Colossians 1:27

God would make known. Literally, “God willed to make known.” It is God’s plan that His people shall penetrate deeper mysteries of divine knowledge by the help of His Holy Spirit. In turn, through their receiving this revelation, God will so transform their dispositions that saintly characters will be the result.

Riches of the glory. Compare on Rom. 9:23; cf. Eph. 1:7, 18; 2:7; 3:8, 16.

Gentiles. That this glorious mystery should also embrace the Gentiles came as a shock to the Jews. But God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34); His mercy extends to all who accept Him. The apostle is stressing the universality of the scope of the plan of salvation.

Christ in you. The indwelling presence of Jesus in the human heart is the manifestation of the eternal mystery (see on Gal. 2:20; Eph. 1:1).

Hope of glory. Compare v. 5. By inaugurating the plan of salvation, God placed before fallen humanity the hope of restoration to the divine presence. The incarnation of Christ brought the realization of this hope one stage nearer. The indwelling of Christ in the individual heart gives evidence that the power of grace is working to transform the character. This makes real the hope of glorification. The Christian lives in the kingdom of grace today, which gives him assurance that he will one day dwell with Christ in the kingdom of glory. Compare Rom. 8:18; 1 Tim. 1:1.