Colossians 1:22
But now He has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy, unblemished, and blameless in His presence--
But now
This phrase marks a significant transition from the past to the present reality of the believer's life. In the Greek, "nyni de" emphasizes the immediacy and current state of transformation. Historically, this reflects the shift from the old covenant to the new covenant established through Christ. It signifies the present moment of salvation and reconciliation, highlighting the urgency and importance of living in the reality of Christ's work.

He has reconciled you
The Greek word for "reconciled" is "apokatallasso," which means to restore a relationship to harmony. This term is used to describe the profound act of God bringing humanity back into a right relationship with Himself through Jesus Christ. In the historical context, reconciliation was a powerful concept, often used in diplomatic or familial settings to describe the restoration of peace. Spiritually, it underscores the divine initiative in mending the broken relationship caused by sin.

by Christ’s physical body
The phrase emphasizes the tangible, incarnate nature of Jesus. The Greek "sōmati" refers to the physical body, underscoring the reality of the incarnation. This is crucial in countering early heresies that denied Christ's physical existence. Historically, the physicality of Christ was essential for the atonement, as it fulfilled the sacrificial system of the Old Testament, where a physical, spotless lamb was required.

through death
This phrase highlights the means by which reconciliation was achieved. The Greek "thanatou" refers to death, specifically the sacrificial death of Christ on the cross. This was a pivotal event in history, fulfilling prophecies and establishing the new covenant. Theologically, it signifies the ultimate sacrifice, where Jesus bore the penalty of sin, offering redemption and forgiveness to all who believe.

to present you
The Greek "parastēsai" means to present or to stand beside. This implies an intentional act of bringing someone into a particular state or condition. In the context of this verse, it refers to the believer being presented before God. Historically, this echoes the priestly duties of presenting offerings before God, now fulfilled in Christ presenting believers as holy.

holy, unblemished, and blameless
These three adjectives describe the transformed state of the believer. "Holy" (Greek "hagios") means set apart for God, reflecting purity and dedication. "Unblemished" (Greek "amōmos") refers to being without defect, akin to the sacrificial animals in the Old Testament. "Blameless" (Greek "anegklētos") means free from accusation, highlighting the complete justification believers have in Christ. Together, these terms paint a picture of the believer's new identity in Christ, emphasizing the complete and perfect work of salvation.

in His presence
The Greek "katenōpion autou" means before Him or in His sight. This phrase underscores the intimate and personal relationship believers have with God through Christ. Historically, being in the presence of God was a privilege reserved for the high priest once a year. Now, through Christ, all believers have access to God's presence, signifying a restored relationship and the assurance of acceptance before Him.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul
The apostle who wrote the letter to the Colossians, addressing the church in Colossae.

2. Christ
Central figure in this verse, whose physical death and resurrection are the means of reconciliation.

3. Colossian Church
The recipients of the letter, a group of believers in the city of Colossae.

4. God
The one who initiates reconciliation through Christ.

5. Reconciliation
The event and process by which believers are restored to a right relationship with God through Christ's sacrifice.
Teaching Points
Reconciliation through Christ
Understand that reconciliation with God is solely through the physical death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is a foundational truth of the Christian faith.

Holiness and Blamelessness
Recognize that believers are called to live holy and blameless lives, reflecting the transformation that has occurred through Christ's sacrifice.

The Role of Christ's Physical Body
Appreciate the significance of Christ's physical body in the process of reconciliation, emphasizing the reality of His incarnation and sacrifice.

Living in God's Presence
Embrace the privilege of being presented before God as holy and blameless, which should inspire a life of gratitude and obedience.

The Ongoing Process of Sanctification
Acknowledge that while reconciliation is a completed act, sanctification is an ongoing process in the believer's life, requiring daily commitment and reliance on the Holy Spirit.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding reconciliation through Christ's physical body impact your view of salvation?

2. In what ways can you strive to live a holy and blameless life in your daily walk with God?

3. How does the concept of being presented "unblemished and blameless" before God influence your relationship with others?

4. What are some practical steps you can take to remain aware of God's presence in your life?

5. How can the truths in Colossians 1:22 encourage you to share the message of reconciliation with others?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Romans 5:10
Discusses reconciliation with God through the death of His Son, emphasizing the transformation from enemies to friends.

Ephesians 2:14-16
Speaks of Christ as our peace, breaking down the dividing wall and reconciling both Jews and Gentiles to God.

Hebrews 10:10
Highlights the sanctification of believers through the offering of Jesus Christ's body once for all.

2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Describes the ministry of reconciliation given to believers, emphasizing that God reconciled the world to Himself in Christ.

