Reconciled in Christ – Colossians 1:21-23 Bible Study
"And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister."
Laying the Foundation: From Enemies to Sons
Have you ever felt distant from God? Like no matter how much you pray or try to do the right thing, there’s a gap you just can’t close?
Paul reminds us in this passage that apart from Christ, we were far more than just distant from God… we were His enemies. Ouch. But through Jesus, we have been completely reconciled, made holy, and given a firm foundation of faith to stand on.
This passage holds both assurance and warning. Assurance that we have been brought near by Christ’s sacrifice and a warning that we must remain steadfast in the hope of the gospel.
So let’s dig in.
1. Who We Were Before Christ (v.21)
"And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds..."
"Alienated" (ἀπηλλοτριωμένους, apēllotriōmenous) – This means completely separated, cut off from fellowship. Before Christ, we weren’t just distant from God—we were totally estranged from Him.
"Hostile in mind" (ἐχθροὺς τῇ διανοίᾳ, echthrous tē dianoia) – The word hostile means actively opposed to God. This isn’t passive ignorance. It’s a deep-rooted resistance toward God’s truth.
"Doing evil deeds" (ἐν τοῖς ἔργοις τοῖς πονηροῖς, en tois ergois tois ponērois) – The natural result of a heart set against God is a life that produces sinful actions.
Verse Explanation:
Paul doesn’t sugarcoat it (I love that about him). Before Christ, we were not just "good people who made mistakes." We were alienated, enemies of God, and actively living in rebellion.
Our sin problem wasn’t just about our behavior; it was about our mindset, our hearts, and our very nature.
Reflection:
Do you recognize how serious your sin was before Christ?
Are there areas in your life where you still act as though you are hostile toward God’s ways?
2. What Christ Has Done for Us (v.22)
"He has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him."
"Reconciled" (ἀποκαταλλάσσω, apokatallassō) – This means to restore a broken relationship. The same word was used for enemies making peace after war.
"In his body of flesh" – This emphasizes that our reconciliation happened through Christ’s physical sacrifice on the cross.
"Holy" (ἅγιος, hagios) – This means set apart for God’s purposes. We are no longer enemies. We are dedicated to Him.
"Blameless" (ἄμωμος, amōmos) – This word means without defect, without fault. In Christ, we are no longer stained by sin.
"Above reproach" (ἀνέγκλητος, anegklētos) – This means free from accusation. Because of Christ, no one (not even Satan) can bring a charge against us before God.
Verse Explanation:
This is one of the most beautiful truths in Scripture. We went from enemies to holy, from sinful to blameless, from accused to above reproach.
How? By His death. Jesus physically took on our sin, our hostility, our alienation, and through the cross, He made peace between us and God.
Heart Check:
Are you living as someone who has been reconciled to God?
Do you believe you are blameless in Christ, or are you still carrying guilt over past sins?
3. The Call to Remain Steadfast (v.23)
"If indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard..."
"Continue in the faith" – This means our perseverance matters. True faith is not just a moment of belief, but a life of endurance.
"Stable and steadfast" (τεθεμελιωμένοι καὶ ἑδραῖοι, tethemeliōmenoi kai hedraioi) – These words mean firmly grounded like a foundation that cannot be shaken.
"Not shifting" (μὴ μετακινούμενοι, mē metakinoumenoi) – This means not being moved away from the truth. Paul warns us: don’t drift. Don’t compromise. Don’t lose sight of Christ.
Verse Explanation:
While our salvation is secure in Christ, Paul reminds us that true believers will persevere.
If we have truly been reconciled, we won’t abandon the gospel.
If we have truly been transformed, we won’t let culture, doubt, or hardship pull us away.
Paul isn’t saying we earn salvation by remaining faithful. He is saying those who are truly in Christ will remain faithful.
Heart Check:
Are you standing firm in faith, or are you being swayed by the world?
Have you shifted from the hope of the gospel in any way?
Final Thoughts: Live as Someone Reconciled
Paul paints a clear before-and-after picture:
🔹 Before Christ: Alienated, hostile, sinful.
🔹 After Christ: Reconciled, holy, blameless.
And the call is clear: Stand firm in your faith. Don’t shift. Don’t drift. Keep your hope in Christ alone.
We have been rescued, restored, and redeemed. Let’s live like it.
Join me tomorrow as we continue learning what it means to be rooted in Christ!
Let’s keep studying.
