B. The reconciling work of Christ 1:21-29

Paul continued his exposition of Christ's superiority with emphasis on His reconciling work. He did this to ground his readers further in the full truth of God's revelation so the false teachers among them would not lead them astray.

 1. As experienced by the Colossians 1:21-23

The apostle moved on next to the application of Christ's reconciliation.

1:21-22 The church at Colosse was predominantly a Gentile congregation as is evident from Paul's description of his readers' preconversion condition. Paul's reference to Christ's "fleshly body"may have helped him distinguish it from His spiritual body, the church (v. 18). He may also have mentioned it to contradict the false idea that Christ did not have a genuine physical body.⁷¹One of the heresies of the early church was Docetism. Docetists taught that Jesus only appeared to have a physical body. They based this view on the incorrect notion that physical flesh is inherently evil.

". . . such an emphasis would have been a bulwark against any Gnostic tendencies that attempted to question the reality of Christ's death: the firstborn of all creation attained his status as firstborn from the dead by experiencing the full reality of physical death."⁷²

"Holy"means set apart from sin. "Blameless"means without blemish or defect. "Beyond reproach"means totally without occasion for criticism. Paul was not speaking about the Christian's personal conduct but about his or her position in Christ.

1:23 "If"introduces a condition the writer assumed was true to reality for the sake of his argument (a first class condition in Greek). We could translate it, "Since."Paul assumed his readers would do what he described because perseverance is normalfor genuine believers (cf. 2 Cor. 5:17; Phil. 1:6; 1 John 2:19). However perseverance in the faith is not inevitable. Apostasy is a real possibility to which he alluded here (cf. 1 Tim. 4:1-2; et al.). It is necessary to abide in the faith to obtain a good report from the Lord at the judgment seat of Christ. This was Paul's concern for his readers here.⁷³

Paul was thinking of his readers as a building "firmly established"on the foundation of the apostles and prophets (Eph. 2:20). He saw them steadfastly rigid, not blown off their base by the winds of false doctrine (cf. Eph. 4:14). Since earthquakes were not uncommon in the Lycus Valley, Paul's statement may have reminded the Colossians of their security in another sense.⁷⁴

". . . the addressees are to remain as firmly seated on the gospel as a god in his temple or a skillful rider on a spirited horse."⁷⁵

The gospel had had wide circulation. "In all creation under heaven"must be hyperbole meaning it had gone everywhere in a general sense. Paul was contrasting the wide appeal and proclamation of the gospel with the exclusive appeal and comparatively limited circulation of the false teachers' message. "Minister"is servant (Gr. diakonos).

 2. As ministered by Paul 1:24-29

Paul had received a unique function to fulfill in the body of Christ. He ministered the gospel of reconciliation to unevangelized Gentiles primarily (v. 25). He explained his ministry to his readers so they would appreciate the reconciling work of God more deeply and to stimulate them to press on to maturity.