarantee.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jewish expectation anticipated Messiah blessing Israel while Gentiles served subordinately or were judged. The scandal of Paul's gospel was equal standing: Gentiles receive identical spiritual status without circumcision or law-keeping, united to Jews in one body through faith alone. This wasn't merely tolerating Gentiles but celebrating their full inclusion as God's deliberate purpose, not afterthought.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Christ's indwelling presence function as daily reality versus theoretical doctrine in your experience?
  2. What does it mean that Christ within is your hope of glory—how does present possession guarantee future transformation?
  3. How should the mystery of Gentile inclusion shape your view of God's grace and your approach to those unlike you?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 25 words
ὅς1 of 25

“To whom”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἠθέλησεν2 of 25

“would”

G2309

to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),

ὁ3 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεὸς4 of 25

“God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

γνωρίσαι5 of 25

“make known”

G1107

to make known; subjectively, to know

τις6 of 25

“what”

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

ὅ7 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πλοῦτος8 of 25

“is the riches”

G4149

wealth (as fulness), i.e., (literally) money, possessions, or (figuratively) abundance, richness, (specially), valuable bestowment

τῆς9 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δόξης·10 of 25

“of glory”

G1391

glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective)

τοῦ11 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μυστηρίου12 of 25

“mystery”

G3466

a secret or "mystery" (through the idea of silence imposed by initiation into religious rites)

τούτου13 of 25

“of this”

G5127

of (from or concerning) this (person or thing)

ἐν14 of 25

“among”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τοῖς15 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἔθνεσιν16 of 25

“the Gentiles”

G1484

a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)

ὅς17 of 25

“To whom”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἐστιν18 of 25

“is”

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

Χριστὸς19 of 25

“Christ”

G5547

anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus

ἐν20 of 25

“among”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ὑμῖν21 of 25

“you”

G5213

to (with or by) you

ἡ22 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐλπὶς23 of 25

“the hope”

G1680

expectation (abstractly or concretely) or confidence

τῆς24 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δόξης·25 of 25

“of glory”

G1391

glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Colossians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Colossians 1:27 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Colossians 1:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

John 14:20Romans 8:10Ephesians 3:16-171 John 4:4Galatians 2:201 Corinthians 3:16

Test Your Knowledge

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