1 Peter 1:19
Refers to Christ as a lamb without blemish or defect, connecting to the idea of being presented unblemished.
Prayer Leading Up to the Person of ChristR. Finlayson Colossians 1:9-23
Christ All in AllU.R. Thomas Colossians 1:15-29
Fulness of Christ Cannot be SupplementedC. H. Spurgeon.Colossians 1:19-22
Fulness of Grace in ChristBishop Davenant.Colossians 1:19-22
No Limit to the Fulness in ChristT. Guthrie, D. D.Colossians 1:19-22
Peace by the Blood of ChristC. H. Spurgeon.Colossians 1:19-22
Peace Through the Blood of the CrossJ. Morison, D. D.Colossians 1:19-22
ReconciliationJ. Donne, D. D.Colossians 1:19-22
Reconciliation by ChristF.W. Robertson, M.A.Colossians 1:19-22
The AtonementW. M. Taylor, D. D.Colossians 1:19-22
The FulnessJ. Morison, D. D., T. Guthrie, D. D.Colossians 1:19-22
The Fulness of ChristCongregational RemembrancerColossians 1:19-22
The Fulness of ChristH. Brooke.Colossians 1:19-22
The Fulness of Christ the Treasury of the SaintsC. H. Spurgeon.Colossians 1:19-22
The Nature and Issues of ReconciliationJ. Spence, D. D.Colossians 1:19-22
The Personal Blessings of ReconciliationG. Barlow.Colossians 1:19-22
The ReconcilerT. Guthrie, D. DColossians 1:19-22
The Reconciling SonA. Maclaren, D. D.Colossians 1:19-22
The Reconciling Work of the Great MediatorG. Barlow.Colossians 1:19-22
Application of the Reconciliation to the Special Case of the ColossiansT. Croskery Colossians 1:21-23
Our ReconciliationW.F. Adneney Colossians 1:21-23
The Apostle's Comprehensive View of SalvationE.S. Prout Colossians 1:21-23
The Indwelling Christ the Believer's Hope of GloryR.M. Edgar Colossians 1:21-29
Holiness Through ChristNew Encyclopedia of AnecdotesColossians 1:22-23
The Ultimate Purpose of ReconciliationA. Maclaren, D. D.Colossians 1:22-23
People
Colossians, Epaphras, Paul, Thessalonians, Timotheus, Timothy
Places
Colossae, Philippi
Topics
Accusation, Beyond, Blameless, Blemish, Body, Bring, Christ's, Death, Evil, Faultless, Flesh, Fleshly, Free, Holy, Human, Irreproachable, Order, Physical, Presence, Present, Reconciled, Reproach-, Sight, Sin, Unblamable, Unblameable, Unblemished, Unreprovable, Unreproveable, Yet
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Colossians 1:22

     1065   God, holiness of
     1175   God, will of
     2033   Christ, humanity
     2212   Christ, head of church
     2595   incarnation
     5201   accusation
     6028   sin, deliverance from
     6118   blemish
     6163   faults
     6511   salvation
     6615   atonement, necessity
     6660   freedom, through Christ
     6662   freedom, abuse
     8201   blamelessness
     8272   holiness, growth in
     8322   perfection, human

Colossians 1:19-22

     5005   human race, and redemption
     7031   unity, God's goal

Colossians 1:20-22

     2414   cross, centrality
     6717   reconciliation, world to God

Colossians 1:21-22

     5110   Paul, teaching of
     6109   alienation
     6712   propitiation
     8278   innocence, teaching on

Colossians 1:21-23

     8022   faith, basis of salvation
     8707   apostasy, personal

Colossians 1:22-23

     5953   stability

Library
February 11. "Strengthened with all Might unto all Patience" (Col. I. 11).
"Strengthened with all might unto all patience" (Col. i. 11). The apostle prays for the Colossians, that they may be "strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness." It is one thing to endure and show the strain on every muscle of your face, and seem to say with every wrinkle, "Why does not somebody sympathize with me?" It is another to endure the cross, "despising the shame" for the joy set before us. There are some trees in the
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

February 18. "Christ in You" (Col. I. 27).
"Christ in you" (Col. i. 27). How great the difference between the old and the new way of deliverance! One touch of Christ is worth a lifetime of struggling. A sufferer in one of our hospitals was in danger of losing his sight from a small piece of broken needle that had entered his eye. Operation after operation had only irritated it, and driven the foreign substance farther still into the delicate nerves of the sensitive organ. At length a skilful young physician thought of a new expedient. He
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

Twenty Fourth Sunday after Trinity Prayer and Spiritual Knowledge.
Text: Colossians 1, 3-14. 3 We give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have toward all the saints, 5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, 6 which is come unto you; even as it is also in all the world bearing fruit and increasing, as it doth in you also, since the day ye heard and knew the grace of God
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

