OF CHRIST JESUS (Χριστου Ιησου). This order in the later epistles shows that Χριστος is now regarded as a proper name and not just a verbal adjective (Anointed One, Messiah). Paul describes himself because he is unknown to the Colossians, not because of attack as in Galatians 1:1.TIMOTHY (Τιμοθ... [ Continue Reading ]
AT COLOSSAE (εν Κολοσσαις). The spelling is uncertain, the MSS. differing in the title (Κολασσαεις) and here (Κολοσσαις). Colossae was a city of Phrygia on the Lycus, the tributaries of which brought a calcareous deposit of a peculiar kind that choked up the streams and made arches and fantastic... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD THE FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST (τω θεω πατρ του κυριου ημων Ιησου Χριστου). Correct text without κα (and) as in Colossians 3:17, though usually "the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Corinthians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 11:31; Romans 15:6; 1 Peter 1:3; Revelation 1:6). In verse Coloss... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVING HEARD OF (ακουσαντες). Literary plural unless Timothy is included. Aorist active participle of ακουω of antecedent action to ευχαριστουμεν. Epaphras (verse Colossians 1:8) had told Paul.YOUR FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST (την πιστιν υμων εν Ιησου Χριστω). See Ephesians 1:15 for similar phrase. N... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE OF THE HOPE (δια την ελπιδα). See Romans 8:24. It is not clear whether this phrase is to be linked with ευχα ιστουμεν at the beginning of verse Colossians 1:3 or (more likely) with την αγαπην just before. Note also here πιστις (faith), αγαπη (love), ελπις (hope), though not grouped togeth... [ Continue Reading ]
IN ALL THE WORLD (εν παντ τω κοσμω). A legitimate hyperbole, for the gospel was spreading all over the Roman Empire.IS BEARING FRUIT (εστιν καρποφορουμενον). Periphrastic present middle indicative of the old compound καρποφορεω, from καρποφορος (Acts 14:17) and that from καρπος and φερω. The pe... [ Continue Reading ]
OF EPAPHRAS (απο Επαφρα). "From Epaphras" who is the source of their knowledge of Christ.ON OUR BEHALF (υπερ ημων). Clearly correct (Aleph A B D) and not υπερ υμων (on your behalf). In a true sense Epaphras was Paul's messenger to Colossae.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO ALSO DECLARED (ο κα δηλωσας). Articular first aorist active participle of δηλοω, old verb, to make manifest. Epaphras told Paul about their "love in the Spirit," grounded in the Holy Spirit.... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT YE MAY BE FILLED WITH (ινα πληρωθητε). First aorist (effective) passive subjunctive of πληροω, to fill full.THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIS WILL (την επιγνωσιν του θεληματος αυτου). The accusative case is retained with this passive verb. Επιγνωσις is a _Koine_ word (Polybius, Plutarch, etc.) for addi... [ Continue Reading ]
TO WALK WORTHILY OF THE LORD (περιπατησα αξιως του Κυριου). This aorist active infinitive may express purpose or result. Certainly this result is the aim of the right knowledge of God. "The end of all knowledge is conduct" (Lightfoot). See 1 Thessalonians 2:12; Philippians 1:27; Ephesians 4:1 for... [ Continue Reading ]
STRENGTHENED (δυναμουμενο). Present passive participle of late verb δυναμοω (from δυναμις), to empower, "empowered with all power." In LXX and papyri and modern Greek. In N.T. only here and Hebrews 11:34 and MSS. in Ephesians 6:10 (W H in margin).ACCORDING TO THE MIGHT OF HIS GLORY (κατα το κρα... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO MADE US MEET (τω ικανωσαντ ημας). Or "you" (υμας). Dative case of the articular participle of ικανοω, late verb from ικανος and in N.T. only here and 2 Corinthians 3:6 (which see), "who made us fit or adequate for."TO BE PARTAKERS (εις μεριδα). "For a share in." Old word for share or portio... [ Continue Reading ]
DELIVERED (ερυσατο). First aorist middle indicative of ρυομα, old verb, to rescue. This appositional relative clause further describes God the Father's redemptive work and marks the transition to the wonderful picture of the person and work of Christ in nature and grace in verses Colossians 1:14-... [ Continue Reading ]
IN WHOM (εν ω). In Christ as in Ephesians 1:7. This great sentence about Christ carries on by means of three relatives (εν ω Colossians 1:14, ος Colossians 1:15, ος Colossians 1:18) and repeated personal pronoun (αυτος), twice with οτ (Colossians 1:15; Colossians 1:19), thrice with κα (Colossians... [ Continue Reading ]
