Colossians 1:21-23

Bill Ross wross at farmerstel.com
Thu Dec 16 14:38:50 EST 1999


The term "reconciled" APOKATHLLAXEV does not have the same sense as in 
"reconciled" in English. Etymologically it comes from tearing down a wall. 
The sense is that one person tore down their side of the wall, not that two 
were reunited into unity. Hence...

2 Cor 6:
18  And all things are of God, who **hath reconciled** us to himself by 
Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19  To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not 
imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of 
reconciliation.
20  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you 
by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, **be ye** reconciled [tear down your 
side of the wall] to God.
21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we **might 
be** [subjunctive] made the righteousness of God in him.
6:1  We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye 
receive not the grace of God in vain.

We see the same in Romans 5:

10  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.

As to Colossians, the whole language used in the passage is one of building 
or drifting:

"if you continue...grounded...settled...not being moved away..."

In his summary, he uses the subjunctive about his presenting, showing that 
he does not consider it a "done deal" but the fruit of his labors of 
faithful announcing, warning and teaching...

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

And how could Paul speak confidently of their future not "moving away" 
since he said that many would!

So, EI is "if" and definitely not "since."





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