'All Power'
'Strengthened with all power, according to the might of His glory, unto all patience and longsuffering with joy.'--COL. i. 11 (R.V.). There is a wonderful rush and fervour in the prayers of Paul. No parts of his letters are so lofty, so impassioned, so full of his soul, as when he rises from speaking of God to men to speaking to God for men. We have him here setting forth his loving desires for the Colossian Christians in a prayer of remarkable fulness and sweep. Broadly taken, it is for their perfecting
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Thankful for Inheritance
'Giving thanks unto the Father, who made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.'--COL. i. 12 (R.V.) It is interesting to notice how much the thought of inheritance seems to have been filling the Apostle's mind during his writing of Ephesians and Colossians. Its recurrence is one of the points of contact between them. For example, in Ephesians, we read, 'In whom also were made a heritage' (i. 11); 'An earnest of our inheritance' (i. 14); 'His inheritance in the saints'
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Saints, Believers, Brethren
' . . . The saints and faithful brethren in Christ.'--COL. i. 2. 'The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch,' says the Acts of the Apostles. It was a name given by outsiders, and like most of the instances where a sect, or school, or party is labelled with the name of its founder, it was given in scorn. It hit and yet missed its mark. The early believers were Christians, that is, Christ's men, but they were not merely a group of followers of a man, like many other groups of whom the
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Christian Endeavour
'I also labour, striving according to His working, which worketh in me mightily.'--COL. i. 29. I have chosen this text principally because it brings together the two subjects which are naturally before us to-day. All 'Western Christendom,' as it is called, is to-day commemorating the Pentecostal gift. My text speaks about that power that 'worketh in us mightily.' True, the Apostle is speaking in reference to the fiery energy and persistent toil which characterised him in proclaiming Christ, that
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Gospel-Hope
'The hope of the Gospel.'--COL. i. 5. 'God never sends mouths but He sends meat to feed them,' says the old proverb. And yet it seems as if that were scarcely true in regard to that strange faculty called Hope. It may well be a question whether on the whole it has given us more pleasure than pain. How seldom it has been a true prophet! How perpetually its pictures have been too highly coloured! It has cast illusions over the future, colouring the far-off hills with glorious purple which, reached,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Next Performance is Mainly Directed against Faith in the Church...
The next performance is mainly directed against faith in the Church, as a society of Divine origin. "The Rev. Henry Bristow Wilson, B.D., Vicar of Great Staughton, Hunts," claims that a National Church shall be regarded as a purely secular Institution,--the spontaneous development of the State. "If all priests and ministers of religion could at one moment be swept from the face of the Earth, they would soon be reproduced [76] ." The Church is concerned with Ethics, not with Divinity. It should therefore
John William Burgon—Inspiration and Interpretation

All Fulness in Christ
The text is a great deep, we cannot explore it, but we will voyage over its surface joyously, the Holy Spirit giving us a favorable wind. Here are plenteous provisions far exceeding, those of Solomon, though at the sight of that royal profusion, Sheba's queen felt that there was no more spirit in her, and declared that the half had not been told to her. It may give some sort of order to our thoughts if they fall under four heads. What is here spoken of--"all fullness." Where is it placed--"in him,"
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

Thankful Service.
(Twenty-fourth Sunday after Trinity.) COL. i. 12. "Giving thanks." In one of our northern coal-pits there was a little boy employed in a lonely and dangerous part of the mine. One day a visitor to the coal-pit asked the boy about his work, and the child answered, "Yes, it is very lonely here, but I pick up the little bits of candle thrown away by the colliers, and join them together, and when I get a light I sing." My brothers, every day of our lives we are picking up blessings which the loving
H. J. Wilmot-Buxton—The Life of Duty, a Year's Plain Sermons, v. 2

Twenty-Third Day for the Holy Spirit in Your Own Work
WHAT TO PRAY.--For the Holy Spirit in your own Work "I labour, striving according to His working, which worketh in me mightily."--COL. i. 29. You have your own special work; make it a work of intercession. Paul laboured, striving according to the working of God in him. Remember, God is not only the Creator, but the Great Workman, who worketh all in all. You can only do your work in His strength, by Him working in you through the Spirit. Intercede much for those among whom you work, till God gives
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession

Knowledge and Obedience.
"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 long-suffering with joyfulness; giving thanks unto the Father."--COL. i. 9-12. The Epistles
W. H. Griffith Thomas—The Prayers of St. Paul

The Inheritance.
Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.--Ep. to the Colossians i. 12. To have a share in any earthly inheritance, is to diminish the share of the other inheritors. In the inheritance of the saints, that which each has, goes to increase the possession of the rest. Hear what Dante puts in the mouth of his guide, as they pass through Purgatory:-- Perche s'appuntano i vostri desiri Dove per compagnia parte si scema, Invidia muove
George MacDonald—Unspoken Sermons

