The Meaning of Colossians 1:21 Explained

Colossians 1:21

KJV: And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

YLT: And you -- once being alienated, and enemies in the mind, in the evil works, yet now did he reconcile,

Darby: And you, who once were alienated and enemies in mind by wicked works, yet now has it reconciled

ASV: And you, being in time past alienated and enemies in your mind in your evil works,

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  you,  that were  sometime  alienated  and  enemies  in [your] mind  by  wicked  works,  yet  now  hath he reconciled 

What does Colossians 1:21 Mean?

Study Notes

reconciled
Reconciliation. The Greek word signifies "to change thoroughly from," and occurs, Romans 5:10 ; Romans 11:15 ; 1 Corinthians 7:11 ; 2 Corinthians 5:18 ; 2 Corinthians 5:19 ; 2 Corinthians 5:20 . Reconciliation looks toward the effect of the death of christ upon man, as propitiation , is the Godward aspect, and is that effect of the death of Christ upon the believing sinner which, through divine power, works in him a "thorough change" toward God from enmity and aversion to love and trust. It is never said that God is reconciled. God is propitiated, the sinner reconciled (cf) 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 .
propitiation
Lit. a propitiatory sacrifice, through faith by his blood; (Greek - ἱλαστήριον , "place of propitiation)." The word occurs, 1 John 2:2 ; 1 John 4:10 as the trans. of hilasmos, "that which propitiates," "a propitiatory sacrifice." Hilasterion is used by the Septuagint, and Hebrews 9:5 for "mercy-seat." The mercy-seat was sprinkled with atoning blood in the day of atonement Leviticus 16:14 in token that the righteous sentence of the law had been (typically) carried out, so that what must else have been a judgment-seat could righteously be a mercy-seat; Hebrews 9:11-15 ; Hebrews 4:14-16 , a place of communion Exodus 25:21 ; Exodus 25:22 .
In fulfilment of the type, Christ is Himself the hilasmos, "that which propitiates," and the hilasterion, "the place of propitiation" --the mercy-seat sprinkled with His own blood-- the token that in our stead He so honoured the law by enduring its righteous sentence that God, who ever foresaw the cross, is vindicated in having "passed over" sins from Adam to Moses Romans 5:13 and the sins of believers under the old covenant (See Scofield " Exodus 29:33 ") and just in justifying sinners under the covenant. There is no thought in propitiation of placating a vengeful God, but of doing right by His holy law and so making it possible for Him righteously to show mercy.
remission passing over of sins done aforetime, i.e. since Adam. Cf. Hebrews 9:15 .

Context Summary

Colossians 1:21-29 - Laboring To Perfect The Church
How wonderful is God! His scheme of grace embraces the world of men, but He can concentrate on individual souls as unworthy as ours. You"¦ hath He reconciled. And He will never abandon His work until we arrive in His presence-chamber without spot or blemish or any such thing. But, of course, the putting forth of His power on our behalf is conditioned on our steadfast faith.
Paul drank deeply of the Master's cup. It seemed as if Jesus had trusted him with participation in the sorrows of Gethsemane and Calvary. And he was thus fitted for the stewardship of two great secrets, which it was his joy to unfold. In Ephesians 3:1-21 he says that he was commissioned to show the Gentiles that they might become fellow-heirs; but here, Colossians 1:27, that they might experience the indwelling of Christ. Those who are conscious of that indwelling know its riches of power and joy and victory. Their hope of glory is dimmed by no fear, because they have the Christ; in their hearts, and, therefore, heaven in their hearts, so it follows naturally that their hearts will one day be with Christ in heaven. Christ in us is the hope of glory. Note the individual interest which the true pastor takes in his flock, as shown in the repeated use of every man. [source]

Chapter Summary: Colossians 1

1  After salutation Paul thanks God for the Colossians' faith;
7  confirms the doctrine of Epaphras;
9  prays further for their increase in grace;
14  describes the supremacy of Christ;
21  encourages them to receive Jesus Christ, and commends his own ministry

