Colossians 1:24

CONTEXT-   Labor for the Doctrine of the Mystery

Colossians 1:24-29 

24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings on your behalf. With my flesh I am filling up the gaps left in the line by those who succumb to the pressures being brought against Christ. I do this for the sake of his Body, which is the Church. 25 I became a minister [of the Church] in accordance with the administration of God given me to complete the Word of God for you: 26 the Mystery hidden from ages and generations. Now it has been revealed to His holy ones. 27 To them God desired to make known the riches of the glory of this Mystery among the Gentiles, which is 28 This [Christ in you] we preach, confronting every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, in order to cause every man to stand [before God] mature and perfect in Christ. 29 To this end I labor hard, striving intensely in the contest, by
the energizing assistance of the potential power within me.

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The Structure of Colossians

A - SALUTATION - Col. 1:1 and 2
       B - PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING FOR YOUR AFFAIRS - Col. 1:3-8
                C - PRAYER TO BE FILLED WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD'S WILL - Col. 1:9-23
                       D - LABOR FOR THE DOCTRINE OF THE MYSTERY - Col. 1:24-29
                                E - CONFLICT OVER THE DOCTRINE - Col. 2:1-23
                                E - RESOLUTION OF THE CONFLICT - Col. 3:1-17
                       D - LABOR FOR THE PRACTICE OF THE MYSTERY - Col. 3:18-4:1
               C - PRAYER FOR THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD'S WILL TO BE MADE KNOWN - Col. 4:2-6
        B - ACTION FOR YOUR (AFFAIRS OR) BENEFIT - Col. 4:7-17
A - SALUTATION - Col. 4:18

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