Colossians 1:21

Paul’s Goal in Ministry

1:21 And you were at one time strangers and enemies in your minds as expressed through your evil deeds,

Colossians 1:23

1:23 if indeed you remain in the faith, established and firm, without shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard. This gospel has also been preached in all creation under heaven, and I, Paul, have become its servant.


tn The article τῇ (th) has been translated as a possessive pronoun (ExSyn 215).

tn Although διανοία (dianoia) is singular in Greek, the previous plural noun ἐχθρούς (ecqrous) indicates that all those from Colossae are in view here.

tn The dative ἐν τοῖς ἔργοις τοῖς πονηροῖς (en toi" ergoi" toi" ponhroi") is taken as means, indicating the avenue through which hostility in the mind is revealed and made known.

tn BDAG 276 s.v. ἑδραῖος suggests “firm, steadfast.”

tn BDAG 639 s.v. μετακινέω suggests “without shifting from the hope” here.