THE IMAGE (εικων). In predicate and no article. On εικων, see 2 Corinthians 4:4; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Romans 8:29; Colossians 3:10. Jesus is the very stamp of God the Father as he was before the Incarnation (John 17:5) and is now (Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 1:3).OF THE INVISIBLE GOD (του θεου το... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL THINGS (τα παντα). The universe as in Romans 11:35, a well-known philosophical phrase. It is repeated at the end of the verse.IN HIM WERE CREATED (εν αυτω εκτισθη). Paul now gives the reason (οτ, for) for the primacy of Christ in the work of creation (Colossians 1:16). It is the constative a... [ Continue Reading ]
BEFORE ALL THINGS (προ παντων). Προ with the ablative case. This phrase makes Paul's meaning plain. The precedence of Christ in time and the preeminence as Creator are both stated sharply. See the claim of Jesus to eternal timeless existence in John 8:58; John 17:5. See also Revelation 23:13 wher... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HEAD OF THE BODY (η κεφαλη του σωματος). Jesus is first also in the spiritual realm as he is in nature (verses Colossians 1:18-20). Paul is fond of the metaphor of the body (σωμα) for believers of which body Christ is the head (κεφαλη) as seen already in 1 Corinthians 11:3; 1 Corinthians 12:12... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR IT WAS THE GOOD PLEASURE OF THE FATHER (οτ ευδοκησεν). No word in the Greek for "the Father," though the verb calls for either ο θεος or ο πατηρ as the subject. This verb ευδοκεω is common in the N.T. for God's will and pleasure (Matthew 3:17; 1 Corinthians 10:5).ALL THE FULNESS (παν το πληρ... [ Continue Reading ]
THROUGH HIM (δι' αυτου). As the sufficient and chosen agent in the work of reconciliation (αποκαταλλαξα, first aorist active infinitive of αποκαταλλασσω, further addition to ευδοκησεν, was pleased). This double compound (απο, κατα with αλλασσω) occurs only here, verse Colossians 1:22; Ephesians 2:... [ Continue Reading ]
AND YOU (κα υμας). Accusative case in a rather loose sentence, to be explained as the object of the infinitive παραστησα in verse Colossians 1:22 (note repeated υμας there) or as the anticipated object of αποκατηλλαξεν if that be the genuine form in verse Colossians 1:22. It can be the accusative... [ Continue Reading ]
YET NOW (νυν δε). Sharpened contrast with emphatic form of νυν, "now" being not at the present moment, but in the present order of things in the new dispensation of grace in Christ.HATH HE RECONCILED (αποκατηλλαξεν). First aorist (effective, timeless) active indicative (a sort of parenthetical... [ Continue Reading ]
IF SO BE THAT YE CONTINUE IN THE FAITH (ε γε επιμενετε τη πιστε). Condition of the first class (determined as fulfilled), with a touch of eagerness in the use of γε (at least). Επ adds to the force of the linear action of the present tense (continue and then some).PISTEI is in the locative case... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW I REJOICE (νυν χαιρομεν). This is not a new note for Paul. See him in jail in Philippi (Acts 16:25) and in 2 Corinthians 11:16-33; Romans 5:3; Philippians 2:18.FILL UP ON MY PART (ανταναπληρω). Very rare double compound verb (here only in N.T.) to fill (πληροω) up (ανα), in turn (αντ). It is... [ Continue Reading ]
ACCORDING TO THE DISPENSATION OF GOD (κατα την οικονομιαν του θεου). "According to the economy of God." An old word from οικονομεω, to be a house steward (οικοσ, νεμω) as in Luke 16:2-4; 1 Corinthians 9:17; Ephesians 1:9; Ephesians 3:9. It was by God's stewardship that Paul was made a minister of... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MYSTERY (το μυστηριον). See on 1 Corinthians 2:7 for this interesting word from μυστης (initiate), from μυεω, to wink, to blink. The Gnostics talked much of "mysteries." Paul takes their very word (already in common use, Matthew 13:11) and uses it for the gospel.WHICH HATH BEEN HID (το αποκ... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD WAS PLEASED (ηθελησεν ο θεος). First aorist active indicative of θελω, to will, to wish. "God willed" this change from hidden mystery to manifestation.TO MAKE KNOWN (γνωρισα). First aorist active infinitive of γνωριζω (from γινωσκω). Among the Gentiles (εν τοις εθνεσιν). This is the crownin... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOM (ον). That is, "Christ in you, the hope of glory."WE PROCLAIM (καταγγελλομεν). Paul, Timothy and all like-minded preachers against the Gnostic depreciation of Christ. This verb originally (Xenophon) meant to denounce, but in N.T. it means to announce (αγγελλω) throughout (κατα), to proclai... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREUNTO (εις ο). That is "to present every man perfect in Christ."I LABOUR ALSO (κα κοπιω). Late verb κοπιαω, from κοπος (toil), to grow weary from toil (Matthew 11:28), to toil on (Philippians 2:16), sometimes for athletic training. In papyri.STRIVING (αγωνιζομενος). Present middle partici... [ Continue Reading ]