Colossians 1:26

The Word mystery (Greek mysterion) has nothing to do with secret societies or special knowledge needed to be enlightened (Gnostic teaching), but with a biblical concept that was hidden in the Old Testament teachings that became clear in the New Testament.[1]

The concept has an Old Testament backing in the Aramaic portion of the book of Daniel. We see such examples of this concept in accounts such as Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in Daniel 2. First, the dream and meaning are hidden and then is explained by Daniel (from a direct revelation from God). The Qumran community used this technique often.[2] According to this principle, God had made known His purposes to the Old Testament prophets, but He held back a part of the information – the time that this prophecy would be revealed.[3]

This was not something that only Paul was understanding, he says that it was being revealed (Greek phaneroo), or become visible in the sense of one gaining understanding to other believers also. 

Prayer: Most Holy God, I thank You that You have willed for me to know and understand Your plan and purposes. I pray for the insight and knowledge that Your Spirit will give, the wisdom to see beyond the immediate to the eternal. I praise You and worship Your Holy name. Amen.

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[1] Consider Romans 16:25 and 1 Cor. 2:7-10 

[2] See - Bruce, F. F. The Epistles to the Colossians, to Philemon, and to the Ephesians. Grand Rapids: Eerdman's Publishing Co, 1984. Page 84. Also, Allen, Clifton J., ed. The Broadman Bible Commentary. Vol. 11. Nashville: Broadman Press, 1971. Page 232. 

[3] We can see another example of Paul’s use of the word mystery. In Ephesians 1:9 – 10 Paul wrote, “making known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him unto a dispensation of the fulness of the times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens, and the things upon the earth; in him, I say….”