Colossians 1:23

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 every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

If {G1489} ye continue {G1961} in the faith {G4102} grounded {G2311} and {G2532} settled {G1476}, and {G2532} be not {G3361} moved away {G3334} from {G575} the hope {G1680} of the gospel {G2098}, which {G3739} ye have heard {G191}, and which {G3588} was preached {G2784} to {G1722} every {G3956} creature {G2937} which is under {G5259} heaven {G3772}; whereof {G3739} I {G1473} Paul {G3972} am made {G1096} a minister {G1249};

provided, of course, that you continue in your trusting, grounded and steady, and don’t let yourselves be moved away from the hope offered in the Good News you heard.

This is the Good News that has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven; and I, Sha’ul, have become a servant of it.

if indeed you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope of the gospel you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

if so be that ye continue in the faith, grounded and stedfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel which ye heard, which was preached in all creation under heaven; whereof I Paul was made a minister.

Context of Colossians 1:23

Colossians 1:23 is a pivotal verse within Paul's letter to the church in Colossae. It follows immediately after Paul's profound declaration of Christ's supremacy as the Head of the Church and the Reconciler of all things through His death on the cross (Colossians 1:20-22). Having affirmed their reconciliation and present standing as "holy and unblameable and unreproveable" before God, Paul introduces a crucial condition for their continued experience of this blessing: their steadfastness in the faith. This verse also implicitly addresses the emerging false teachings in Colossae that threatened to undermine the believers' foundation in Christ, emphasizing the necessity of spiritual stability against such influences.

Key Themes

  • Perseverance in Faith: The phrase "If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled" highlights the essential nature of enduring commitment to Christian belief. It speaks to the importance of a deep, stable foundation in Christ, resistant to doubt, spiritual drift, or doctrinal error. This steadfastness is a mark of true discipleship and vital for spiritual growth.
  • Unwavering Hope of the Gospel: Believers are urged not to be "moved away from the hope of the gospel." This hope is not a mere wish but a confident expectation of future salvation, glorification, and eternal life, rooted in the finished work of Jesus Christ. It is an anchor for the soul, providing stability in turbulent times (Hebrews 6:19).
  • Universality of the Gospel: The gospel's expansive reach is underscored by its being "preached to every creature which is under heaven." While perhaps a hyperbolic expression for the known world at that time, it powerfully conveys the comprehensive and universal scope of the gospel's divine mandate and its availability to all humanity, transcending cultural or ethnic boundaries. This echoes the Great Commission given by Christ (Mark 16:15).
  • Paul's Apostolic Ministry: By stating "whereof I Paul am made a minister," the apostle reaffirms his divine commission to proclaim this very gospel. This establishes his authority and reinforces the authenticity and importance of the message he brought to the Colossian church and indeed to the Gentile world (Ephesians 3:7).

Linguistic Insights

  • "Grounded" (themelioō): This Greek word means "to lay a foundation," "to establish firmly," or "to build upon." It vividly portrays faith as something built upon a solid, immovable base, much like a strong building's foundation. It implies stability and permanence.
  • "Settled" (hedraios): Translating from the Greek hedraios, this term means "firm," "stable," or "steadfast." It reinforces the idea of unshakeable adherence and contrasts sharply with being "moved away," emphasizing the need for spiritual immovability in the face of challenges or deceptions.
  • "Every creature which is under heaven" (pasē ktisei tē hypo ton ouranon): The word ktisis for "creature" can refer to "creation" or "humanity." In this context, it functions as a comprehensive expression, signifying that the gospel message is intended for and being proclaimed to all people, all of God's created humanity, throughout the world. It is a powerful affirmation of the gospel's global reach.

Practical Application

Colossians 1:23 serves as a timeless call to spiritual stability and active participation in the Christian mission. For believers today, it prompts self-reflection: Am I truly "grounded and settled" in my faith, or am I easily swayed by the shifting sands of popular opinion, personal trials, or deceptive doctrines? This verse reminds us that perseverance is a crucial aspect of genuine faith and a necessary condition for experiencing the full blessings of God's reconciliation.

Furthermore, the verse's emphasis on the gospel being "preached to every creature" charges believers with the ongoing responsibility of sharing this hope. As recipients of this universal message, we are called to be active participants in its proclamation, ensuring that the transformative hope of the gospel continues to reach all corners of the earth, just as Paul did.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Hebrews 3:14

    For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;

  • Hebrews 3:6

    But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.

  • Matthew 24:13

    But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

  • Matthew 24:14

    And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

  • Galatians 6:9

    And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

  • Hebrews 10:38

    Now the just shall live by faith: but if [any man] draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

  • Acts 14:22

    Confirming the souls of the disciples, [and] exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
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