Third Millennium Study Bible
Notes on Colossians 1:23-2:7

If you continue in your faith . . . not moved from the hope - Colossians 1:23

Paul says, "if you continue in your faith." Paul is not expressing doubt as to whether the saints at Colosse will continue on; that is not what the Greek construction means. O'Brien paraphrases the idea: "At any rate if you stand firm in the faith - and I am sure you will." Anders states:

The "if" of Col. 1:23 should not be misunderstood. This verse is not saying that we will be presented holy and blameless if we remain faithful, as if our eternal salvation depends on our performance. The Greek construction of the "if" is not an expression of doubt but an expression of confidence and is better translated as "since." Paul is not in doubt about whether the Colossians will remain faithful (see Col. 2:5). He is confident that because they have understood what it means to be reconciled they will remain faithful to the gospel that reconciled them. He writes this as an expression of confidence and as a warning to avoid the religious fads of the false teachers of Colosse.

Hendriksen says:

Divine preservation always presupposes human perseverance. Perseverance proves faith's genuine character, and is therefore indispensable to salvation. To be sure, no one can continue in the faith in his own strength (John 15:5). The enabling grace of God is needed from start to finish (Phil. 2:12, 13). This, however, does not cancel human responsibility and activity. Yes, activity, continuous, sustained, strenuous effort (Heb. 12:14).

How are the Colossians continue in their faith? Positively, by being established and firm; negatively, by not being moved from the hope held out in the Gospel. Though false faith exists, true saving faith is persevering and enduring faith (Col. 1:11) that is anchored in hope (Col. 1:5). True faith and hope are in Christ alone. It is his gift to his people (Eph. 2:8-10). By grace, all true Christians will persevere unto the end (Rom. 8:29-30).

Paul makes the statement "proclaimed to every creature." This is an reference to a condition that must be be fulfilled before the consummation of the ages: the worldwide proclamation of the Gospel (Col. 1:6; cf. Matt. 24:14; Mark 13:10). This passage speaks of this as already having been completed (cf. Acts 1:8; 13:47; 28:28-31). Since God ordained this proclamation of the Gospel, by word and deed, it will happen and thus it is considered as completed! Still, by aiming his ministry around the Roman Empire, Paul saw himself (and the other apostles) as having reached the civilized world (Acts 19:10; Rom. 15:18-25), thus making possible the imminent return of Christ. See BC 29.

The Word of God in its Fulness - Colossians 1:24-2:7

After reminding the Colossians of the comic scope of Christ's lordship (Col. 1:15-20) and of the way Christ's redemptive work had come to bear on their lives (Col. 1:21-23), Paul turned to his own role in God's redemptive plan. He hoped his letter would establish a closer relationship between himself and the Colossians (most of whom he had never met), in order to help deliver them from the captivity of the "philosophy" prevalent among them (Col. 2:8).

Fill up . . . what is still lacking - Colossians 1:24

The sacrifice of Christ is totally sufficient. Nothing needs nor can be to be added to it. Paul's words do not mean that Christ's saving work on the Cross lacked sufficient merit to secure our salvation. Rather, Christ's suffering is "lacking" because of the divinely appointed necessity that the Church is called to suffer for and with Christ (2 Cor. 4:7-12; 1 Thess. 3:2-4). Bruce says:

The present context rules out any suggestion that the reconciliation effected by the death of Christ needs to be supplemented. Paul and his fellow-preachers, having themselves received the peace which was made through the blood of his cross, now fulfil their ministry by presenting that peace for acceptance by others. But in the fulfilment of that ministry they are exposed to sufferings for Christ's sake, and these sufferings are their share in the afflictions of Christ. There may be a hint in Paul's words that he is eager to receive more than his due share of those afflictions in order that there may be the less for his converts and other fellow-Christians to bear. So conscious was he of the special significance of his vocation to service and suffering.

In a very real sense, this ongoing suffering of the Church as the body of Christ is the sufferings of Christ himself (cf. Acts 9:4). Paul may have had in view here the intensification of sufferings to be borne by God's people in the last days (Matt. 24:21-22), the final stages of history, which were ushered in by the death and resurrection of Christ (Rom. 13:11-14; 1 Cor. 7:29). This is why Paul suffered "for the sake of" the church (2 Tim. 2:10; see also Eph. 3:13). As a servant of the Gospel, Paul rejoiced in his opportunity to participate in the sufferings of God's people.

Related Resources

• Universalism - Ephesians 1:10 and Colossians 1:20
• Will all mankind eventually be saved? (Isn't election unjust?)
• Predestination and Foreknowledge: Are People Predestined to Heaven and Hell?
• Election
• What is Reprobation?
• 20 Most Frequently Asked Bible Questions (Topic 16. Election, Providence, and Sovereignty?)
• The Test of Perseverance
• Make your calling and election sure - 2 Peter 1:10
• Perseverance of the Saints, by Boettner
• Perseverance of the Saints, by Girod
• Losing Your Salvation
• The Perseverance and Preservation of Believers: Can I Lose My Salvation?
• Hostile to God - Romans 8:7
• Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit: Can I Be Forgiven?
• The Cross - Sufficient or Lacking
• Begging for Bread? - Psalm 37:5