Greek Commentary for Colossians 1:21

And you [και υμας]
Accusative case in a rather loose sentence, to be explained as the object of the infinitive παραστησαι — parastēsai in Colossians 1:22 (note repeated υμας — humās there) or as the anticipated object of αποκατηλλαχεν — apokatēllaxen if that be the genuine form in Colossians 1:22. It can be the accusative of general reference followed by anacoluthon. See similar idiom in Ephesians 2:1, Ephesians 2:12. [source]
Being in time past alienated [ποτε οντας απηλλοτριωμενους]
Periphrastic perfect passive participle (continuing state of alienation) of απαλλοτριοω — apallotrioō old word from Plato on, to estrange, to render αλλοτριος — allotrios (belonging to another), alienated from God, a vivid picture of heathenism as in Romans 1:20-23. Only other N.T. examples in Ephesians 2:12; Ephesians 4:18. Ενεμιες — Enemies Old word from εχτος — echthos (hatred). Active sense here, hostile as in Matthew 13:28; Romans 8:7, not passive hateful (Romans 11:28). In your mind (τηι διανοιαι — tēi dianoiāi). Locative case. Διανοια — Dianoia (δια νους — diaεν τοις εργοις τοις πονηροις — nous), mind, intent, purpose. Old word. It is always a tragedy to see men use their minds actively against God. In your evil works Hostile purpose finds natural expression in evil deeds. [source]
hostile []
as in Matthew 13:28; Romans 8:7, not passive hateful (Romans 11:28). In your mind (τηι διανοιαι — tēi dianoiāi). Locative case. Διανοια — Dianoia (δια νους — diaεν τοις εργοις τοις πονηροις — nous), mind, intent, purpose. Old word. It is always a tragedy to see men use their minds actively against God. In your evil works Hostile purpose finds natural expression in evil deeds. [source]
hateful [Romans 11:28)]
(Romans 11:28). In your mind (τηι διανοιαι — tēi dianoiāi). Locative case. Διανοια — Dianoia (δια νους — diaεν τοις εργοις τοις πονηροις — nous), mind, intent, purpose. Old word. It is always a tragedy to see men use their minds actively against God. In your evil works Hostile purpose finds natural expression in evil deeds. [source]
In your mind [τηι διανοιαι]
Locative case. Διανοια — Dianoia (δια νους — diaεν τοις εργοις τοις πονηροις — nous), mind, intent, purpose. Old word. It is always a tragedy to see men use their minds actively against God. [source]
In your evil works [en tois ergois tois ponērois)]
Hostile purpose finds natural expression in evil deeds. [source]
Enemies []
To God, in the active sense. [source]
Mind [διανοίᾳ]
See on imagination, Luke 1:51. The spiritual seat of enmity. [source]
By wicked works [ἐν τοῖς ἔγροις τοῖς πονηροῖς]
Rev., better, in your evil works. In the performance of - the sphere in which, outwardly, their alienation had exhibited itself. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Colossians 1:21

