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“The Mysterious Mystery”
Categories: NEW TESTAMENTColossians 2 verse 2’s last line reads, “…acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ.”I thought it was God who is the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit? Please explain.
Sincerely,
Triad Trepidation
Dear Triad Trepidation,
Col 2:2 has two possible translations. The New American Standard and American Standard translate it: “resulting in a true knowledge of God's mystery, that is, Christ Himself”. In the King James and New King James Version, it is translated as you stated. Most likely, the American Standard translation is more accurate, and it clarifies the issue. Jesus is the mystery of God which matches what is said in 1 Tim 3:16, Col 1:27, and Eph 5:32.
However, even if the King James Version is the better translation, it is simply stating that the church should acknowledge three things:
- Acknowledge the mystery of God
- Acknowledge the Father
- Acknowledge the Christ
If that is the case, then the mystery of God is most likely the Bible message – which Paul says is a mystery that has only now been revealed to us in the New Testament (Eph 3:3-6). Either way, there is no doctrinal problem. The Father is God (Jude 1:1).
