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Colossians 1:27–28 and the Other Verses of Colossians 1

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“As Moses lifted up the serpent [the serpent made of bronze described in Numbers 21:8–9] in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that whosoever believes in Him will have eternal life, for God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten [uniquely born] Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

“…for by grace you are saved through faith and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, lest any man should boast.”

Above is the content of John 3:14–16 and the content of Ephesians 2:8–9, respectively.  Itʼs worthwhile to refrain from receiving the mark referenced in Revelation 13:11–18 and to instead receive eternal life for free by believing that Jesus is the Savior.  Before doing any Bible studying and before praying to God the Father, it is useful for a person who has believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior to try to think of any sins that one might have committed since one last confessed oneʼs known post-salvation sins to God the Father, and if one has indeed committed any, to then silently confess those sins to God the Father—confessing only one time for each sin—in accordance with what is mentioned in 1 John 1:9:  

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

This webpage could be periodically updated.  If there is a mass disappearance of people professing to be Christians, and if the original author of this webpage is amongst those people disappearing en masse, then it is possible that this webpage will no longer be updated.  Also, if there is a mass disappearance of people professing to be Christians, it is worthwhile to consider the possibility that those people have exited from the earth on the occasion known as the Rapture instead of assuming that that mass disappearance involves extraterrestrials abducting those people or involves the annihilation of those people or involves anything else other than the Rapture.  

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Also, it is possible that it is worthwhile to print this content in case of time periods involving lack of Internet connectivity.  

When studying the Word of God, it is beneficial to keep in mind the content of Hebrews 4:12:  

“Indeed, the Word of God is alive and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of the soul and the spirit and of the joints and the marrow and is a critic of thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Note:  The heart refers to the mind.  

It is also beneficial to keep in mind the content of 2 Timothy 3:16–17 when studying the Word of God:  

“All Scripture is God breathed and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God might be mature, having been thoroughly furnished unto all good work.”

It is the responsibility of a pastor-teacher to endeavor to correctly understand the Word of God and then to accurately teach the Word of God, as per the content of 2 Timothy 2:15:  

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the Word of Truth.”

A pastor-teacher is a communicator rather than a crutch on which to be leaned.  In that regard, a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ should refrain from putting oneʼs trust in and thereby serving as a devoted follower of and thus worshiping a pastor-teacher.  Likewise, a believer should refrain from putting oneʼs trust in and thereby serving as a devoted follower of and thus worshiping anyone other than the Trinity [God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit], as per Joshua 24:15, the content of which references Joshua speaking to the Israelites:  

If it is disagreeable/bad/evil/wrong/wretchedness/displeasing in your sight to serve/worship Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One, choose for yourselves today whom you serve/worship:  whether the gods ['elohiym / false gods] which your fathers have served/worshiped which were beyond the river or the gods ['elohiym / false gods] of the Amorites in whose land you are living.  As for me and my house, we serve/worship Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One.

Note:  Joshua, the leader of the Israelites after Joshua had been serving as the assistant of Moses while Moses was the leader of the Israelites, set the example for the Israelites.  Joshua chose to put his trust in and thereby serve as a devoted follower of and thus worship God the Father rather than Joshua choosing to put his trust in and thereby serve as a devoted follower of and thus worship the lesser of multiple evils amongst multiple choices of 'elohiym [el-oh-HEEM].  The word 'elohiym with a lowercase e can refer to false gods, to angels, or to human rulers or judges.  The word 'Elohiym with a capital E refers to the Trinity.  The word 'elohiym can also be used to refer to might as in mightiness.  In that regard, the use of the word 'elohiym in reference to false gods, to angels, or to human rulers or judges involves the connotation of mightiness in comparison to an average human.  When a person puts oneʼs trust in and thereby serves as a devoted follower of and thus worships an angel or human, that angel or human is that personʼs false god.  Regarding the foregoing, the content of Joshua 24:15 involves Joshua calling attention to the choices that the Israelites had, and that content involves Joshua permitting the Israelites to make their choices while Joshua led by example with his choice.  

