When was the mystery hidden?
The mystery was hidden from ages and generations, concealed throughout past ages and generations. It was not revealed in former times, but now, as Paul writes, it is made manifest to the saints. So the hiding belonged to the ages and generations before the present revelation.
Les explains that Paul was made a minister according to the dispensation of God given to him for the Gentiles, to fulfill or complete the Word of God. The mystery, the secret, was hid from ages and generations, but now Paul says it is made manifest to his saints. Les notes that people often close their eyes to these words, yet the text plainly says it was hidden from ages and generations and is now revealed. He also connects this to chapter 2, verse 2, where hearts are comforted and knit together in love.
Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
More Questions
Who was the mystery hidden from and when was it revealed?
Colossians 1:26 states that the secret was hid from ages and generations but now is made manifest to God's saints, and Les notes it is plain language that cannot be made plainer.
What does Colossians 1:26 say happened to the mystery that had been hidden?
The mystery of Colossians 1:26 is a secret that was hidden from ages and from generations but is now made manifest.