“The dispensation of God” given to Paul completed the Word of God. Every subject — creation, providence, law, government, the kingdom, incarnation, atonement — had been unfolded in the Word of God but one. When it was revealed through Paul, the full circle of revelation was completed. This final subject to be revealed was the mystery of Christ and the church. It has two parts: First, that Christ should, as Man, be set in the heavenlies, having all dominion. by redemption (personally He had it as God), as Head over all things in heaven and earth, to the church, His body, united to Him by the Holy Spirit come down from heaven.
Second, He is “in you” [Gentiles] “the hope of glory.” This was a new thing. When Christ came, He was the “minister of the circumcision [the Jew] for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers” (Rom. 15:88Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: (Romans 15:8)).
Abraham was the vessel of the promises of God; they were repeated to the fathers, Isaac and Jacob. Israel took the promises on the ground of law and man’s responsibility and forfeited them totally. Then Christ came, in whom were all the promises of God, yea and amen. He came to establish the promises to the people to whose fathers they had been made, namely, the Jews. He was rejected, and instead of becoming the “Crown of glory ... unto the residue of His people” (Isa. 28:55In that day shall the Lord of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people, (Isaiah 28:5)), the Heir of glory goes on high, and the poor Gentile believer who had no promises comes in by pure mercy.
As we read, “That the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy” (Rom. 15:99And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. (Romans 15:9)). We get a place in Christ on high, united to Him who is the Heir of all the glory. Not only are we in Him, but He is in us — not the “crown of glory,” but the “hope of glory.” “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:2727To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: (Colossians 1:27)).
Christian Treasury, Vol. 10