The gift of pastor-teacher is for the purpose of each pastor-teacher functioning as a messenger who communicates the Word of God rather than functioning as a priest between the Trinity and mankind.  In that regard, the time period that can be referred to as the Church Age started fifty days after the Lord Jesus Christ was resurrected, and all Church Age believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are priests.  The Lord Jesus Christ is the High Priest of Church Age believers, and believers should be willing to acknowledge/confess/profess to people the believersʼ faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, as per Hebrews 4:14–15:  

Therefore, since we have a great High Priest Who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast the acknowledgment/confession/profession.  Indeed, we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One Who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.

Also, the Lord Jesus Christ is the High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek [mel-KIZ-uh-dek], who was the ruler of Salem when Abraham was still named Abram.  Melchizedek was both a king and a priest, as per Genesis 14:18, which references Melchizedek greeting Abram:  

Then Melchizedek king of Salem has brought out bread and wine, and he is a priest of 'El [AYL] 'Elyown [el-YOHN] / God [focusing on God the Fatherʼs power] Most High.

The Lord Jesus Christ is also both a king and a priest because the Lord is the Priest according to the order of Melchizedek, as per Hebrews 7:14–17:  

Indeed, it is evident that our Lord has arisen from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests.  Also, it is still much more evident:  that according to the similarity of Melchizedek, Another of a different type of priest arises, Who has become such not on the basis of a law of fleshly command / physical requirement but according to the power of an indestructible life.  Indeed, it is attested:  “YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER, ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK.”

Note:  The Lord Jesus Christ is from the tribe of Judah.  Also, the Lord Jesus Christ is qualified to be a priest because He was resurrected and therefore has an indestructible body.  The above content in all capital letters is a reference to Psalm 110:4.  

Because a king is royalty, a king who is a priest is a royal priest.  In that regard, Church Age believers are royalty because they are members of the Lord Jesus Christʼs family.  Therefore, all Church Age believers are royal priests, as per 1 Peter 2:9–10:  

However, you are A CHOSEN PEOPLE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR ACQUISITION/PRESERVATION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him Who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light, for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are GODʼS PEOPLE.  You had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.

Note:  Before the Church Age, Gentiles were not Godʼs people.  In the Church Age, both Jewish and Gentile believers are Godʼs people.  The content of 1 Peter 2:10 references Hosea 2:23.  In that regard, Peter uses references involving Israel in the Old Testament to refer to Church Age believers.  

Itʼs the message rather than the messenger that should be the focus of the believer in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Put succinctly:  itʼs the message rather than the messenger.  In that regard, it is beneficial to keep in mind the content of Revelation 22:8–9, which was written by the apostle John, who, in addition to writing The Revelation to John, wrote The Gospel According to John, The First Epistle of John, The Second Epistle of John, and The Third Epistle of John:  

I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things, and when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed me these things, but he says* to me, “Do not do that.  I am a fellow servant of yours and of your brethren the prophets and of those who keep the words of this book.  Worship God.”

*Note:  The word says is in the Greek historical present tense.  By means of the Greek historical present tense, past action or future action can be described from the perspective of someone seeing the action as it occurs.  

Regarding messages, believers should use the Word of God to examine what is being communicated.  That is what the Bereans who are mentioned in Acts 17:10–12 did:  

The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, who, when they arrived, went into the synagogue of the Jews.  Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, who received the word with all eagerness / readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.  Therefore, many of them believed, and not a few prominent Greek women and men.

Note:  The phrase not a few means “quite a few.”  

