Colossians 1:23 kjv

If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

Colossians 1:23 nkjv

if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.

Colossians 1:23 niv

if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

Colossians 1:23 esv

if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

Colossians 1:23 nlt

But you must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it. Don't drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News. The Good News has been preached all over the world, and I, Paul, have been appointed as God's servant to proclaim it.

Colossians 1 verses

Colossians 1 23 Meaning

Colossians 1:23 presents a pivotal condition for the believer's continued experience of reconciliation with God: sustained perseverance in the faith. It emphasizes the necessity of remaining stable and unswayed from the confident expectation of salvation—the hope found in the gospel. This gospel, Paul asserts, is not a new or limited teaching but the universal message already widely proclaimed throughout the world, of which he himself has been appointed a minister. The verse underscores the link between true faith, its enduring nature, and the global reach of the saving message of Christ.

Colossians 1 23 Context

Colossians 1:23 stands at a critical juncture in Paul's letter. Chapters 1:15-22 intricately detail the supremacy and preeminence of Christ—as the image of the invisible God, firstborn of all creation, creator of all things, head of the church, and reconciler of all things to God through His blood on the cross. Paul assures the Colossian believers of their complete reconciliation and sanctification in Christ.

Verse 23, therefore, serves as a conditional addendum or, more accurately, a clarification of the practical outworking of that reconciliation. "If indeed you continue" ties the preceding declarative statements about their standing in Christ (Col 1:21-22) to the necessity of perseverance. This conditional phrase is crucial given the specific context of Colossae. The church there was facing significant threats from a nascent heresy, often identified as a syncretistic blend of Jewish legalism, Gnosticism, ascetic practices, and angel worship. These false teachings promoted a diminished view of Christ and a reliance on human-made rules and spiritual experiences beyond the gospel.

Paul's emphasis on being "stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel" is a direct polemic against these disruptive influences. It calls the Colossians to recognize the sufficiency of Christ and the simple, yet profound, truth of the gospel they originally received, as opposed to esoteric knowledge or ritualistic observances. By highlighting the universal proclamation of the gospel, Paul underscores its authoritative, publicly revealed nature, countering any claims of secret knowledge or exclusive pathways to God promoted by the false teachers.

Colossians 1 23 Word analysis

• if indeed (εἴγε, eige): A strong conditional particle expressing a confident assumption or a condition that is expected to be met. It functions not to suggest doubt about their current state, but to emphasize the vital necessity of continuing in that state for the full realization and experience of their salvation. It presents the requirement for genuine, enduring faith as proof of true reconciliation, implying that perseverance is the mark of genuine faith.
• you continue (ἐπιμένετε, epimenete): From epimenō, meaning "to stay, abide, remain, persist, continue." It denotes steadfast endurance and consistent action. This isn't just about an initial act of faith but a lifelong commitment and persistence in the truth of the gospel.
• in the faith (ἐν τῇ πίστει, en tē pistei): This refers both to the act of believing (personal trust in Christ) and the body of truth believed (the Christian doctrine, the gospel). To continue "in the faith" means to live consistently with both personal trust in Christ and adherence to orthodox Christian teaching.
• stable (τεθεμελιωμένοι, tethemeliōmenoi): Perfect passive participle of themeliōō (θεμελιόω), meaning "to lay a foundation," or "to found firmly." This signifies having been firmly founded, established, or laid down like a strong building foundation. It speaks of spiritual stability rooted deeply in Christ. The perfect tense indicates a completed action with continuing results—they have been established, and now must remain so.
• and steadfast (καὶ ἑδραῖοι, kai hedraioi): Hedraios means "fixed, unmovable, firm, stable, resolute." This word, like "stable," uses an architectural metaphor, emphasizing permanence and resistance to external forces. Together, "stable and steadfast" powerfully conveys an unshakeable adherence to the gospel against shifting doctrines or external pressures.
• not shifting (μὴ μετακινούμενοι, mē metakinoumenoi): From metakineō, meaning "to move away, shift position, cause to move." The negative (μὴ) and present participle signify an ongoing, active resistance to being moved. This is a direct command to avoid doctrinal drift and spiritual instability, a clear warning against succumbing to the false teachings prevalent in Colossae that sought to "move" believers away from the centrality of Christ.
• from the hope (ἀπὸ τῆς ἐλπίδος, apo tēs elpidos): "Hope" in the New Testament is not a wishful uncertainty but a confident expectation and assured future. Here it signifies the certain salvation and future glory guaranteed by the gospel, often seen as the ultimate outcome of the gospel.
• of the gospel (τοῦ εὐαγγελίου, tou euangeliou): Literally "good news." The singular definite article emphasizes "the" singular gospel—the one and only message of salvation through Christ, as opposed to multiple gospels or alternative paths. It is the good news about Christ and of which Christ is the substance.
• that you heard (οὗ ἠκούσατε, hou ēkousate): Refers to the initial and singular reception of the authentic gospel message, presumably through Epaphras. This subtly validates the original message against any new or altered doctrines.
• which has been proclaimed (κηρυχθέντος, kērychthentos): Aorist passive participle of kēryssō, meaning "to proclaim, herald publicly, preach." The passive voice highlights that the gospel has been actively preached by divine design, emphasizing its public, universal, and authoritative nature.
• in all creation under heaven (ἐν πάσῃ κτίσει τῇ ὑπὸ τὸν οὐρανόν, en pasē ktisei tē hypo ton ouranon): A common ancient rhetorical expression signifying universal reach or widespread proclamation, not necessarily literal penetration into every remote corner or to every single person on Earth. It indicates the gospel's global mandate and extensive dissemination within the then-known world, signifying its comprehensive scope and the opposite of a secret cult. It asserts the gospel's cosmic significance. This counters the exclusivity claimed by some false teachings.
• and of which I, Paul, became a minister (οὗ ἐγενόμην ἐγὼ Παῦλος διάκονος, hou egenomēn egō Paulos diakonos): Paul establishes his apostolic authority and calling. Diakonos (διάκονος) signifies a servant or minister. Paul underscores that his ministry is inextricably linked to this universal, public gospel, thereby validating his teaching and discrediting any claims to other, hidden gospels.

