Colossians 1:22

Body of His flesh. Which consisted of flesh; without which there could have been no death (see next clause).

To present [π α ρ α σ τ η σ α ι]. Purpose of the reconciliation. Compare Romans 8:30. See on shewed himself, Acts 1:3. Compare Romans 12:1, where it is used of presenting a sacrifice. 192 Holy, unblamable, unreprovable [α γ ι ο υ ς, α μ ω μ ο υ ς, α ν ε γ κ λ η τ ο υ ς]. Holy, see on saints, Acts 26:10; Revelation 3:7. The fundamental idea of the word is separation unto God and from worldly defilement.

Unblamable, Rev. much better, without blemish. Compare Ephesians 1:4; Ephesians 5:27; and see on 1 Peter 1:19, and blemishes, 2 Peter 2:13. Unreprovable, not only actually free from blemish, but from the charge of it. See on 1 Corinthians 1:8, and compare 1 Timothy 6:14.

In His sight [κ α τ ε ω π ι ο ν α υ ο τ υ]. Rev., before Him. Him refers to God, not Christ. Whether the reference is to God's future judgment or to His present approval, can hardly be determined by the almost unexceptional usage of katenwpion before, in the latter sense, as is unquestionably the case in Ephesians 1:4. The simple ejnwpion before, is used in the former sense, Luke 12:9. Emprosqen before, occurs in both senses. The reference to the future judgment seems the more natural as marking the consummation of the redemptive work described in vers. 20 - 22. Compare 1 Thessalonians 3:13, and Ephesians 5:27, which corresponds with the figure of the bride, the Lamb's wife, in Revelation 21:9 sqq. This view is further warranted by the following words, if ye continue, etc., the final presentation being dependent on steadfastness. 193