Today, the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to meet believers in the Lord Jesus Christ in the clouds on the occasion of the Rapture is one day closer than it was yesterday.  The Rapture involves both deceased and living believers in the Lord Jesus Christ meeting the Lord in the clouds in the atmosphere of the earth, receiving glorified immortal resurrection bodies similar to the Lord Jesus Christʼs glorified resurrection body, and going to Heaven with those resurrection bodies.  Before the Rapture occurs, deceased believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are in Heaven without glorified bodies.  While it is possible that the Rapture will occur on the day of the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah [yahm tuh-ROO-uh or yohm tuh-ROO-uh]—which is what some people call Rosh Hashanah and which some people celebrate for two days—the next occurrence of which will possibly be during August, September, or October of 2026, it is worthwhile for believers in the Lord Jesus Christ to get into the habit of being prepared every day for the return of the Lord, just in case the Rapture will occur on a day other than the day of the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah.  Furthermore, it is worthwhile to be in the habit of being prepared for the Rapture so that if it does occur on the day of the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah, one can be prepared for that day because of already being in the habit of being prepared.  Examples of being prepared for the Rapture include applying the content of 1 John 1:9 whenever one sins, being unselfish, and whenever circumstances are such that an opportunity arises, sharing the gospel—the good news that believing that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Savior Who was judged on the cross for the sins of humanity is the means by which a person is able to have eternal life.  Regarding sharing the gospel, one could also have a written or printed message containing the gospel with that written or printed message located somewhere where it could be easily noticed so that if a person or people were to read or hear that written or printed message either before or after the Rapture occurs, that person or people would thereby read or hear the gospel by means of that written or printed message.  

Regarding information about the Rapture, it is beneficial to keep in mind the content of 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 and 1 Corinthians 15:51–52:  

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18

Now we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope, for if we believe that Jesus died and rose again—and we do indeed believe that Jesus died and rose again—so also God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus.  Indeed, this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive who remain until the coming of the Lord will not precede those who have fallen asleep, for the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout of command, with a voice of an archangel and with a trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive who remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.  Therefore, comfort one another with these words.

1 Corinthians 15:51–52

Behold, I tell you a mystery:  we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet, for a trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed.

After the Rapture will be the seven-year Tribulation.  The believers who will be alive on the earth when the Rapture occurs will escape the Tribulation.  1 Thessalonians 5:1–11 covers that topic.  In that regard, in the book 1 Thessalonians, the content of 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 is immediately followed by the content of 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11.  

1 Thessalonians 5:1–11

Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you, for you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord is coming just like a thief in the night.  While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape.  However, you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief, for you are all sons of light and sons of day.  We are not of night nor of darkness; therefore, let us not sleep as others, but let us be alert and sober.  Indeed, those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night.  However, since we are of day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and benevolence/goodwill, and as a helmet, the hope / absolute confidence of deliverance, for God has not destined us for wrath but for obtaining deliverance through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.  Therefore, comfort one another and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

Note:  In this context, the day of the Lord is the time period that consists of the Rapture, the seven years of the Tribulation, and the Second Advent.  In that regard, deliverance from the Tribulation is the deliverance in this context.  Also, unspecified is who will be saying “Peace and safety!”  In this context, sleeping refers to a lack of alertness.  The alertness in this context involves being ready for the Rapture.  In order to be ready for the Rapture, a believer needs to be filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit and to pay attention for historical trends such as people saying “Peace and safety!” and for historical trends that match the pattern of the world being on the brink of tremendous calamities like those that will occur during the Tribulation.  Regarding being filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit, once a believer commits a sin after salvation, that believer is no longer filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit and is out of fellowship with the Trinity.  After that believer has confessed/acknowledged to God the Father all of that believerʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins, fellowship with the Trinity and the filling with the power of the Holy Spirit are restored.  The procedure for confessing/acknowledging to God the Father all of oneʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins is mentioned in 1 John 1:9:  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  Fellowship with God the Father and God the Son is mentioned in 1 John 1.  Being out of fellowship with God the Holy Spirit is referenced in Ephesians 4:30.  In that regard, when a believer sins, that believer grieves the Holy Spirit.  Losing the filling of the power of God the Holy Spirit is referenced in 1 Thessalonians 5:19.  In that regard, when a believer sins, the power of God the Holy Spirit is quenched in that believer.  After a believer has confessed/acknowledged to God the Father all of that believerʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins, that believer is then filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit again and in fellowship with the Trinity again.  

