‘And to make all men see what is the stewardship of the mystery, which from all ages has been hid in God who created all things, to the intent that now to the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places might be made known through the church the many sided wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him.'
‘To make all men see.' Paul is desirous that the whole world should know, and indeed is commanded that it should be so.
‘What is the stewardship of the mystery.' He wants them to see ‘the stewardship of the mystery', that is, the carrying out into effect of the mystery by God in the church of God with its indwelling by Jesus Christ. For this is the wonder of the mystery, that Christ is in them the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27), so that they will become like Him, will partake in His glory, and will through the ages continully reveal that glory (compare 2 Corinthians 3:18; John 17:22). That is God's purpose in Christ.
‘Which from all ages has been hid in God Who created all things.' This mystery was kept secret in the heart of God even from before creation, and has now been made known in Christ.
‘To the intent that now the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places.' This probably means all heavenly beings both unfallen and fallen (for the latter compare Ephesians 6:12). They were created by Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:16) and have a part in the spiritual realm into which Christians have now been brought through the Spirit, some being helpful (Hebrews 1:14) and some being antagonistic (Ephesians 6:12). Many ancient religious non-Christian creeds produced whole hosts of heavenly beings of great varieties. Whatever they are, says Paul, they can only stand in awe at the church of God through whom God is carrying out His purposes. We may wonder at angels. They wonder at us.
‘Might be made known through the church the many sided wisdom of God.' All such beings are to see the many sided (variegated) wisdom of God, either through the activity of the called out people of God, the Christ indwelt church, or perhaps just through its very existence, although the one assumes the other; and especially by its final presentation before God as the unblemished ‘wife' of Christ (Ephesians 5:26-27).
‘According to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord.' The great mystery of the church is that, having been redeemed and sanctified, they are indwelt by the risen Christ, ‘Christ in you the hope of glory' (Colossians 1:27), and enjoy His unsearchable riches. But this indwelling is not of some great organisation called ‘the church', but of living members of the church, who are each indwelt by Christ (Ephesians 3:17; Galatians 2:20) and who must each be presented perfect in Christ (Colossians 1:28), and yet are united as one in Him.
‘Christ Jesus our Lord'. A phrase used only here (but compare Colossians 2:6 where it is used without ‘our'). It is intended to emphasise the majesty and glory of Christ (‘the Christ, Jesus our Lord', compare Acts 2:36).
‘In Whom we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in Him.' Their being possessed by Christ makes His people confident in their approach to God, for they come through Him. Thus they come boldly to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16), and find that their access is sure. ‘Confident access.' Not blase or arrogant, not thoughtless or presumptious, but humble and joyful because we come through Him.