Ephesians 2:16 Might reconcile [ἀποκαταλλάξῃ]
Only here and Colossians 1:20, Colossians 1:21. See on Colossians 1:20. The new man precedes the reconciling in Paul's statement, though, as a fact, the order is the reverse. The verb contains a hint of restoration to a primal unity. See on Ephesians 2:12. [source]
Ephesians 2:1 And you did he quicken [και υμας]
The verb for did he quicken does not occur till Ephesians 2:5 and then with ημας — hēmās (us) instead of υμας — humās (you). There is a like ellipsis or anacoluthon in Colossians 1:21, Colossians 1:22, only there is no change from υμας — humās to ημας — hēmās [source]
Ephesians 2:12 Alienated from the commonwealth of Israel [απηλλοτριωμενοι της πολιτειας του Ισραηλ]
Perfect passive participle of απαλλοτριοω — apallotrioō for which see note on Colossians 1:21. Here followed by ablative case πολιτειας — politeias old word from πολιτευω — politeuō to be a citizen (Philemon 1:27) from πολιτης — politēs and that from πολις — polis (city). Only twice in N.T., here as commonwealth (the spiritual Israel or Kingdom of God) and Acts 22:28 as citizenship. Strangers from the covenants of the promise (χενοι των διατηκων της επαγγελιας — xenoi tōn diathēkōn tēs epaggelias). For χενος — xenos (Latin hospes), as stranger see Matthew 25:35, Matthew 25:38, and Matthew 25:43.; as guest-friend see note on Romans 16:23. Here it is followed by the ablative case διατηκων — diathēkōn Having no hope No hope of any kind. In Galatians 4:8 ουκ — ouk (strong negative) occurs with ειδοτες τεον — eidotes theon but here μη — mē gives a more subjective picture (1 Thessalonians 4:5). Without God (ατεοι — atheoi). Old Greek word, not in lxx, only here in N.T. Atheists in the original sense of being without God and also in the sense of hostility to God from failure to worship him. See Paul‘s words in Romans 1:18-32. “In the world” (εν τωι κοσμωι — en tōi kosmōi) goes with both phrases. It is a terrible picture that Paul gives, but a true one. [source]
Colossians 1:20 To reconcile [ἀποκαταλλάξαι]
Only here, Colossians 1:21, and Ephesians 2:16. The connection is: it was the good pleasure of the Father (Colossians 1:19) to reconcile. The compounded preposition ἀπό gives the force of back, hinting at restoration to a primal unity. So, in Ephesians 2:12-16, it occurs as in Colossians 1:21, in connection with ἀπηλλοτριωμένοι alienatedas if they had not always been strangers. See on Ephesians 2:12. Others explain to reconcile wholly. For the verb καταλλάσσω toreconcile, see on Romans 5:10. [source]
Hebrews 8:10 This [αυτη]
The “new” one of Hebrews 8:8. That I will make Future middle of διατιτημι — diatithēmi “that I will covenant,” cognate accusative “Giving,” present active participle of διδωμι — didōmi to give. Into their mind Their intellect, their moral understanding, all the intellect as in Aristotle (Colossians 1:21; Ephesians 4:18). On their heart Either genitive singular or accusative plural. Καρδια — Kardia is the seat of man‘s personal life (Westcott), the two terms covering the whole of man‘s inward nature. A god Note the Hebraistic use of εις — eis in the predicate instead of the usual nominative τεος — theos as in “a people” This was the ideal of the old covenant (Exodus 6:7), now at last to be a fact. [source]

What do the individual words in Colossians 1:21 mean?

And you once being alienated hostile - in mind in the deeds - evil
Καὶ ὑμᾶς ποτε ὄντας ἀπηλλοτριωμένους ἐχθροὺς τῇ διανοίᾳ ἐν τοῖς ἔργοις τοῖς πονηροῖς

ποτε  once 
Parse: Particle
Root: ποτέ  
Sense: once i.
ὄντας  being 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: εἰμί  
Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present.
ἀπηλλοτριωμένους  alienated 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Participle Middle or Passive, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: ἀπαλλοτριόω  
Sense: to alienate, estrange.
ἐχθροὺς  hostile 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: ἐχθρός  
Sense: hated, odious, hateful.
τῇ  - 
Parse: Article, Dative Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
διανοίᾳ  in  mind 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: διάνοια  
Sense: the mind as a faculty of understanding, feeling, desiring.
ἔργοις  deeds 
Parse: Noun, Dative Neuter Plural
Root: ἔργον  
Sense: business, employment, that which any one is occupied.
τοῖς  - 
Parse: Article, Dative Neuter Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
πονηροῖς  evil 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Neuter Plural
Root: πονηρός  
Sense: full of labours, annoyances, hardships.