The verses of the day for April 25th are Colossians 1:27–28.  The title of the book Colossians is also known as “The Epistle of Paul to the Colossians” and “The Letter of Paul to the Colossians.”  Colossians was a letter written by the apostle Paul to believers in the Lord Jesus Christ who were located in Colossae [kuh-LAHS-igh or kuh-LAHS-ee].  Some people refer to the city as Colosse [kuh-LAHS-ee].  The spelling Colossae and the pronunciation kuh-LAHS-igh are closer to the spelling and pronunciation of the Koine [KOI-nay] Greek name of the city:  Κολοσσαί [pronounced kah-lahs-SIGH and transliterated as Kolossai].  In Koine Greek, the diphthong [DIFF-thahng or DIP-thahng] ai is pronounced just like the English word eye.  Likewise, in Latin, the diphthong ae is pronounced just like the English word eye.  Also, when a word is transliterated from Greek into Latin, the letter k is replaced by the letter c.  

Below is a link to a map that shows the locations of Colossae and Laodicea [lay-uh-dih-SEE-uh or lay-ahd-ih-SEE-uh].  On that map, the word Hierapolis is misspelled with the i and the e transposed.  

https://NETBible.org/media/images/constable/51Col-1.jpg

For geographical context, below is a link to a map that shows the seven churches of Revelation.  The key for that map is located in grid coordinates B3 and C3.  The seven churches of Revelation are located in grid coordinate B2.  A list of those seven churches, sorted in order of mention in Revelation 2–3, is located in grid coordinate D1.  Laodicea is located in grid coordinate B2.  

https://Classic.NET.Bible.org/images/maps/nt2.jpg

If the above link is inaccessible, the below link can be tried instead.  

https://NETBible.org/media/images/maps/nt2.jpg

Because it is useful to study verses that share the same context, below is content related to Colossians 1.  

Colossians 1:1

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Timothy the brother, 

Note:  In this verse, the word brother refers to Timothy being a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ.  

Colossians 1:2

to the saints / holy ones / set-apart ones and faithful brethren in Christ at Colossae:  Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

Note:  All believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are saints.  In other words, they are holy, which means that they are set apart.  Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ have a relationship with the Trinity, while unbelievers lack a relationship with the Trinity.  At the moment of salvation, a believer becomes a saint / holy one / set-apart one.  

The phrase faithful brethren refers to the same people referenced by means of the phrase saints / holy ones / set-apart ones.  In that regard, the word brethren refers to believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.  The word faithful indicates that those believers in the Lord Jesus Christ were regularly obeying the Word of God.  

Colossians 1:3

We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,

Note:  All prayer must be addressed to God the Father, including prayers of thanksgiving.  In that regard, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself indicated that all prayer must be addressed to God the Father.  The content of Matthew 6:1–13 covers the Lord giving an example about how to pray.  In that regard, the content of Matthew 6:9 covers the Lord commanding that prayers be addressed to God the Father.  The content of Luke 11:1–4 also covers the Lord giving an example about how to pray.  In that regard, the content of Luke 11:2 covers the Lord commanding that prayers be addressed to God the Father.  

The phrase the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ refers to God the Fatherʼs relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ in terms of their roles.  In that regard, each Member of the Trinity performs a different role.  Regarding the roles of the Members of the Trinity, God the Father does the planning, God the Son executes the plan, and God the Holy Spirit reveals the plan.  The Lord Jesus Christ is God the Son.  

