Through
him to reconcile all things to himself, by him, whether things on the earth, or things in the heavens, having made peace through the blood of his cross.
Colossians 1:20
Colossians 1 [16.] For by him all things were created, in the heavens and on the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things are held together. He is the head of the body, the assembly, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For all the fullness was pleased to dwell in him; and through him to reconcile all things to himself, by him, whether things on the earth, or things in the heavens, having made peace through the blood of his cross.
Colossians 1 [21.] You, being in past times alienated and enemies in your mind in your evil deeds, yet now he has reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without defect and blameless before him, if it is so that you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the Good News which you heard, which is being proclaimed in all creation under heaven; of which I, Paul, was made a servant.
Meaning:
At its core, Colossians 1:20 speaks to the universal scope of Christ's redemptive work. It declares that through Christ, God has reconciled all things to Himself, both on earth and in heaven. This reconciliation is made possible by the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross, through which He shed His blood to atone for the sins of humanity.
The significance of Colossians 1:20 lies in its portrayal of the transformative power of Christ's death and resurrection. It emphasizes that through His sacrificial act, Jesus has brought about reconciliation between God and humanity, as well as the restoration of all creation. This reconciliation extends not only to individuals but to all aspects of the created order, including both earthly and heavenly realms.
This verse also highlights the centrality of Christ in God's plan of redemption. It underscores the unique role of Jesus as the agent of reconciliation, through whom all things are brought into harmony with God. This emphasizes the exclusivity and sufficiency of Christ's work on the cross in accomplishing salvation for humanity and restoring the broken relationship between God and His creation.
Cross-referencing with other passages in Scripture, we find similar teachings on the reconciling work of Christ. In 2 Corinthians 5:19, Paul writes, "that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation." This verse echoes the sentiment expressed in Colossians 1:20 and reinforces the universal scope of Christ's redemptive work.
Furthermore, in Ephesians 1:10, Paul speaks of God's plan to "bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ." This passage parallels the language of Colossians 1:20 and emphasizes the cosmic significance of Christ's reconciling work in uniting all things in Him.
As we reflect on Colossians 1:20, we are reminded of the profound implications of Christ's death and resurrection for the entire created order. It challenges us to embrace the reality of our reconciliation with God through faith in Jesus Christ and to live in light of this truth.
In our personal lives, Colossians 1:20 prompts us to consider the implications of Christ's reconciling work for our relationships with others and our stewardship of the earth. It calls us to be agents of reconciliation and peacemakers in a broken and divided world, reflecting the love and grace of God to all creation.
Ultimately, Colossians 1:20 is a powerful declaration of the transformative impact of Christ's redemptive work on the entire cosmos. It invites us to embrace the reality of our reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ and to live in light of this profound truth.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible