William Burkitt's Expository Notes

Colossians 1:21

St. Paul having treated of Christ's work of reconciliation in general, in the preceding verse, in this he applies it ot the Colosssians in particular:

Where 1. He describes to them the miserable state and deplorable condition they were in before they were converted to the Christian faith; they were strangers, nay, enemies unto God: Enemies in their minds, which implies. deep rooted enmity, advancing so high as to hate God, not as. Creator, but as. lawgiver; not as. Benefactor, but as. judge and revenger of sin.

O deplorable degradation, to be at enmity in our minds against him who is the author of our being, and the fountain of our happiness!

Observe, 2. The gracious change wrought in their condition by virtue of Christ's mediation, you hath he reconciled; not only laid own his life to purchase reconciliation for them, but by the ministry of his word, accompanied with the operation of his holy Spirit, working upon their hearts, even then when they had. strong aversion from God, to accept of terms of peace and reconciliation with him: You, who were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, now hath he reconciled.

Observe, 3. The way and means by which Christ effected this work of reconciliation for them and us, namely, by taking upon him. true body, subject to fleshly infirmities, though without sin; and in that body suffering death for us, that we might be presented at the last day, perfectly holy unto god.

In order to our reconciliation with God, it pleased Christ, the second Person in the ever-glorious Trinity, to assume. body of flesh, that he might be of the same nature with us, and in that body of flesh to die for sin; that the same nature which had sinned, might give satisfaction for sin.

And further, to make us completely happy, he has not only taken away the legal enmity on God's part, but the natural anmity on our part; for he sanctifies those whom he reconciles initially in this life, but perfectly and completely in the next, and where and when they shall be presented holy, unblameable, and unreproveable, to his heavenly Father.

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William Burkitt's Expository Notes

Colossians 1:21

Old Testament

New Testament