Colossians 1:23 23if indeed you remain in the faith having been established and firm and not shifting away from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, of which I, Paul, was made a minister.
This verse puts a condition on the reconciliation of verse 22. This adds emphasis to the human responsibility in growth in salvation (Philippians 2:12-13). The verb remain (epimenete) is present tense, suggesting that this was an urgent situation in Colossae. The faith refers to the truth of the gospel, which was first brought to them through the ministry of Epaphras. Here is the crux of the situation: the Colossians were being confronted with heresies and being tempted to forsake the truth of the gospel, which Paul has just clearly laid out in the previous verses. This is what they must do to experience the hope of the gospel and receive the “inheritance” of verse 12.
The next part of the verse reflects back on the Colossians (three words in the nominative case) and how they have been strengthened in their faith in Jesus Christ. The participle established (tethemeliōmenoi) can also mean strengthened and is related to laying a foundation (Hebrews 1:10). The adjective firm (edraiaoi) emphasizes the strength of their foundation in the gospel. Like the man who built his house on the rock of Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 7:24, the Colossians had built their lives on the foundation of faith in Jesus Christ. They needed to come to understand this more deeply and not be swayed by false teachings. With clear understanding of “the grace of God in truth” (verse 6), they would be protected from shifting away from their hope.
Paul reminds them of the significance of the gospel that they heard. He restates the idea of verse 6, that the gospel has gone out to the whole world. How was it proclaimed in all creation under heaven? This is an overstatement and cannot be taken literally if it refers to the gospel having been preached to every single person of Paul’s day. There were actually few Christians at that point. Paul is reflecting back on his ministry and his optimism that the gospel was spreading through Christian witnesses like him. He saw his life as a privilege in preaching the gospel. He was a minister (diakonos) since he served under the Lordship of Christ and in a life dedicated to fulfilling Christ’s calling on his life.
Eternal life is assured for those who remain faithful to the gospel. The key to this condition is faith. There is much around us that seeks to detract us from the truth. Small and subtle compromises can too easily be accepted unless we are firmly grounded in the truth of the gospel, which comes through careful study, reflection, fellowship, and prayer.
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