Colossians 1:22 22but now he has reconciled you in the body of his flesh through death, in order to present you before him holy and blameless and beyond reproach
Paul continues to apply the theology of the previous verses. He follows his common pattern of looking at the old life in sin in order to highlight the new life in Christ, marked with but now. This verse answers the alienation of verse 21. He uses the same word as verse 20 for reconciled. Verses 20-22 form a chiasm: reconciliation by “the blood of his cross,” alienation, reconciliation by the body of his flesh through death. This verse gives significant insight into how the problem of alienation is resolved. The unstated problem from verse 20 is sin. Paul does not use the word sin in verse 20 but describes its affects. “Sin” is only used once in Colossians, in 1:14. Paul emphasizes the physicality of the atonement in this letter.
This verse stresses this by the word flesh (sarkos), which often has a negative connotation in Paul’s letters. The clear emphasis is on the physical suffering of the one who created the world. Bringing these two concepts together highlights the incarnation and discounts any notions that Jesus was only a spirit and not real flesh and blood, a later belief of the heresy Docetism. Jesus, the Son of God, was really flesh and blood and really suffered and died on a Roman cross. This is foundational Christian belief, and Paul needed to make sure the Colossians understood this. Christianity is not a theory, myth, or spiritual story. It is a true-to-life historical event. Christ’s suffering unto death also prepares for how Paul will mention his own suffering in a few verses. All of this is relevant to the Colossians as they were coming to understand their faith that started when they first heard the gospel.
The goal of Jesus’ death was reconciliation of sinful humanity and the Holy God. The goal of this (indicated by the infinitive of purpose to present, parastēsai) is explained in the last clause. Three almost synonymous words are used to describe how Jesus’ sacrificial death affects believers. Jesus died to make us holy (hagious). Holiness is one of the key characteristics of God and one that God wants his people to have (1 Peter 1:15-16). Holiness means being separated from the defilement of sin and being purified in order to be in relationship with God. As a result of God’s work in us, we must respond with the response of righteous living. Christ also makes us blameless (anegkētous). This work also has a strong ethical sense to it. Because we have been purified within our hearts and consciences, we are called to live this out in obedient faith (1 Thessalonians 4:3). This is only possible because of Jesus’ sacrifice for us (Hebrews 9:14). Finally, Christ makes us beyond reproach (katenōpion). We are innocent before God and people. Our testimony bears witness to others of the cleansing power of Christ. Because our sins have been forgiven and our hearts purified, we can stand before God’s judgment without fear and with full assurance (1 Corinthians 1:8).
All three of these come as a result of God’s grace in Christ. By making us these three things, Christ enables us to come into the presence of God. No longer are we enemies of God but friends and, even more so, family. The cross makes all the difference. This cross is not an object of worship but a symbol of the unconditional love of Christ. The one who spoke creation into existence and holds all things together shed his blood for us that we might have eternal life.
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