To reconcile (amoxatadvdEa). Only here, ver. 21, and Eph. ii. 16. The connection is: 2¢ was the good pleasure of the Father (ver. 19) to reconcile. The compounded preposition azro gives the force of back, hinting at restoration to a primal unity. So, in Eph. ii. 12-16, it occurs as in ver. 21, in connection with amnrroTpiopevot alienated, as if they had not always been
* See Lightfoot’s note on this passage, p. 323; Ellicott on Gal. iv. 4; Eph, i. 28. Macpherson, ‘‘ Expositor,” second series, iv., 462.
Cu. L.] THE EPISTLE TO THE COLOSSIANS. 475
strangers. See on Eph. ii. 12. Others explain to reconcile wholly. For the verb xatadX\aoow to reconcile, see on Rom. ve 10:
All things (ra wdvra). Must be taken in the same sense as in vv. 16,17,18, the whole universe, material and spiritual.* The arrangement of clauses adopted by Rev. is simpler.
21. Enemies. To God, in the active sense. Mind (dvavoia). See on imagination, Luke i.51. The spir- itual seat of enmity.
By wicked works (év tots Epyots Tots movnpois). Rev., bet- ter, in your evil works. In the performance of—the sphere in which, outwardly, their alienation had exhibited itself.
22. Body of His flesh. Which consisted of flesh ; without which there could have been no death (see next clause).
To present (7zrapacrica). Purpose of the reconciliation. Compare Rom. viii. 30. See on shewed himself, Acts i. 3. Compare Rom. xii. 1, where it is used of presenting a sacri-
fice.+
Holy, unblamable, unreprovable (dyious, aua@pous, avey- krntous). Holy, see on saints, Acts xxvi. 10; Apoe. iii. 7. The fundamental idea of the word is separation unto God and from worldly defilement. Unblamable, Rev. much better, without blemish. Compare Eph, i. 4; v. 27; and see on 1 Pet. i. 19, and blemishes, 2 Pet. ii. 138. Unreprovable, not only actually free from blemish, but from the charge of it. See on 1 Cor. i. 8, and compare 1 Tim. vi. 14.
In His sight (catevorriov aitod). Rev., before Him. Him refers to God, not Christ. Whether the reference is to God’s
* The range of discussion opened by these words is too wide to be entered upon here. Paul’s declarations elsewhere as to the ultimate fate of evil men and angels, must certainly be allowed their full weight ; yet such passages as this and Eph. i. 10, seem to point to a larger purpose of God in redemption than is commonly conceived.
+ Bishop Lightfoot, however, unduly presses wnblemished as a sacrificial term, going to show that the figure of a sacrifice underlies the whole passage.
476 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. [Cu. L
future judgment or to His present approval, can hardly be determined by the almost unexceptional usage of xcatevw7ruiov before, in the latter sense, as is unquestionably the case in Eph. i. 4. The simple évomvov before, is used in the former sense, Luke xii. 9. "Epsrpootev before, occurs in both senses. The reference to the future judgment seems the more natural as marking the consummation of the redemptive work described in vv. 20-22. Compare 1 Thess. ili. 18, and Eph. v. 27, which corresponds with the figure of the bride, the Lamb’s wife, in Apoe. xxi. 9 sqq. This view is further warranted by the fol- lowing words, 2f ye continue, etc., the final presentation being dependent on steadfastness.*
23. Continue in the faith (éipévete tH rloTer). The verb means to stay at or with (émi). So Philip. i. 24, to abide by the flesh. See on Rom. vi. 1. The faith is not the gospel system (see on Acts vi. 7), but the Colossians’ faith in Christ. Your faith would be better.
Grounded and settled (TeJercwpévor nal édpaior). For grounded, see on settle, 1 Pet. v. 10; compare Luke vi. 48, 49; Eph. iii. 17. Settled, from édpa a seat. Rev., steadfast. See 1 Cor. vii. 87; xv. 58, the only other passages where it occurs. Compare édpalwua ground, 1 Tim. iii. 15. Bengel says: “The former is metaphorical, the latter more literal. The one im- plies greater respect to the foundation by which believers are supported ; but seté/ed suggests inward strength which believers themselves possess.”