Paul endured many hardships, yet he found joy in them because they were for the sake of the church. Despite all he faced, he remained aware that his trials did not compare to what Christ endured in His body. Paul understood that his mission involved bearing these burdens for the church. Paul was called to suffer for the church (Acts 9:16). God commissioned Paul to spread the gospel to the Gentiles, and he presented the gospel to them just as God had told him. Paul called the gospel the mystery “kept hidden for ages but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people.” (26) This mystery is Christ in us, our hope of glory. In Christ is all wisdom so that we may become fully mature. Paul worked very hard to make sure this gospel was spread to the ends of the earth.

Paul labored incessantly for God’s people in Colossae and Laodicea, even though he had never met them. His goal in his labor was that they may be encouraged in their hearts and united in love. In this way, they would come to know the mystery of God, who is Christ. While it may be tempting to some to seek out wisdom and knowledge from false teachers who promise many things, we have Christ which is the embodiment of all wisdom and knowledge.
Application: Father, help us to avoid all false teachings and cling to the wisdom found only in Christ.
One Word: Jesus is the one we proclaim