Expert: Paul Walker - 3/10/2006

Question
hey
i was wondering if i could get this passage translated to modern english and what it means many thanks

Passage Colossians 1:17-22:
17He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
   21Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of[a] your evil behavior. 22But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—


thanks josh  

Answer
In Studying the Scriptures you need to remember your grammar lessons and read and study it sentence by sentence. A sentence is the smallest unit of grammar that has definite meaning, verse numbering has no effect upon this truth. The following is one sentence.

Col 1:9-17 (KJV) For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;  (10)  That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;  (11)  Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;  (12)  Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:  (13)  Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:  (14)  In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:  (15)  Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:  (16)  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:  (17)  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

Verses 14-17 is a modifier of God's "dear Son". God glorified the Son and put him above and before all things. He, the Son being the creator of all things. He who honors the Son honors the Father, he who does not, doesn't.

The next sentence is verses 19-20.

Col 1:19-20  For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;  (20)  And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

Which continues to explain the previous modifying clause. It please God to put all in Christ, in him all fulness dwells. That is being the very image of the invisible God, v 15; God manifested in the flesh. All fulness.

If you will go to my site there is a study on verses 21-29, it may help you. http://www.aficj.org/aficj1/eternalsec/col1-23.php

Hope this helps.

Your Servant in Christ Jesus,
Paul Walker
paulwalker@aficj.org