Colossians 1:4

since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the benevolence/goodwill which you have for/toward all the saints / holy ones / set-apart ones, 

Note:  The Koine Greek noun that is translated as “faith” in this verse is πίστιν [pronounced PEE-steen and transliterated as pistin].  That noun is an inflected form of the root word πίστις [pronounced PEE-stees and transliterated as pistis].  Depending on the context, the noun pistis can be translated as either “doctrine” or “faith.”  Doctrine is that in which one believes.  Faith is oneʼs action of believing in something.  In the context of this verse, pistin refers to a believerʼs action of believing.  Unspecified in this verse and the surrounding verses is whether Paulʼs usage of pistin refers to the Colossian believersʼ action of believing in the Lord Jesus Christ at the moment of salvation or whether Paulʼs usage of pistin refers to the Colossian believersʼ action of trusting that the Lord Jesus Christ would control circumstances for the benefit of those believers.  

Colossians 1:5

because of the assurance / hope / absolute confidence laid up for you in the heavens, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, of the gospel, 

Note:  The content of this verse references eternal rewards.  Regarding the word heavens, unspecified in this verse and the surrounding verses is whether Paulʼs use of the word heavens in this verse refers to the atmosphere of earth, to outer space, or to the location of the throne room of God the Father.  The content of 2 Peter 3:10–13 indicates that the Lord Jesus Christ will create new heavens and a new earth after destroying the current heavens and current earth.  Those heavens might be the first heavens (also known as the first heaven), which is the atmosphere of the earth, or those heavens might refer to the atmosphere of the earth and outer space, the latter of which is the second heavens (also known as the second heaven).  Those heavens donʼt seem to refer to the Third Heavens (also known as the Third Heaven or simply as Heaven), which is where the throne room of God the Father is located.  There is nothing in the Bible indicating that the Third Heavens are anything less than perfect; therefore, it is possible that it is unnecessary for the Third Heavens to be replaced.  Regarding the foregoing, it is possible that the content of Colossians 1:5 refers to eternal rewards in either the second heavens or the Third Heavens.  If the heavens that will be destroyed by the Lord Jesus Christ include the second heavens, then the content of Colossians 1:5 refers to eternal rewards in the Third Heavens.  If the heavens that will be destroyed by the Lord Jesus Christ do not include the second heavens, then the content of Colossians 1:5 refers to eternal rewards in either the second heavens, the Third Heavens, or both the second heavens and the Third Heavens.  

The gospel is the good news that believing that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Savior Who was judged on the cross for the sins of humanity is the means by which a person is able to have eternal life.  The Koine Greek noun that is translated as “gospel” in Colossians 1:5 is εὐαγγελίου [pronounced yoo-ahn-geh-LEE-oo and transliterated as euangeliou].  That noun is an inflected form of the root word εὐαγγέλιον [pronounced yoo-ahn-GEH-lee-ahn and transliterated as euangelion].  

Colossians 1:6

which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing / spreading abroad, even as in you also since the day you heard and understood / came really to know the grace of God in truth, 

Colossians 1:7

just as you learned from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bondservant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf,

Colossians 1:8

and he also informed us of your benevolence/goodwill by means of the Spirit.

Note:  It is by means of the filling power of God the Holy Spirit that a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ can exhibit benevolence/goodwill.  In that regard, once a believer commits a sin after salvation, that believer is no longer filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit and is out of fellowship with the Trinity.  After that believer has confessed/acknowledged to God the Father all of that believerʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins, fellowship with the Trinity and the filling with the power of the Holy Spirit are restored.  The procedure for confessing/acknowledging to God the Father all of oneʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins is mentioned in 1 John 1:9:  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  Fellowship with God the Father and God the Son is mentioned in 1 John 1.  Being out of fellowship with God the Holy Spirit is referenced in Ephesians 4:30.  In that regard, when a believer sins, that believer grieves the Holy Spirit.  Losing the filling of the power of God the Holy Spirit is referenced in 1 Thessalonians 5:19.  In that regard, when a believer sins, the power of God the Holy Spirit is quenched in that believer.  After a believer has confessed/acknowledged to God the Father all of that believerʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins, that believer is then filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit again and in fellowship with the Trinity again.  

Colossians 1:9

For this reason also, since the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the epignōsis knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

Note:  The phrase epignōsis knowledge found in the above translation and the phrase real knowledge found in the footnotes of the New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB 1995) and New American Standard Bible 2020 (NASB 2020) translations of Colossians 1:9 are translations of the Koine Greek noun ἐπίγνωσιν [pronounced eh-PEE-know-seen and transliterated into English as epignōsin].  That noun is an inflected form of the root word ἐπίγνωσις [pronounced eh-PEE-know-sees and transliterated as epignōsis (some people leave the macron off the o and transliterate the word as epignosis)].  In the NASB 1995 and NASB 2020 translations of various verses, the word epignōsis is translated as “knowledge,” “real knowledge,” and “true knowledge.”  When precisely translated, rather than simply referring to knowledge, the word epignōsis refers to that which is above or beyond ordinary knowledge.  The Koine Greek word for ordinary knowledge is γνῶσις [pronounced KNOW-sees and transliterated as gnōsis or gnosis].  In the Bible, epignōsis is used to refer to knowledge of the Word of God.  

Colossians 1:10

so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, unto all pleasing, bearing fruit in every good work and receiving growth by means of the epignōsis knowledge of God; 

Note:  In this verse, the Koine Greek noun translated as “epignōsis knowledge” is ἐπιγνώσει [pronounced eh-pee-KNOW-say].  That noun can be transliterated into English as epignōsei.  That noun is also an inflected form of the root word ἐπίγνωσις [pronounced eh-PEE-know-sees and transliterated as epignōsis (some people leave the macron off the o and transliterate the word as epignosis)].  As mentioned in the notes for verse 9, when precisely translated, rather than simply referring to knowledge, the word epignōsis refers to that which is above or beyond ordinary knowledge.  The Koine Greek word for ordinary knowledge is γνῶσις [pronounced KNOW-sees and transliterated as gnōsis or gnosis].  In the Bible, epignōsis is used to refer to knowledge of the Word of God.  

Colossians 1:11

strengthened with all power, according to the might of His glory, unto all steadfastness and patience with joy, 

Colossians 1:12

giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified us to share unto the inheritance of the saints / holy ones / set-apart ones in the light, 

Note:  As mentioned in the notes for verse 3, all prayer must be addressed to God the Father, including prayers of thanksgiving.  

Colossians 1:13

Who rescued us from the authority of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of the Son of His love/benevolence/goodwill,

Colossians 1:14

in Whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins, 

Note:  In this verse, the word redemption refers to payment of a ransom in order to liberate someone.  The Lord Jesus Christ, by being judged for the sins of humanity, paid the price that enables those who believe in Him as the Savior to be ransomed from the slave market of sin.  In that regard, redemption from eternal judgment is in the Lord Jesus Christ.  There is redemption in no one else.  In that regard, there is nothing in Colossians 1:14 about people themselves helping the Lord Jesus Christ with their redemption.  The content of that verse mentions that salvation is only through the One Who is mentioned in verse 13, and that Person is the Lord Jesus Christ.  In that regard, verses 9 through 15 are part of the same sentence.  When Colossians was written, it was not divided into chapter numbers and verse numbers.  

Colossians 1:15

Who is the Image of the invisible God, the Heir with reference to all Creation.

Note:  The Members of the Trinity have the exact same character.  Also, each Member of the Trinity performs a different role.  Regarding the roles of the Members of the Trinity, God the Father does the planning, God the Son executes the plan, and God the Holy Spirit reveals the plan.  The Lord Jesus Christ is God the Son.  Also, unspecified in this verse and the surrounding verses is whether God the Father is invisible to people on earth or invisible everywhere.  

In this verse, the Koine Greek adjective that is translated as “Heir” is Πρωτότοκος [pronounced proh-TAH-tah-kahs and transliterated as Prōtotokos].  That adjective is an inflected form of the root word πρωτότοκος [pronounced proh-TAH-tah-kahs and transliterated as prōtotokos].  The adjective prōtotokos is used to refer to the first son born to a family.  In that regard, the firstborn son of a family had the right to rule that family.  Regarding the right to rule a family, the person who inherits the right to rule a family can be referred to as the heir of that right to rule.  Translating Prōtotokos as “Heir” in this verse fits the context of this verse and the following verses.  If Paul were using Prōtotokos to refer to God the Son being created, then Paul would have included content related to the context of God the Son being created.  Instead, Paul uses wordplay.  Paul using wordplay is an aspect of Paulʼs writing style.  In that regard, content in verses 15 and 16 involves wordplay.  

