Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - Colossians 1:5 - 1:5
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Because of the hope (dia tēn elpida). See note on Rom 8:24. It is not clear whether this phrase is to be linked with eucha istoumen at the beginning of Col 1:3 or (more likely) with tēn agapēn just before. Note also here pistis (faith), agapē (love), elpis (hope), though not grouped together so sharply as in 1Co 13:13. Here hope is objective, the goal ahead.
Laid up (apokeimeinēn). Literally, “laid away or by.” Old word used in Luk 19:20 of the pound laid away in a napkin. See also apothēsaurizō, to store away for future use (1Ti 6:19). The same idea occurs in Mat 6:20 (treasure in heaven) and 1Pe 1:4 and it is involved in Phi 3:20.
Ye heard before (proēkousate). First aorist indicative active of this old compound proakouō, though only here in the N.T. Before what? Before Paul wrote? Before the realization? Before the error of the Gnostics crept in? Each view is possible and has advocates. Lightfoot argues for the last and it is probably correct as is indicated by the next clause.
In the word of the truth of the gospel (en tōi logōi tēs alētheias tou euaggeliou). “In the preaching of the truth of the gospel” (Gal 2:5, Gal 2:14) which is come (parontos, present active participle agreeing with euaggeliou, being present, a classical use of pareimi as in Act 12:20). They heard the pure gospel from Epaphras before the Gnostics came.