Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Colossians 1:23
"If" introduces a condition the writer assumed was true to reality for the sake of his argument (a first class condition in Greek). We could translate it, "Since." Paul assumed his readers would do what he described because perseverance is normal for genuine believers (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:17; Philippians 1:6; 1 John 2:19). [Note: Herbert M. Carson, The Epistles of Paul to the Colossians and Philemon, p. 48.] However perseverance in the faith is not inevitable. Apostasy is a real possibility to... read more
Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Colossians 1:21-29
B. The reconciling work of Christ 1:21-29Paul continued his exposition of Christ’s superiority with emphasis on His reconciling work. He did this to ground his readers further in the full truth of God’s revelation so the false teachers among them would not lead them astray. read more