Colossians 1:16

Concerning that, by means of Him all things were created, in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.

Note:  In the previous verse, Paul referenced God the Son by using the phrase the Heir with reference to all Creation, and in verse 16, Paul references God the Son as having created all of Creation.  In that regard, Paulʼs use of Prōtotokos in verse 15 involves a play on words related to the content of verse 16 because whereas Prōtotokos can be used to refer to the beginning of the life of something, Prōtotokos can also be used to refer to an heir, and the content of verse 16 is such that it is impossible for the use of Prōtotokos in verse 15 to be in reference to a beginning of life.  With regard to the impossibility of Paul using Prōtotokos in verse 15 to refer to a beginning of life, the content of verse 16 indicates that everything that has been created was created by God the Son, and absent from verse 16 is anything indicating that God the Son created Himself.  Because God the Son created everything that has been created, and because there is an absence of anything indicating that God the Son created Himself, it is logical to conclude that God the Son was never created.  In that regard, God the Son has always existed.  Because God the Son has always existed, it is impossible for the use of Prōtotokos in verse 15 to be in reference to a beginning of the life of God the Son.  Therefore, by process of elimination, it is logical to conclude that Paul uses Prōtotokos in verse 15 to refer to God the Son being the Heir with reference to all Creation.  

Regarding the foregoing, it is important to keep in mind any patterns in the writing style of an author of Scripture.  In that regard, if a believer were to ignore Paulʼs pattern of using wordplay, then that believer could end up making a childish assumption with regard to the content of Colossians 1:15.  In addition, if a believer were to look only at Colossians 1:15 without looking at the surrounding verses for clues regarding the context of the content of Colossians 1:15, then that believer could end up making a childish assumption with regard to the content of Colossians 1:15.  In that regard, the content of Colossians 1:16 provides context for the translation and interpretation of the content of Colossians 1:15.  Also, the content of Colossians 1:17 provides more information regarding the context of the content of Colossians 1:15.  

Colossians 1:17

He is before all things, and—by means of Himself—He has held together the all things.

Note:  Rather than God the Son existing before some of Creation, He existed before all of Creation.  In that regard, just as the content of Colossians 1:16 reveals that it is impossible for the use of Prōtotokos in Colossians 1:15 to be in reference to a beginning of the life of God the Son, so also the content of Colossians 1:17 reveals that it is impossible for the use of Prōtotokos in Colossians 1:15 to be in reference to a beginning of the life of God the Son.  Also, God the Son has maintained the existence of the earth as well as the entirety of the universe.  He will continue maintaining the existence of the earth as well as the entirety of the universe until the end of the Millennium, the 1,000-year reign of the Lord on the earth.  

