Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Colossians 1:28

"whom we proclaim, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ;" — Colossians 1:28 (ASV)

In v.25 Paul has defined his message as “the word of God.” In vv.26–27 he has used the term “mystery.” Here his message centers in the Christ who indwells believers. At the deepest level, therefore, the apostle conceived of his message not as a system or as a collection of rules and regulations, but as a living and glorious Person who is the fulfillment of the deepest hopes of humankind and the source of new life for all his people. “We” distinguishes Paul and his fellow preachers from the Colossian errorists. “Proclaim” (GK 2859) suggests a solemn or public proclamation with authority. This term includes the idea of instruction and admonition.

“Admonishing” (GK 3805) and “teaching” (GK 1438) describe two attendant circumstances of Paul’s preaching. The former word has to do with the will and emotions and connotes warning. Here it relates to non-Christians, the thought probably being that the apostle sought to awaken each of them to his or her need of Christ and to the necessity of repentance. The latter word, probably referring to a ministry for converts, stresses the importance of instruction in proclaiming the Word. “With all wisdom” seems to express the way the teaching was done.

“Everyone,” stated twice for emphasis, shows that Paul’s Gospel was not marred by the exclusiveness that characterized the false teachers. They believed the way of salvation to be so involved that it could be understood only by a select few who made up a sort of spiritual aristocracy. Unlike the errorists, Paul slighted no one. Every person was the object of his direct concern.

The aim of Paul’s proclaiming, admonishing, and teaching was to “present everyone perfect in Christ.” “Present” (GK 4225) refers to being brought into God’s presence at the return of Christ (cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:19–20; 5:23); only then will God’s work in the believer be complete. “Perfect” (GK 5455) suggests attainment of the proper end of one’s existence—maturity in faith and character (cf. Ephesians 4:13). Such maturity is possible “in Christ,” i.e., by virtue of the believer’s union with Christ.