Colossians 1:21 kjv

And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

Colossians 1:21 nkjv

And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled

Colossians 1:21 niv

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.

Colossians 1:21 esv

And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds,

Colossians 1:21 nlt

This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions.

Colossians 1 verses

Colossians 1 21 Meaning

Colossians 1:21 describes the former spiritual state of believers, particularly the Gentiles, before their reconciliation with God through Christ. It portrays them as having been profoundly separated and estranged from God, holding an adversarial disposition in their innermost being—their minds and understanding. This deep-seated alienation and animosity inevitably manifested in outward acts of wickedness, reflecting their unredeemed condition. The verse emphasizes humanity's desperate need for the divine intervention that Christ provides, setting the stage for the glorious transformation of reconciliation in the subsequent verse.

Colossians 1 21 Context

Colossians 1:21 follows closely on the heels of the profound "Christ Hymn" (Col 1:15-20), which magnifies the absolute supremacy and cosmic significance of Jesus Christ. This hymn portrays Christ as the image of the invisible God, the creator and sustainer of all things, the head of the church, the firstborn from the dead, and the reconciler of all things to God through His death on the cross. Verse 21 then transitions from Christ's cosmic work of reconciliation to its specific application for the Colossian believers. It highlights their past spiritual condition to magnify the radical change brought about by Christ's redemptive work. The immediate literary context moves from their former alienation (v. 21) to their present reconciliation and future hope (v. 22).

Historically and culturally, the Colossian church comprised primarily Gentile converts. They lived in a syncretistic environment influenced by various philosophies, Jewish ascetic practices, and possibly early forms of Gnosticism, which promoted special "knowledge" or rituals as paths to spiritual maturity. Paul's emphasis on their past alienation and hostile mind serves as a direct counter-argument to any notion that they were inherently spiritual, already possessing saving knowledge, or could reconcile themselves through their own efforts, rituals, or philosophies. Instead, he underscores their profound need for Christ's singular, sufficient work of reconciliation, emphasizing that their fallen nature impacted their minds and actions.

Colossians 1 21 Word analysis

• And you,: Paul directly addresses the Colossian believers (ὑμεῖς, hymeis), making the general truth about human alienation specific to their personal experience. This personal address grounds the cosmic reconciliation of Colossians 1:20 in individual salvation.
• who once were: The phrase "once were" (pote ēte, ποτὲ ἦτε) signifies a definitive former state, contrasting sharply with their current condition as believers. It emphasizes the radical change that has occurred through faith in Christ.
• alienated: The Greek word is apēllotriōmenous (ἀπηλλοτριωμένους). This perfect passive participle literally means "having been made foreign" or "separated from another's ownership or fellowship." It indicates a state of complete estrangement and exclusion. This wasn't just a physical separation, but a deep spiritual and relational break from God. It suggests a loss of inherent connection and belonging, emphasizing humanity's displacement from its rightful place in relationship with its Creator. It speaks of a prior state where there was no common ground or fellowship with God, a deliberate cutting off.
• and hostile: The Greek term is echthrous (ἐχθροὺς), meaning "enemies" or "hostile ones." It denotes not merely a passive absence of friendship but an active, antagonistic disposition. Humanity, in its unregenerate state, is portrayed as being inherently at war with God and His will. This isn't just ignorance, but an active opposition to divine authority and truth.
• in mind: The Greek phrase is tē dianoia (τῇ διανοίᾳ), meaning "the understanding," "intellect," "mind," or "reason." This specifies where the hostility resides. It indicates that the alienation and hostility are not just external acts but rooted in the core of human intellect and will—the center of one's thoughts, intentions, and understanding. It means the very way they thought, reasoned, and understood reality was opposed to God, reflecting the corrupting influence of sin on human cognitive and moral faculties. It addresses the depth of sin, penetrating the innermost being.
• doing: The phrase en tois ergois (ἐν τοῖς ἔργοις) literally means "in deeds" or "by works." This shows that their hostile mindset manifested outwardly. The internal state expressed itself through observable behavior.
• evil deeds: The Greek word is ponērois (πονηροῖς), referring to "wicked," "morally corrupt," "malicious," or "harmful" deeds. These are not merely accidental missteps but actions stemming from a wicked heart and an actively hostile mind. It emphasizes that their alienation and hostility were not just theoretical but bore fruit in actual practices and choices that were inherently against God's nature and law. This highlights the practical manifestation of their internal spiritual condition.

Colossians 1 21 Bonus section

The intense language used—"alienated" (a completed state of being rendered foreign) and "hostile" (active enemy status)—serves to magnify the miracle of reconciliation discussed in the subsequent verses. This wasn't merely a mild disagreement or distance but a profound spiritual state of rebellion and separation, extending even to the deepest cognitive processes of the "mind." This description also counters any nascent Gnostic or philosophical ideas potentially circulating in Colossae that suggested humans merely needed enlightenment or secret knowledge to connect with God. Paul insists that the problem was not lack of knowledge but inherent hostility and rebellion, which required radical transformation by Christ, not human wisdom. The specific mention of "in mind" can also be seen as polemical, addressing those who might pride themselves on their intellectual acumen or speculative theology; Paul asserts that even their intellect was fundamentally at enmity with God.

Colossians 1 21 Commentary

Colossians 1:21 provides a crucial foundational truth for understanding the necessity and magnitude of Christ's reconciliation. It details the profound predicament of humanity before salvation, laying bare a threefold reality: separation, hostility, and demonstration. Firstly, humans were "alienated" (ἀπηλλοτριωμένους)—a state of complete severance from God, implying a lost relationship and expulsion from His divine community. This is not just physical distance but a deep spiritual chasm, a total disfellowship. Secondly, this separation led to a pervasive "hostility in mind" (ἐχθροὺς τῇ διανοίᾳ). This goes beyond mere apathy; it is an active antagonism where the very seat of human thought, understanding, and will is positioned against God's ways and truth. This is critical because it explains why humans naturally rebel against God and perceive His truth as folly. The mind, often considered the noblest human faculty, is presented as being corrupted and at war with its Creator. Finally, this internal condition inevitably flowed into outward manifestation, "doing evil deeds" (ἐν τοῖς ἔργοις τοῖς πονηροῖς). These "wicked works" are not the cause but the fruit of the alienated and hostile inner state. They are a visible testament to the spiritual brokenness and active rebellion against divine order. The verse paints a stark picture of humanity's inability to save itself or even truly seek God. It is a necessary backdrop against which the glorious truth of Christ's reconciling work (v. 22) shines even more brilliantly, demonstrating that our peace with God is solely a result of His initiative and Christ's sacrificial love. The truth contained here emphasizes humility and underscores that reconciliation is purely a gift of grace.