PrevColossians 1:20Next

Colossians 1

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,

To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,

Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints,

For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;

Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:

As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;

Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.

For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:

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;

Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:

To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

What does Colossians 1:20 mean?

Explanation

This verse from Colossians 1:20 emphasizes the reconciliatory work of Jesus Christ through his crucifixion, highlighting the divine intention to restore harmony within the entire cosmos.

The phrase "having made peace through the blood of his cross" reflects the Christian belief that Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross was the means by which God achieved peace between Himself and fallen creation.

The latter part, "by him to reconcile all things unto himself," suggests that Christ's redemptive work extends beyond individuals to all elements of creation – things on earth and in the heavens.

This signifies not just a personal redemption but a cosmic one, suggesting that all of creation is included in God's salvific plan.

The mention of "blood" is significant in the Jewish religious context because blood was seen as a purifying and sanctifying substance used in sacrificial rites for atonement (the removal of sin and restoration of relationship with God).

Top Rated Colossians Books

Historical Context

The book of Colossians is an epistle, or letter, traditionally attributed to the Apostle Paul, and is thought to have been written between A.D. 55 and 60 while Paul was in prison. The letter was addressed to the Christian community in Colossae, a city in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey).

Christians at that time were surrounded by various religious and philosophical teachings, and there was a danger of believers being led away from the core teachings of Christianity.

Gnostic thought, which valued the spiritual over the material and often depicted the physical world as evil, may have influenced this community.

Paul wrote to reaffirm the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ in the face of such challenges and to correct any beliefs that might have devalued the significance of Jesus' physical incarnation and death on the cross.

Theological Insights

Different theological viewpoints offer various insights into this verse:

Orthodox and Catholic Views: They may emphasize the cosmic scope of Christ's atonement, the importance of the physical event of crucifixion, and its implications for the sacramental life of the Church.
Evangelical Protestant Views: A focus might be placed on the personal relationship between the believer and God that has been restored through Jesus' sacrifice.
Liberal Christian Theology: Such theologians might be more focused on the ethical and metaphorical implications of reconciliation, rather than a literal blood atonement.
Reformed Theology: This perspective might highlight the sovereignty of God in the reconciliation of all things and the doctrine of election in the context of cosmic restoration.

Practical Applications

This verse can be applied to daily life in several ways:

Peace and Reconciliation: It encourages individuals to seek peace and reconciliation in relationships, mirroring the reconciliation between God and humanity achieved by Christ.
Stewardship of Creation: The idea that all things are reconciled to Christ suggests a call for humans to take care of the earth and its creatures responsibly.
Hope in Restoration: No matter the brokenness experienced in life and the world, this verse offers hope that in Christ, everything can be made right.

Cross-References

[Ephesians 2:13-16](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+2%3A13-16&version=KJV): "But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ."
[2 Corinthians 5:18](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+5%3A18&version=KJV): "And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;"
[Romans 5:10](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+5%3A10&version=KJV): "For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life."

Language Study

Peace: The Greek word for peace, "eirēnē," often refers to a state of tranquility or harmony.

In this context, it signifies the end of conflict between God and creation.

Blood of his cross: "Blood" translates from the Greek “haima,” often used metaphorically to denote life and sacrifice.

"Cross" or "stauros" indicates the method of Christ's execution and is symbolic of the Christian sacrifice.

Reconcile: The Greek verb “apokatallassō” indicates the complete restoration of a relationship that has been broken or altered, particularly in reference to the divine-human relationship.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Ancient myths often feature gods interacting with humanity through violence or rivalry, while the Christian narrative revolves around a God who seeks to restore peace through self-sacrifice.

This contrast accentuates the uniqueness of the Christian claim that God is actively working toward repairing the brokenness in the world, as opposed to demonstrating power or dominance over humanity.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, this verse does not directly engage with empirical science.

However, the theme of restoration may resonate with ecological and environmental science, where the reconciliation of humanity with the earth is essential for sustainable living.

The scientific understanding of interconnectivity and the need for harmony in ecosystems can parallel the theological principle of reconciliation portrayed in this verse.

Commentaries

Commentary from theological experts often highlights varying facets of this verse:

Traditional: Classic commentaries generally take the atonement as a literal and necessary act to satisfy divine justice and reconcile creation to God.
Progressive: Some modern commentators may interpret this verse as expressing God's intention to bring about healing and restoration rather than a legalistic remedy for sin.
Historical-Critical: Such scholars might focus on Paul's language and context to determine how the early Christians understood the work of Christ and its cosmic significance.

Expert insights may diverge widely, reflecting the rich tapestry of interpretations throughout Christian history and thought.

Colossians 1

Colossians 1

What does Colossians 1:20 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Colossians Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Colossians 1:20 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Colossians Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?