I became its servant by the commission God gave me to fully proclaim to you the word of God,
Parallel translations
- WEB of which I was made a servant, according to the stewardship of God which was given me toward you, to fulfill the word of God,
- KJV 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;
- NKJV of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God,
- NASB I was made a minister of this church according to the commission from God granted to me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God,
- NLT God has given me the responsibility of serving his church by proclaiming his entire message to you.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul became a servant of the church by God's commission to fully proclaim God's word. His ministry is a stewardship entrusted by God.
Overview
He describes his role as a 'stewardship of God which was given me toward you,' a trust to manage faithfully. His commission is 'to fulfill the word of God,' that is, to make the gospel message fully known. Paul serves not by self-appointment but under divine assignment for the church's benefit.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- Eph 3:2Surely you have heard about the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you,
- Col 1:23if indeed you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope of the gospel you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
- Gal 2:7–8On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted to preach the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised.
- 2 Tim 4:2–5Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction.
- Rom 15:15–19However, I have written you a bold reminder on some points, because of the grace God has given me
- 1 Th 3:2We sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,
- 1 Tim 4:6By pointing out these things to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of faith and sound instruction that you have followed.
- 1 Cor 9:17If my preaching is voluntary, I have a reward. But if it is not voluntary, I am still entrusted with a responsibility.
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The image of the invisible God, firstborn over creation, in whom all things hold together and all the fullness of God dwells bodily — supreme over every power.
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Original language
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