The message is called the secret he hid … but has now revealed. This “secret” or “mystery” is succinctly defined by J.A Robinson as “something that could not be know by men except by divine revelation, but that, though once hidden, has now been revealed in Christ and is to be proclaimed so that all who have ears may hear it.” (See especially Rom 16.25, 1 Cor 2.1, 4.1, Eph 3.3, 9; 6.19.) Lightfoot: “a truth which was once hidden but now is revealed.” The content of this secret truth is given at the end of verse 27.

It is normally possible to speak of “hiding an object” but difficult, if not impossible, to “hide a secret.” Furthermore, the term secret is often translated as “that which is not known” or “something which has not been told.” Accordingly, one may translate which is the secret he hid as “which is something which he kept people from knowing,” or “which he did not let people know about,” or “which he did not tell people about.”

This secret was hidden through all past ages from all mankind, (lit.) “from the ages and from the generations.” Revised Standard Version alternative rendering “from angels and men” is possible, since aiōn may be used to refer to the heavenly powers (as the singular is used in Eph 2.2). See the note in Translator’s New Testament. It seems likely that the two passives hid and revealed imply God as the actor: he hid (in the past) and he has revealed (now). For his people see 1.2.

Through all past ages may be expressed as “during all the time that is past,” or “during all the years that are no longer,” or “during all the days up to now.” In a number of languages, there is simply no equivalent for ages. One can, of course, describe ages as “successive long periods of time,” but in this context such an expression is not necessary.

From all mankind may be best expressed in close relationship to the verb hid, for example, “God kept all people from knowing.”

Since the secret involved was something which is communicated by words, one may translate has now revealed to his people as “has now told it to his people” or “has now spoken about it to his people.” One could also use a verb such as “show,” for example, “but he has now shown this to his people.”

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Colossians. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1977. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .