Colossians 1:28 kjv

Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

Colossians 1:28 nkjv

Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 1:28 niv

He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.

Colossians 1:28 esv

Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.

Colossians 1:28 nlt

So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ.

Colossians 1 verses

Colossians 1 28 Meaning

Colossians 1:28 encapsulates the core purpose and methodology of apostolic ministry: to comprehensively and continually proclaim Christ to all people. This proclamation involves both warning and instructing them with divine wisdom, aiming to present every individual fully developed and complete in their relationship and identity within Christ at the end. It underscores the centrality of Christ, the universal scope of the Gospel, and the holistic process of discipleship from initial conversion to spiritual maturity.

Colossians 1 28 Context

Colossians 1:28 stands as the apex of Paul's profound exposition on the person and work of Christ and the nature of his apostolic ministry. Following a powerful hymn proclaiming Christ's supremacy as the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation, and head of the church (1:15-20), Paul articulates his suffering for the church and the "mystery" that has now been revealed. This mystery, highlighted in verse 27, is "Christ in you, the hope of glory." Verse 28 then delineates how this mystery is actively applied and nurtured within believers. Paul is contrasting his true, Christ-centered ministry with the prevalent false teachings in Colossae that were drawing believers away from the sufficiency of Christ through various philosophical or ascetic practices. The comprehensive and universal approach outlined in this verse directly counters any exclusive or partial pathways to spiritual truth or maturity that the false teachers promoted, firmly grounding all truth and growth in Christ alone.

Colossians 1 28 Word analysis

• Him (Ὃν - Hon): Emphatically placed at the beginning in the Greek, making Christ the undeniable and central object of the proclamation. It signifies that Christian ministry focuses solely on Christ, not on human ideologies, rituals, or lesser beings.
• we (ἡμεῖς - hemeis): Refers to Paul and his apostolic team, representing faithful ministers of Christ. It denotes their divinely appointed mission and authority, distinguishing it from unauthorized or misguided teachers.
• proclaim (καταγγέλλομεν - katangellomen): A robust verb meaning to declare thoroughly, announce widely, or preach publicly. It emphasizes a comprehensive, active, and authoritative declaration of the message, distinguishing it from mere discussion.
• warning (νουθετοῦντες - nouthetountes): This participle implies instruction with an element of admonition or gentle correction. Rooted in "mind" (nous) and "to place" (tithēmi), it means "to put into the mind." It's about bringing truth to bear on behavior, often through persuasion, aiming for spiritual correction and improvement rather than condemnation.
• everyone (πάντα ἄνθρωπον - panta anthrōpon): Repeated three times in the verse, powerfully underscoring the universal scope and individualized care within Paul's ministry. It highlights inclusivity – the Gospel is for all, and the goal of maturity is for every believer, combating any form of elitism or restricted access to spiritual truth.
• teaching (διδάσκοντες - didaskontes): Refers to systematic instruction, imparting doctrinal truth and practical principles for Christian living. It builds understanding and equips believers with sound doctrine. Together with "warning," it represents the holistic and balanced process of discipleship – addressing both ethical conduct and intellectual comprehension.
• all wisdom (πάσῃ σοφίᾳ - pasē sophia): This does not refer to human intellect or philosophical speculation. Instead, it signifies the comprehensive divine wisdom, found uniquely and perfectly in Christ (Col 2:3), which enables believers to understand God's will and apply truth to all areas of life. It’s God’s truth, applicable to every circumstance.
• present (παραστήσωμεν - parastēsōmen): Implies formally bringing or setting someone before a superior, a judge, or a king. It carries the nuance of presenting someone in a fit and ready state, perhaps as a servant to a master, a bride to a groom, or disciples ready for the Master’s service and ultimate judgment.
• mature (τέλειον - teleion): This Greek term denotes completeness, spiritual maturity, or full development, rather than sinless perfection. It signifies being fit for purpose, fully grown, or having reached the intended goal in spiritual and ethical development, prepared to fulfill one's role in God's plan.
• in Christ (ἐν Χριστῷ - en Christō): This is the essential sphere, the foundational reality, and the relational context of Christian maturity. Believers are "in Christ" by virtue of their union with Him. Maturity is not achieved independently but through abiding in Him and conforming to His character, underscoring His sufficiency for all spiritual growth.

Colossians 1 28 Words-group analysis:

• Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone: This phrase encapsulates the dual and complementary nature of true Christian ministry. "Him we proclaim" defines the exclusive content—Christ's person, work, and supremacy. The subsequent "warning" (moral instruction, gentle correction, addressing behavior) and "teaching" (systematic doctrinal instruction, explaining truths) define the comprehensive method, indicating a ministry that addresses both the mind and the will of "everyone" who hears. It signifies an active, continuous, and all-encompassing communication of the Gospel to transform lives holistically.
• with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ: This segment highlights the divine enablement and the ultimate spiritual objective of the ministry. "With all wisdom" specifies the source and quality of the instruction—it's not human ingenuity but the complete, comprehensive divine wisdom residing in Christ. The purpose ("that we may present") points to a future accounting and accountability, striving for the ideal state. "Present everyone mature in Christ" emphasizes the aspirational outcome for every individual—to achieve a full, complete, and functional spiritual development and identity rooted deeply within their union with Christ. This maturity equips them for their earthly walk and prepares them for their eternal standing.

Colossians 1 28 Bonus section

The term "τέλειος" (teleios) for "mature" has significant echoes in the Old Testament, where it is associated with concepts like "wholehearted" or "blameless" in walking obediently with God (e.g., Deut 18:13). In the New Testament, it signifies reaching an intended purpose or fulfilling one's design, contrasting sharply with the "perfection" or "initiation" promised by pagan mystery cults or Gnostic teachings through secret rituals. Paul presents Christ as the exclusive source and means of true spiritual completeness. The emphatic triple repetition of "πάντα ἄνθρωπον" (panta anthrōpon – everyone/every person) serves as a potent rhetorical device highlighting the comprehensive reach of Paul's mission and its goal. This conveys a radical inclusivity in Christ, dismantling any social, intellectual, or religious barriers to accessing God's wisdom and attaining spiritual maturity, thereby directly challenging the elitist and exclusive tendencies of the prevalent heresies. This verse underscores the deep pastoral commitment of Paul, focusing not just on evangelism but on the comprehensive discipleship and spiritual flourishing of every single believer.

Colossians 1 28 Commentary

Colossians 1:28 provides a profound summary of Christ-centered ministry. It begins and ends with Christ, emphasizing His centrality from proclamation to spiritual maturity. Paul’s work is singular in focus: announcing Christ. This is not a superficial declaration but a deeply engaged process involving both ethical instruction and practical guidance ("warning") alongside systematic doctrinal understanding ("teaching"). The phrase "all wisdom" signifies that this instruction flows from God’s complete truth found in Christ, countering any claims of secret knowledge or human philosophical systems prevalent in Colossae. The repetition of "everyone" stresses the inclusive nature of the Gospel and the comprehensive commitment to each individual's spiritual journey. The ultimate purpose is "to present every person mature in Christ," reflecting the desired outcome of being fully grown, complete, and functional in faith and character through intimate union with Him. This holistic discipleship ensures a firm foundation, complete identity, and hopeful destiny rooted solely in Christ, enabling believers to navigate life, resist false teachings, and stand blameless before God.