Col 1:21 | JFB | STEP | 21. The Colossians are included in this general reconciliation (compare , ). sometime-- "once." alienated-- from God and salvation: objectively banished from God, through the barrier which God's justice interposed against your sin: subjectively estranged through the alienation of your own wills from God. The former is the prominent thought (compare ), as the second follows, "enemies in your mind." "Actual alienation makes habitual 'enemies'" [Bengel]. in your mind-- Greek, "in your understanding" or "thought" ( ; ). by wicked works-- rather as Greek, "in your wicked works" (wicked works were the element in which your enmity subsisted). yet now-- Notwithstanding the former alienation, now that Christ has come, God hath completely reconciled, or restored to His friendship again (so the Greek, compare Note, see on ).

‏ Colossians 1:21

21. The Colossians are included in this general reconciliation (compare Ep 2:1, 12).

sometime--"once."

alienated--from God and salvation: objectively banished from God, through the barrier which God's justice interposed against your sin: subjectively estranged through the alienation of your own wills from God. The former is the prominent thought (compare Ro 5:10), as the second follows, "enemies in your mind." "Actual alienation makes habitual 'enemies'" [Bengel].

in your mind--Greek, "in your understanding" or "thought" (Ep 2:3; 4:18).

by wicked works--rather as Greek, "in your wicked works" (wicked works were the element in which your enmity subsisted).

yet now--Notwithstanding the former alienation, now that Christ has come, God hath completely reconciled, or restored to His friendship again (so the Greek, compare Note, see on Col 1:20).