Colossians 4:3 — The Secret of the Christ

3 praying at the same time concerning us also, that God should be opening for us a door of the word, to speak the secret of Christ, because of which I am bound also,

Paul does not speak of “the secret,” but of “the secret of the Christ.” This is no accidental choice of words. The very heart of the secret entrusted to him lies in this expression. But what is meant by “the Christ”? Is this only the exalted Lord, or does it encompass more?

The ecclesia is the body of Christ in this era. This means that she has been made one with her Head in heaven. In 1 Corinthians 12:12, they are together called “the Christ.” Whatever is promised to Christ Jesus and belongs to Him, the ecclesia shares in as well. She has not been incorporated into Israel, but into Christ! “The Christ” refers not only to Christ Jesus but also to the company that shares in His position and His blessings.

This truth was not made known in previous generations. The prophets did foretell that the nations would be blessed, but not that Jews and the nations would together form one body, with Christ as Head. That is precisely the secret of the Christ: the Head and the ecclesia together form one body.

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