Colossians 1:20a – A Former State

… and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven,

Summary: Harmony is a beautiful thing. Disharmony is … well … painful. Jesus is the cure for the pain of disharmony.

To fully understand this passage, we have two things.

First, we need to understand what it means to be “reconciled.” Then, secondly, we need to understand why things had to be reconciled. In other words, “What happened?”

The word “reconcile” in Greek is “apokatallassō.” The English definition of “reconcile” is to resolve a conflict. As the online dictionary puts it, to “cause to coexist in harmony.”

Okay. That sounds blah.

Strong’s Concordance, on the other hand, offers this choice definition of the Greek; “… bring back to a former state of harmony.”

I don’t know about you, but Strong’s definition resonates with me. It suggests a relationship between two people that has soured because of some disagreement, which was subsequently healed. Not just healed in the sense that they agree to disagree, but healed entirely. Whatever had come between them is now completely gone, and there is no desire to even think about what is now in the past.

So what had come between Jesus and “all things?” What had to be reconciled?

The answer to this question is found in the first book of the Bible. After the story of Adam and Eve’s rebellion against the only rule God had given them (Genesis 3:1-7), there is another story. This second story describes the consequences of what they had done (See Genesis 3: 14-19). These included “enmity” between Eve’s offspring and the serpent’s.

Many people, including myself, understand this passage to mean that there would be enmity between Jesus (the offspring of Eve) and Satan. The passage goes on to say that:

“… he [Jesus] will crush your head,
and you [Satan] will strike his heel.”
(Genesis 3:15)

By tempting Eve and Adam to sin, Satan had upset the harmony of God’s creation. Paul tells us that through Jesus, that harmony was restored.

We can’t “know” exactly what Paul means by “all things” in this passage. He certainly leaves us something to ponder! Consider how many people were affected by Satan’s deception. Every single person on earth is descended from Adam and Eve!

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

All have sinned. All were broken. All were born separated from God (Psalm 51:5). Through Jesus, all things have been brought back to a “former state of harmony.”

Application: Marvel at what Jesus has been able to do.

Food for Thought: What do you think Paul means by “all things?”

8 Replies to “Colossians 1:20a – A Former State”

  1. In the context he tells us that all things include: “whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation”

    To me this would seem to include all things that separate us from God. All our sin has been paid for and we have a renewed reconciliation with God “ if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel.” All things on earth and heaven could also be looking toward the new Heaven and earth in which all will be in harmony due to the work of the cross.

    In this, I agree with John Piper (I often do not) when he states: “I think he means that the blood of Christ has I think he means that the blood of Christ has secured the victory of God over the universe in such a way that the day is coming when “all things” that are in the new heavens and the new earth will be entirely reconciled to God with no rebel remnants. the victory of God over the universe in such a way that the day is coming when “all things” that are in the new heavens and the new earth will be entirely reconciled to God with no rebel remnants.”

  2. Paul uses the phrase “all things” in many places. Here are some examples:

    1 Corinthians 9:22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.

    1 Corinthians 6:12 “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.

    1 Corinthians 13:7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

    I really get the impression that when Paul uses the phrase “all things” he is talking about the limitless. He is not just saying “everything.” He is talking about what we would consider the known, the unknown, and the “to be.” I think he is also conveying the freedom that comes with Christ. We as humans are limited, but with God, through Christ, we have access to the limitless. Jesus taught us of “all things” and that with God “all things” are possible.

    Mark 9:23 And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.”

    Matthew 19:26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

    Mark 10:27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”

  3. What do you think Paul means by “all things?”

    In Genesis 1-2 we see the beautiful picture of Gods perfect creation in all its glory. Verse 1:31, God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day. 2:1, Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array.

    Mans sin corrupted all Gods creation which will be restored to its former glory.

    2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

    Colossians 1:20, “And through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.”

    Romans 8:21, “That the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.”

    Revelation 21:5, “And he who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’ Also he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’”

    Acts 3:21, “Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.”

Comments are closed.

Discover more from Three Minute Bible

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading