“For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts
to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
(2 Corinthians 4:6)
In Colossians 2:2, Paul describes Christ in a most intriguing manner… as God’s mystery. “… that [the Colossian believers] may attain all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge,” (Col. 2:2-3).
We have no way of grasping the immeasurable wealth of this mystery – the infinite wisdom and knowledge of God that He laid up as a treasury in His Son. If ever there is a time when we are allowed to comprehend these treasures in full, it will not be until we see Christ face to face and know “even as we are known,” (1 Cor. 13:12).
However, Paul makes it clear that he is sharing this with the church in Colossae so that their hearts may be encouraged from the full assurance of their faith in Christ and in knowing Him in whom is hidden this mysterious treasure. We can never expect to apprehend the depths of the riches of God this side of heaven. But as believers we are afforded a sufficient practical understanding of those riches because we know this same Christ as our Savior.
God’s mystery, as much as we can ascertain, is wrapped up in His gospel: that God wearing flesh and blood lived among men. Those who believed and followed Christ when He walked the earth were awarded the privilege of beholding God Himself in the very Son of God who expressed the glory and image of His Father. And thereby, those who come to know Christ also necessarily come to know the Father (John 14:7-9).
The disciples beheld the wisdom and knowledge of God in part in the wondrous works and words of Christ that were full of grace and truth (John 1:14). God’s Son lived a perfect life, upheld the Law of God in every way, gave Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of His people, and rose from the dead. And when His ministry on earth was complete, He ascended back to heaven to return to His Father, sending the Holy Spirit to minister among His people.
The Spirit, in turn, revealed to the Apostles the dark mysteries of His sufferings, which they did not fully understand, as well as the power of His resurrection which they saw with their own eyes. The Spirit then translated these mysteries of the gospel message into a language that could be understood by lost sinners regarding the forgiveness of sin and redemption through His blood.
Thomas Goodwin said, “Christ Himself has gone to heaven, having taken up His glory with Him. Those that were eyewitnesses of it, who reported it to us in the Bible, are also gone. But the Holy Spirit caused them to leave a frame and doctrine of the gospel in their writings, both the narrative of Christ’s life and death, and in their epistles, which give that narrative a most plain and perfect conception. In it they show the use, end, and intent of it all, for the glory of God.”
This mysterious treasure of the wisdom and knowledge of God is bound up in Christ, His Beloved Son. And it is only in and through this Christ that we can come to know God and adore Him, because He is the express image of the glory of His Father.
- Lord, Your glorious gospel shows forth the wonder of Your Son, who is the true and complete representation of You. In Him are found all the riches of Your wisdom and knowledge. Such truths are too wonderful for me to understand. But, at the same time, I can have full assurance of my faith and a workable understanding of You because of the mystery of this gospel that is made known to me in my Savior and Lord.
- Because You are holy, it was necessary that Your Son come to earth in the manner He did in order to exemplify Your attributes. Justice must meet with sacrifice, and holiness must meet with atonement. Humanity is then witness to Your holiness, justice, and goodness through the power of the cross.
- Though His light is shown to us in part, yet, blessed be God, at least it is in part!
- Certainly, that faith which brings me joy is something more than a bare belief of biblical truth. Anyone can believe propositions. But who lives them out? It is indeed a reception of Christ offered in the promises of Your Gospel that saves me through His blood and resurrection. This causes me to, “account all but loss and dung for Christ.” And for this purpose, “God shines in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ,” (2 Cor. 4:6).
Further References for 2 Cor. 4:6
2 Cor. 4:4; 2 Peter 1:19; John 8:12, 9:39; Eph. 1:17; Heb. 1:3
