Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - Colossians 3:4 - 3:4

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Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - Colossians 3:4 - 3:4


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4. ὅταν ὁ χριστὸς φανερωθῇ κ.τ.λ. The connexion of thought with Col 3:3 is as follows: Concealment is necessarily only temporary (cf. Mar 4:22); a day is coming when Christ will be made known in His true character and power, i.e. His glory; but your life is now concealed with Him; yes, more than this, He Himself is our life; it therefore cannot but be that when He is manifested in glory you will be also. Observe that this verse not only developes the thought of κέκρυπται, but also by the magnificence of the hope supplies a further reason against being intent on things of earth. “Haec spes abstrahit a terrâ” (Beng.); cf. 1Jn 3:2-3.

ὅταν. No δέ, cf. Col 2:20. The very abruptness brings out the hope more vividly.

ὁ χριστὸς. The fourth time in Col 3:1-4. St Paul will do his utmost to help them to set their thoughts above.

φανερωθῇ, Col 1:26, note.

ἡ ζωὴ ἡμῶν. “This is an advance on the previous statement, ἡ ζωὴ ὑμῶν κέκρυπται σὺν τῷ χριστῷ, in two respects: (1) It is not enough to have said that the life is shared with Christ. The Apostle declares that the life is Christ. Compare 1Jn 5:12, ὁ ἔχων τὸν υἱὸν ἔχει τὴν ζωήν, Ign. Ephes. § 7, ἐν θανάτῳ ζωὴ ἀληθινή (of Christ), Smyrn. § 4, Ἰησοῦς Χριστὸς τὸ ἀληθινὸν ἡμῶν ζῆν; Ephes. § 3, Ἰησοῦς Χριστὸς τὸ ἀδιάκριτον ἡμῶν ζῆν; Magn. § 1, Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ τοῦ διὰ παντὸς ἡμῶν ζῆν. (2) For ὑμῶν is substituted ἡμῶν. The Apostle hastens to include himself among the recipients of the bounty” (Lightf.; cf. Col 1:13, Col 2:13).

τότε, 1Co 15:28. “Prius non debemus postulare” (Beng.).

καὶ ὑμεῖς. Here he reverts to the proper form of the argument, the more readily as he is speaking not of need but of honour.

σὺν αὐτῷ. Observe the position of these words, (1) to keep ἐν δόξῃ for final emphasis, (2) to lay stress on the closeness of the relation of “you” and “Him.”

They also take up σὺν τῷ χριστῷ of Col 3:3. As surely as your life is hidden with Christ while He is hidden, so shall you be manifested with Him when He is manifested; cf. 1Th 4:14; 1Th 4:17.

φανερωθήσεσθε ἐν δόξῃ. See notes on Col 1:11; Col 1:27.

For the thought cf. Rom 8:17; Php 3:21; 2Th 2:14; Heb 2:10; 1Pe 5:4; 1Pe 5:10. On the nature of the “glory” as regards believers, see Moule. Even the body shares in it, 1Co 15:43.