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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - Colossians 1:20 - 1:20
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Through him (di' autou). As the sufficient and chosen agent in the work of reconciliation (apokatallaxai, first aorist active infinitive of apokatallassō, further addition to eudokēsen, was pleased). This double compound (apo, kata with allassō) occurs only here, Col 1:22; Eph 2:16, and nowhere else so far as known. Paul’s usual word for “reconcile” is katallassō (2Co 5:18-20; Rom 5:10), though diallassō (Mat 5:24) is more common in Attic. The addition of apo here is clearly for the idea of complete reconciliation. See note on 2Co 5:18-20 for discussion of katallassō, Paul’s great word. The use of ta panta (the all things, the universe) as if the universe were somehow out of harmony reminds us of the mystical passage in Rom 8:19-23 which see for discussion. Sin somehow has put the universe out of joint. Christ will set it right.
Unto himself (eis auton). Unto God, though auton is not reflexive unless written hauton.
Having made peace (eirēnopoiēsas). Late and rare compound (Pro 10:10 and here only in N.T.) from eirēnopoios, peacemaker (Mat 5:9; here only in N.T.). In Eph 2:15 we have poiōn eirēnēn (separate words) making peace. Not the masculine gender, though agreeing with the idea of Christ involved even if plērōma be taken as the subject of eudokēsen, a participial anacoluthon (construction according to sense as in Col 2:19). If theos be taken as the subject of eudokēsen the participle eirēnopoiēsas refers to Christ, not to theos (God).
Through the blood of his cross (dia tou haimatos tou staurou autou). This for the benefit of the Docetic Gnostics who denied the real humanity of Jesus and as clearly stating the causa medians (Ellicott) of the work of reconciliation to be the Cross of Christ, a doctrine needed today.
Or things in the heavens (eite ta en tois ouranois). Much needless trouble has been made over this phrase as if things in heaven were not exactly right. It is rather a hypothetical statement like Col 1:16 not put in categorical form (Abbott), universitas rerum (Ellicott).