Robertson Word Pictures - Colossians 1:23 - 1:23

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Robertson Word Pictures - Colossians 1:23 - 1:23


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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

If so be that ye continue in the faith (ei ge epimenete tēi pistei). Condition of the first class (determined as fulfilled), with a touch of eagerness in the use of ge (at least). Epi adds to the force of the linear action of the present tense (continue and then some).

Pistei is in the locative case (in faith).

Grounded (tethemeliōmenoi). Perfect passive participle of themelioō, old verb from themelios (adjective, from thema from tithēmi, laid down as a foundation, substantive, 1Co 3:11.). Picture of the saint as a building like Eph 2:20.

Steadfast (hedraioi). Old adjective from hedra (seat). In N.T. only here, 1Co 7:37; 1Co 15:58. Metaphor of seated in a chair.

Not moved away (mē metakinoumenoi). Present passive participle (with negative mē) of metakineō, old verb, to move away, to change location, only here in N.T. Negative statement covering the same ground.

From the hope of the gospel (apo tēs elpidos tou euaggeliou). Ablative case with apo. The hope given by or in the gospel and there alone.

Which ye heard (hou ēkousate). Genitive case of relative either by attraction or after ēkousate. The Colossians had in reality heard the gospel from Epaphras.

Preached (kēruchthentos). First aorist passive participle of kērussō, to herald, to proclaim.

In all creation (en pasēi ktisei). Ktisis is the act of founding (Rom 1:20) from ktizō (Col 1:16), then a created thing (Rom 1:25), then the sum of created things as here and Rev 3:14. It is hyperbole, to be sure, but Paul does not say that all men are converted, but only that the message has been heralded abroad over the Roman Empire in a wider fashion than most people imagine.

A minister (diakonos). General term for service (dia, konis, raising a dust by speed) and used often as here of preachers like our “minister” today, one who serves. Jesus used the verb diakonēsai of himself (Mar 10:45). Our “deacon” is this word transliterated and given a technical meaning as in Phi 1:1.