To present every person perfect in Christ.

 

To present every person perfect in Christ.

 

Colossians 1:21–23: "Once (*pote*) you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—if you continue in your faith (*te pistei*), established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that was proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a servant."

The word *pote* (ποτε) signifies a specific time in the past; an example of its usage can be found in Hebrews 1:5: "For to which of the angels did God ever say, 'You are my Son; today I have become your Father' (*pote*)? Or again, 'I will be his Father, and he will be my Son'?"

Therefore, the phrase "once" (or "formerly") does not refer to a time within this world, but rather to the time before birth into this world—specifically, the time spent as an angel in the Kingdom of God. "Evil behavior" refers to the actions of evil angels who, desiring to become like God, rebelled against Him; consequently, their spirits became confined within flesh and they were born as human beings in this world.

2 Peter 2:4 states: "For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment..." Their spirits had departed from God and become His enemies. Thus, humans born into this world were left in a state where they could neither know nor comprehend God.

It is only when humans—who were once enemies of God—hear and understand God’s word, repent, and turn back, that reconciliation is achieved through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross.

There is no reconciliation without repentance; repentance must necessarily follow. God does not forgive sinners unconditionally; rather, He forgives those who repent and turn back through the blood of His Son, granting them resurrection life and causing them to be reborn with a spiritual body. Therefore, repentance signifies dying on the cross together with Jesus.

Repentance occurs when one realizes that, having opposed God, one was a being destined for death; it is when one turns back and believes that the Jesus hanging on the cross is, in fact, oneself, that God bestows His grace.

The phrase *en tō sōmati tēs sarkos* (ἐν τῷ σώματι τῆς σαρκὸς) means "within the body of His flesh," referring to the church as His body. This implies a church that has become merely religious and has forgotten God's will. Reconciliation with God is achieved when one casts aside this religious mindset and returns to the essence. In other words, reconciliation takes place when believers return to the reality of Jesus' death on the cross and restore the gospel of the cross.

Being holy and blameless signifies being reborn with resurrection life. Without being born again of the Holy Spirit, one cannot become a holy being. We must realize that, no matter how much effort one exerts, a human being cannot attain holiness on their own.

The term *tē pistei* (τῇ πίστει)—"by faith"—refers to the faith of Jesus Christ. It is a faith that involves dying on the cross in accordance with the will of God the Father and being resurrected by God. The hope of the Gospel is reconciliation with God.

Colossians 1:24–25: "Now I rejoice in my sufferings (*pathemasin*) for your sake, and in my flesh I fill up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions (*thlipseon*) for the sake of his body, the church. I became a servant of the church by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness (*plerosai ton logon tou Theou*)."

*Pathemasin* (παθήμασιν) corresponds to the English word "passion" and signifies the suffering endured while advancing the work of the Gospel.

*Thlipseon* (θλίψεων) relates to the concept of a "push." ​​It refers to God pushing the saints toward His throne. Thus, the difficulty lies not in the "remaining sufferings of Christ" itself, but in the struggle to move forward—being pushed—through Christ toward the throne of God. Consequently, Paul declares that he will first approach God on the throne and then supply what is lacking in the saints.

*Plerosai ton logon tou Theou* (πληρῶσαι τὸν λόγον τοῦ θεοῦ) means to fully realize or fulfill the word of *ho Logos*. Paul is saying he does this for the sake of the saints. Through *hypomone* (steadfast endurance), Paul communes with *ho Logos*—who dwells within the spirit—and seeks to impart the fullness of reconciliation to the saints who are lacking. He identifies this as the apostolic calling. Yet, he notes that this is a mystery. Colossians 1:26–27: "This mystery, which has been hidden for ages and generations, is now revealed to His saints. God willed to make known to them the glorious riches of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."

This mystery lies hidden within the predestination of Christ; it involves the *Logos* entering the hearts of the saints to converse like a friend, sowing the seed of the Gospel according to His will, and nurturing it with nourishment.

God intended to reveal this mystery to the Jews, but they failed to discover Christ; consequently, God made the mystery known to the Gentiles. When they realize that Christ has entered and is present within their hearts, they come to understand the spiritual richness of that reality.

Colossians 1:28–29: "We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end, I labor and strive according to the working of Him who works powerfully within me."

*Parastēsōmen* (παραστήσωμεν) means to set someone beside [Him]—to present them as perfect in Christ. The phrase "according to the working of Him who works powerfully within me" implies that it is not I who am doing the work, but rather He who is working through me by the power of the Holy Spirit.