17 He [1] is before all things , and in Him all things [2]hold together . 18 He is also head of the body , the church ; and He is the beginning , the firstborn from the dead , so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything . 19 For [3]it was the Father's good pleasure for all the [4]fullness to dwell in Him, 20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself , having made peace through the blood of His cross ; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in [5]heaven .
21 And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind , engaged in evil deeds , 22 yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death , in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach - 23 if indeed you continue in [6]the faith firmly established and steadfast , and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard , which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven , and of which I, Paul , [7]was made a [8] minister . 24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake , and in my flesh I [9]do my share on behalf of His body , which is the church , in filling up what is lacking [10]in Christ's afflictions . 25 Of this church I [11]was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit , so that I might [12]fully carry out the preaching of the word of God , 26 that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations , but has now been manifested to His [13]saints , 27 to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles , which is Christ in you, the hope of glory . 28 We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man [14]with all wisdom , so that we may present every man [15] complete in Christ .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Colossians 1:17-28
Commentary on Colossians 1:15-23
(Read Colossians 1:15-23)
Christ in his human nature, is the visible discovery of the invisible God, and he that hath seen Him hath seen the Father. Let us adore these mysteries in humble faith, and behold the glory of the Lord in Christ Jesus. He was born or begotten before all the creation, before any creature was made; which is the Scripture way of representing eternity, and by which the eternity of God is represented to us. All things being created by Him, were created for him; being made by his power, they were made according to his pleasure, and for his praise and glory. He not only created them all at first, but it is by the word of his power that they are upheld. Christ as Mediator is the Head of the body, the church; all grace and strength are from him; and the church is his body. All fulness dwells in him; a fulness of merit and righteousness, of strength and grace for us. God showed his justice in requiring full satisfaction. This mode of redeeming mankind by the death of Christ was most suitable. Here is presented to our view the method of being reconciled. And that, notwithstanding the hatred of sin on God's part, it pleased God to reconcile fallen man to himself. If convinced that we were enemies in our minds by wicked works, and that we are now reconciled to God by the sacrifice and death of Christ in our nature, we shall not attempt to explain away, nor yet think fully to comprehend these mysteries; but we shall see the glory of this plan of redemption, and rejoice in the hope set before us. If this be so, that God's love is so great to us, what shall we do now for God? Be frequent in prayer, and abound in holy duties; and live no more to yourselves, but to Christ. Christ died for us. But wherefore? That we should still live in sin? No; but that we should die to sin, and live henceforth not to ourselves, but to Him.
Commentary on Colossians 1:24-29
(Read Colossians 1:24-29)
Both the sufferings of the Head and of the members are called the sufferings of Christ, and make up, as it were, one body of sufferings. But He suffered for the redemption of the church; we suffer on other accounts; for we do but slightly taste that cup of afflictions of which Christ first drank deeply. A Christian may be said to fill up that which remains of the sufferings of Christ, when he takes up his cross, and after the pattern of Christ, bears patiently the afflictions God allots to him. Let us be thankful that God has made known to us mysteries hidden from ages and generations, and has showed the riches of his glory among us. As Christ is preached among us, let us seriously inquire, whether he dwells and reigns in us; for this alone can warrant our assured hope of his glory. We must be faithful to death, through all trials, that we may receive the crown of life, and obtain the end of our faith, the salvation of our souls.