King James Bible
"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;"
Paul identifies himself as a servant of the church, using 'minister' (diakonos) to emphasize his role as one who serves rather than rules. This connects to his previous discussion of the church as Christ's body, showing his dedication to its welfare. Paul's ministry operates under a divine stewardship (oikonomia)—a specific responsibility entrusted by God for the Colossians' benefit. This highlights that his apostolic authority comes not from self-appointment but from God's sovereign assignment, particularly focused on Gentile inclusion. The purpose of Paul's stewardship is to complete or make full God's word, likely referring to revealing the mystery of Christ to the Gentiles. This 'fulfilling' suggests bringing God's redemptive plan to its intended scope by proclaiming the gospel to all nations.