Colossians
1:21-28—Through the
cross Christ reconciled those once estranged that they might be blameless
before God and Paul explains the purpose of his sufferings and ministry. Paul
explains so much in just a few verses. In Vv.21-23 Paul explains the nature of
the gospel, the way of salvation, with an appeal to remain steadfast in the
faith. In verse 24, there is the difficult passage concerning Paul’s sufferings
completing Christ’s afflictions. In Vv. 26-27 Paul speaks about the mystery of
the gospel. The purpose of one’s ministry, the goal of the church’s work is in
verse 28: “So we preach Christ to everyone…in order to bring each one into
God’s presence as a mature individual in union with Christ.” Maturity in Christ
is the goal in thinking, understanding, in attitude, and in practice.
Through the cross Christ reconciled those once
estranged that they might be blameless before God and Paul explains the purpose
of his sufferings and ministry.
In former years the Colossians had been fare from God “in
a foreign country” and enemies of Him according to their minds as expressed by
their evil deeds, but now they have been brought near because of Christ’s work
of reconciliation through which He presents them “holy and blameless” to
Himself. See Ephesians 2:1-10; Colossians 2:13
The Colossians will remain steadfast in faith when
they are sure in the hope of the Gospel, which is proclaimed throughout the
whole world; of this Gospel Paul himself became a servant (Colossians 1:23) He
worked hard at the call that he had received, V. 24 he fulfilled his office by following
Christ’s suffering, by sacrificing himself through his ministry to the church.
He was totally devoted to God’s Word now revealed to the LORD”s saints.
(vv.25-26) Christ is the mystery proclaimed as “the hope of glory” to all
nations, through whom everyone is presented as perfect in His sight, Vv. 27-28
Paul’s ministry stands at the center of this lesson.
It is not his person or performance but his service under God’s Word that is
and must be proclaimed to churches and individuals through preaching,
admonishing, and teaching. V. 28 This
message of Christ’s redeeming work leads people back from their lostness to sin
and Satan into saving communion with God.
For steadfast faith: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, because of Your tender
love toward us sinners You have given us Your Son that, believing in Him, we
might have everlasting life. Continue to grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may
remain steadfast in the faith to the end and finally come to love everlasting;
through Jesus Christ, our Lord.[2]
[2] Collect for steadfast faith in Christ, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. St. Louis
[3] Collect for Thursday of the week of Pentecost 6, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. II © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY
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