“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;”
Of which I became a minister according to the stewardship of God that was given to me for you to make the word of God fully known — Paul's ministry is kathaios (according to) divine stewardship (oikonomia, household-management). 'Given to me for you' shows his apostolate is Colossi-directed. 'To make the word of God fully known' (plērophorēō) uses fullness-language: he completes gospel proclamation. His service is cosmic in scope but particular in audience.
Church Fathers on Colossians 1:25
“Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and fill up on my part that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for His Body's sake, which is the Church.” And what is the connection of this? It seems indeed not to be connected, but it is even closely so. And “minister,” he says, that is, bringing in nothing from myself, but announcing what is from another. I so believe, that I suffer even for His sake, and not suffer only, but even rejoice in suffering,…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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