Col 1:22-2:6 | Geneva | STEP | In the body of his {p} flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: (p) In that fleshly body, to show us that his body was not an unreal body, but a real one.

Colossians 1:22-29

In the body of his {p} flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

(p) In that fleshly body, to show us that his body was not an unreal body, but a real one. {11} If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and [be] not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, [and] which was preached to {q} every creature which is under heaven; {12} whereof I Paul am made a minister;

(11) The second treatise of this part of the epistle, in which he exhorts the Colossians not to allow themselves by any means to be moved from this doctrine, showing and declaring that there is nowhere else any other true Gospel. (q) To all men: by which we learn that the Gospel was not confined to Judea alone. (12) He gains authority for this doctrine by his apostleship, and takes a most sure proof of it, that is, his afflictions, which he suffers for Christ's name, to instruct the Churches with these examples of patience. Who now rejoice in my sufferings for {r} you, and fill up {s} that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:

(r) For our profit and benefit. (s) The afflictions of the Church are said to be Christ's afflictions, by reason of that fellowship and knitting together that the body and the head have with one another. And this is not because there is any more need to have the Church redeemed, but because Christ shows his power in the daily weakness of his own, and that for the comfort of the whole body. {13} Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;

(13) He brings another proof of his apostleship, that is, that God is the author of it, by whom also he was appointed especially as apostle for the Gentiles, to the end that by this means, that same might be fulfilled by him, which the Prophets foretold concerning the calling of the Gentiles. [Even] the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his {t} saints:

(t) Whom he chose to sanctify to himself in Christ. Moreover, he says that the mystery of our redemption was hidden since the world began, except that it was revealed to a few, who also were taught it extraordinarily. To whom God {u} would make known what [is] the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

(u) In this way Paul restrains the curiosity of men. {14} Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in {x} all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

(14) He protests that he faithfully executes his apostleship in every place, bringing men to Christ only through the Lord's plentiful blessing of his labours. (x) Perfect and sound wisdom, which is perfect in itself, and will in the end make those perfect who follow it.

Colossians 2:1-6

For I {1} would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and [for] them at Laodicea, and [for] as many as have not seen my {a} face in the flesh;

(1) The taking away of an objection: in that he did not visit the Colossians or the Laodiceans, he was not being negligent; rather, he is so much the more careful for them. (a) Me, present in body. {2} That {b} their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the {c} full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

(2) He concludes shortly the sum of the former doctrine, that is, that the whole sum of true wisdom, and most secret knowledge of God, consists in Christ alone, and that this is the use of it with regard to men, that they are knit together in love, and rest themselves happily in the knowledge of so great a goodness, until they come to fully enjoy it. (b) Whom, he never says. (c) Of that understanding, which brings forth a certain and undoubted persuasion in our minds. In whom are hid all the treasures of {d} wisdom and knowledge.

(d) There is no true wisdom outside of Christ. {3} And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with {e} enticing words.

(3) A passing over to the treatise following, against the corruptions of Christianity. (e) With a planned type of talk made to persuade. For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your {f} order, and the stedfastness of your {g} faith in Christ.

(f) The manner of your ecclesiastical discipline. (g) Doctrine. As ye have therefore {h} received Christ Jesus the Lord, [so] walk ye in him:

(h) So then Christ does not depend upon men's traditions.