‘making the word of God fully known’, as RSV translates. ‘The word of God’ is, for Paul, a power let loose in the world, embodied in the true gospel message (see 1:6). It must be allowed to have its full effect, to be ‘fulfilled’ in that sense. 26–27. This is confirmed by Paul’s further definition of ‘the word of God’ as the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations but is now disclosed to the saints … (namely) Christ in you, the hope of glory. Here again we have Jewish ideas rethought
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