The Disciple, -- Master, if Thou Wouldst Make a Special Manifestation of Thyself to The...
The Disciple,--Master, if Thou wouldst make a special manifestation of Thyself to the world, men would no longer doubt the existence of God and Thy own divinity, but all would believe and enter on the path of righteousness. The Master,--1. My son, the inner state of every man I know well, and to each heart in accordance with its needs I make Myself known; and for bringing men into the way of righteousness there is no better means than the manifestation of Myself. For man I became man that he might
Sadhu Sundar Singh—At The Master's Feet

Victory Found
AT THE close of this little volume it seems fitting to recount again a wonderful personal experience, narrated in The Sunday School Times of December 7, 1918. I do not remember the time when I did not have in some degree a love for the Lord Jesus Christ as my Saviour. When not quite twelve years of age, at a revival meeting, I publicly accepted and confessed Christ as my Lord and Master. From that time there grew up in my heart a deep yearning to know Christ in a more real way, for he seemed so unreal,
Rosalind Goforth—How I Know God Answers Prayer

section 3
But we will go back from this glimpse of God's ultimate purpose for us, to watch the process by which it is reached, so far as we can trace it in the ripening of the little annuals. The figure will not give us all the steps by which God gets His way in the intricacies of a human soul: we shall see no hint in it of the cleansing and filling that is needed in sinful man before he can follow the path of the plant. It shows us some of the Divine principles of the new life rather than a set sequence of
I. Lilias Trotter—Parables of the Christ-life

Christ and Man in the Atonement
OUR conception of the relations subsisting between God and man, of the manner in which these relations are affected by sin, and particularly of the Scripture doctrine of the connection between sin and death, must determine, to a great extent, our attitude to the Atonement. The Atonement, as the New Testament presents it, assumes the connection of sin and death. Apart from some sense and recognition of such connection, the mediation of forgiveness through the death of Christ can only appear an arbitrary,
James Denney—The Death of Christ

The Mystical Union with Immanuel.
"Christ in you the hope of glory." --Col. i. 27. The union of believers with Christ their Head is not effected by instilling a divine-human life-tincture into the soul. There is no divine-human life. There is a most holy Person, who unites in Himself the divine and the human life; but both natures continue unmixed, unblended, each retaining its own properties. And since there is no divine-human life in Jesus, He can not instil it into us. We do heartily acknowledge that there is a certain conformity
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

A Preliminary Discourse to Catechising
'If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled.' - Col 1:23. Intending next Lord's day to enter upon the work of catechising, it will not be amiss to give you a preliminary discourse, to show you how needful it is for Christians to be well instructed in the grounds of religion. If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled.' I. It is the duty of Christians to be settled in the doctrine of faith. II. The best way for Christians to be settled is to be well grounded. I. It is the duty of Christians
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Fourthly; all the [Credenda, Or] Doctrines, which the True, Simple, and Uncorrupted Christian Religion Teaches,
(that is, not only those plain doctrines which it requires to be believed as fundamental and of necessity to eternal salvation, but even all the doctrines which it teaches as matters of truth,) are, though indeed many of them not discoverable by bare reason unassisted with revelation; yet, when discovered by revelation, apparently most agreeable to sound unprejudiced reason, have every one of them a natural tendency, and a direct and powerful influence to reform men's minds, and correct their manners,
Samuel Clarke—A Discourse Concerning the Being and Attributes of God

The Best Things Work for Good to the Godly
WE shall consider, first, what things work for good to the godly; and here we shall show that both the best things and the worst things work for their good. We begin with the best things. 1. God's attributes work for good to the godly. (1). God's power works for good. It is a glorious power (Col. i. 11), and it is engaged for the good of the elect. God's power works for good, in supporting us in trouble. "Underneath are the everlasting arms" (Deut. xxxiii. 27). What upheld Daniel in the lion's den?
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial

Of Love to God
I proceed to the second general branch of the text. The persons interested in this privilege. They are lovers of God. "All things work together for good, to them that love God." Despisers and haters of God have no lot or part in this privilege. It is children's bread, it belongs only to them that love God. Because love is the very heart and spirit of religion, I shall the more fully treat upon this; and for the further discussion of it, let us notice these five things concerning love to God. 1. The
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial

The Rise of the Assyrian Empire
PHOENICIA AND THE NORTHERN NATIONS AFTER THE DEATH OP RAMSES III.--THE FIRST ASSYRIAN EMPIRE: TIGLATH-PILESUR I.--THE ARAMAEANS AND THE KHATI. The continuance of Egyptian influence over Syrian civilization after the death of Ramses III.--Egyptian myths in Phoenicia: Osiris and Isis at Byblos--Horus, Thot, and the origin of the Egyptian alphabet--The tombs at Arvad and the Kabr-Hiram; Egyptian designs in Phoenician glass and goldsmiths'work--Commerce with Egypt, the withdrawal of Phoenician colonies
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6

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