Colossians 1:25
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;
Original Language Analysis
ἧς
Whereof
G3739
ἧς
Whereof
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
1 of 19
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἐγενόμην
am made
G1096
ἐγενόμην
am made
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
2 of 19
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
διάκονος
a minister
G1249
διάκονος
a minister
Strong's:
G1249
Word #:
4 of 19
an attendant, i.e., (genitive case) a waiter (at table or in other menial duties); specially, a christian teacher and pastor (technically, a deacon)
κατὰ
according to
G2596
κατὰ
according to
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
5 of 19
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
τοῦ
which
G3588
τοῦ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οἰκονομίαν
the dispensation
G3622
οἰκονομίαν
the dispensation
Strong's:
G3622
Word #:
7 of 19
administration (of a household or estate); specially, a (religious) "economy"
τοῦ
which
G3588
τοῦ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
of God
G2316
θεοῦ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
9 of 19
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
τοῦ
which
G3588
τοῦ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δοθεῖσάν
is given
G1325
δοθεῖσάν
is given
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
11 of 19
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
εἰς
for
G1519
εἰς
for
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
13 of 19
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
πληρῶσαι
to fulfil
G4137
πληρῶσαι
to fulfil
Strong's:
G4137
Word #:
15 of 19
to make replete, i.e., (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute
τοῦ
which
G3588
τοῦ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λόγον
the word
G3056
λόγον
the word
Strong's:
G3056
Word #:
17 of 19
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
Cross References
Ephesians 3:2If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:Colossians 1:23If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;1 Timothy 4:6If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.1 Thessalonians 3:2And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:
Historical Context
Paul's Gentile mission was controversial in early Christianity. Jerusalem leaders initially questioned whether Gentiles needed circumcision and law-keeping (Acts 15). Paul's revelation that Gentiles enter God's people through faith alone, without becoming Jewish, completed God's revelation of His redemptive plan. This wasn't innovation but illumination of Old Testament promises obscured by Jewish misinterpretation.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you view Christian ministry—as career choice and personal fulfillment, or as divine stewardship and sacred trust?
- What has God entrusted to you (gifts, knowledge, resources, opportunities) for others' benefit rather than your own?
- How faithfully do you deliver God's truth unchanged versus adapting it to cultural preferences or personal comfort?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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. Paul describes his apostolic calling using diakonos (διάκονος, "servant/minister"), the same word for deacons, emphasizing service over status. His ministry flows from divine appointment—"the dispensation of God" (tēn oikonomian tou theou, τὴν οἰκονομίαν τοῦ θεοῦ), literally "stewardship" or "management responsibility."
God entrusted Paul with specific responsibility "for you"—ministry to Gentiles. This wasn't Paul's choice but divine assignment (Acts 9:15; Galatians 2:7-8). Stewards don't own what they manage; they're accountable to the Owner. Paul managed God's revelation, faithfully delivering it unchanged to recipients. This counters any claim of private interpretation or progressive revelation improving on apostolic teaching.
"To fulfil the word of God" (plērōsai ton logon tou theou, πληρῶσαι τὸν λόγον τοῦ θεοῦ) means completing or bringing to fullness. Paul's ministry filled out God's revelation by explaining how Gentiles share equal status with Jews in Christ—the mystery revealed in verse 26-27. His apostolic teaching completed the deposit of faith "once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3).