Colossians 1 23 Bonus section

• The conditional "if indeed" (εἴγε, eige) should be understood not as implying uncertainty about their reconciliation, but rather emphasizing that continued perseverance is the necessary outward manifestation and ultimate proof of genuine saving faith (as opposed to a superficial or temporary intellectual assent). True believers will persevere because the Holy Spirit indwells them and empowers their endurance.
• The phrase "in all creation under heaven" serves both as a rhetorical statement of the gospel's successful, initial worldwide propagation and a theological affirmation of its universal reach and authority, aligning with the "good news to all creation" aspect seen in Mark 16:15 and Rom 10:18.
• This verse links deeply to the overarching theme of Christ's absolute sufficiency found throughout Colossians. If Christ truly is supreme and has accomplished all that is necessary for reconciliation, then there is no need to add human regulations, ascetic practices, or veneration of other beings—one must simply remain firmly in the faith of that perfect gospel.
• The progression in Colossians 1 moves from Christ's cosmic preeminence (1:15-18) to His redemptive work for humanity (1:19-22) and then to the believer's necessary response of enduring in the faith (1:23) before transitioning to Paul's suffering ministry (1:24 onwards). This shows the practical, relational outflow of profound theological truth.

Colossians 1 23 Commentary

Colossians 1:23 functions as a critical clarion call within Paul's robust defense of Christ's supremacy. Having just detailed the completed work of reconciliation in Christ (Col 1:21-22), Paul introduces a crucial condition: the persistence of the believers. This "if indeed you continue" is not a suggestion that their salvation is precarious, but rather a reminder that genuine faith inherently manifests itself through endurance and steadfastness. It serves as an earnest admonition against spiritual complacency and doctrinal deviation, directly addressing the specific heretical influences threatening the Colossian church. The metaphor of being "stable and steadfast" underscores the need for spiritual foundations so secure that they cannot be dislodged by the "winds of false doctrine." This steadfastness is achieved by unwavering adherence to "the hope of the gospel"—the confident assurance of ultimate salvation and glory, which stands in stark contrast to the speculative and legalistic hopes offered by the false teachers. Paul validates the Colossians' original gospel experience by emphasizing its "universal proclamation," contrasting it with the elitist, secret knowledge purported by the heretics. His concluding statement, asserting himself as a "minister" of this widely proclaimed gospel, lends his apostolic authority to his warning and exhortation, anchoring the Colossians in the enduring truth delivered through legitimate channels.