Colossians 1:28 Meaning and Explanation
“Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Paul's whole labor has one aim: to bring every person to full maturity in Christ.
The Context of Colossians 1:28
Paul is describing the heart of his ministry to the Colossians and beyond. The word "every man" rings out three times in a single sentence, hammering home that no one is too small to be included.
What Does Colossians 1:28 Mean?
Paul names the center of everything he does in one word: "Whom we preach." The message is a Person, Christ. Around that center he gathers his work, warning and teaching with all the wisdom he has. And notice who it is all for. Three times he says "every man," with no one left out, the wise and the simple, the strong and the struggling, each one worth the full effort. His goal is to "present every man perfect," to bring each person to maturity, fully grown up into Christ.
That word "perfect" points to ripeness and completeness, a person grown into all they were made to be. And the soil where that growth happens is "in Christ Jesus." Paul is trying to bring them home to Christ and see them flourish there, far more than to make them impressive. It is a tender and tireless ambition, that every person would be carried toward fullness in the Lord who loves them, with no one overlooked.
Colossians 1:28 in the Original Language
teleios (τέλειος), 'perfect' -- complete, mature, fully grown to its intended end.
How to Apply Colossians 1:28 Today
God's desire is that we grow up into Him, complete and mature, going far beyond where we first began with Christ. We can take comfort that in His eyes no one is overlooked: every person, including each of us, is worth the patient work of being carried toward fullness in Jesus.
Frequently Asked Questions About Colossians 1:28
What does Colossians 1:28 mean?
Paul's whole labor has one aim: to bring every person to full maturity in Christ.
What is the context of Colossians 1:28?
Paul is describing the heart of his ministry to the Colossians and beyond. The word "every man" rings out three times in a single sentence, hammering home that no one is too small to be included.
How can I apply Colossians 1:28 today?
God's desire is that we grow up into Him, complete and mature, going far beyond where we first began with Christ. We can take comfort that in His eyes no one is overlooked: every person, including each of us, is worth the patient work of being carried toward fullness in Jesus.