With regard to the Millennium, below is a synopsis of human history as categorized into time periods known as dispensations.  In the below synopsis, there is the term hypostatic union [high-PUH-stat-ick YOON-yuhn].  This refers to the Lord Jesus Christ being 100% Deity and 100% humanity.  The English word hypostatic is derived from the Koine [KOI-nay] Greek word ὑπόστασις [pronounced hoo-PAH-stah-sees and transliterated as hypostasis].  After the Lord Jesus Christ was judged for the sins of humanity, His body was in the grave for three days and three nights.  He was then resurrected, and He was on the earth for forty days after He was resurrected.  He then ascended to Heaven, and ten days after that, the Day of Pentecost [PEN-tih-kahst] occurred.  The Day of Pentecost was the beginning of the Church Age.  The word Pentecost is derived from the Koine Greek word πεντηκοστή [pronounced pen-tay-kah-STAY and transliterated as pentēkostē].  That word is derived from the Koine Greek word πεντήκοντα [pronounced pen-TAY-kahn-tah and transliterated as pentēkonta], which means “fifty.”  Therefore, the word Pentecost is derived from the fact that that day occurred fifty days after the Lord was resurrected.  In that regard, the Church Age began fifty days after the Lord was resurrected.  The Church Age will end with the Rapture.  The Rapture involves both deceased and living believers in the Lord Jesus Christ meeting the Lord in the clouds in the atmosphere of the earth, receiving glorified immortal resurrection bodies similar to the Lord Jesus Christʼs glorified resurrection body, and going to Heaven with those resurrection bodies.  Before the Rapture occurs, deceased believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are in Heaven without glorified bodies.  Absent from the Bible is anything specifically indicating the precise date and time when the Rapture will occur, although it is possible that the Rapture will occur on the day of the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah [yahm tuh-ROO-uh or yohm tuh-ROO-uh]—which is what some people call Rosh Hashanah and which some people celebrate for two days—the next occurrence of which will possibly be during August, September, or October of 2026.  

Regarding the word judgment, the proper way to spell that word is without an e between the dg and the m.  In that regard, the e of the root word judge is dropped when the suffix ment is added to that root word.  The formation of the word judgment is shown below.  

judge −e +ment

= judg +ment

= judgment

Another way to categorize human history is by means of civilizations.  Civilizations begin only with believers.  Regarding the timing of civilizations and dispensations, the first civilization began with Adam and ended on the occasion of the Great Flood (also known as the Flood).  That civilization is known as the antediluvian civilization and the predulivian civilization.  In that regard, the prefixes ante and pre mean “before.”  Also, there are various spellings of the adjectives that refer to the time before the Flood.  Those spellings include antediluvian, ante-diluvian, prediluvian, and pre-diluvian.  

After the Flood, there were only eight believers on the earth:  Noah, his wife, their three sons, and their sonsʼ wives.  With the removal of the unbelievers from the earth on the occasion of the Flood, a new civilization was started.  That civilization is known as the postdiluvian civilization (also known as the postdiluvial civilization).  Regarding the terminology, the prefix post means “after,” and the adjectives diluvian and diluvial mean “having to do with a flood.”  Also, there are various spellings of the adjectives that refer to the time after the Flood.  Those spellings include postdiluvian, post-diluvian, postdiluvial, and post-diluvial.  The postdiluvian civilization will end on the occasion of the Second Advent of the Lord Jesus Christ.  On the occasion of the Second Advent, the Lord will remove all unbelievers from the earth.  Their removal will be by means of physical death just as the removal of all unbelievers was by means of physical death on the occasion of the Flood.  This is called the Baptism of Fire, which is either a metaphorical description because fire can be used to represent judgment or a literal reference to the use of fire in the judgment of unbelievers on the occasion of the Second Advent.  The Baptism of Fire is referenced in Matthew 3:11–12; Luke 3:15–17; and 2 Thessalonians 1:7–9.  

Just as a new civilization started after the Flood, so also a new civilization will start after the Baptism of Fire.  That civilization is called the Millennium.  The Millennium is both a civilization and a dispensation.  The Eternal State is also both a civilization and a dispensation.  

Colossians 1:18

He is also Head of the body, the Church, and He is the Beginning, the Firstborn from the dead so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything, 

Note:  In this verse, Paul uses the word body to refer to all Church Age believers collectively.  Regarding the word Church, the Koine Greek word translated as “Church” in this verse is Ἐκκλησίας [pronounced ek-klay-SEE-ahs and transliterated as Ekklēsias].  That noun is an inflected form of the root word ἐκκλησία [pronounced ek-klay-SEE-ah and transliterated as ekklēsia].  In addition to being used to refer to a collection of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, the word ekklēsia can be used to refer to an assembly of people.  For the sake of clarity when referring to Church Age believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, the word church with a lowercase c can be used to refer to a specific collection of Church Age believers rather than to all Church Age believers collectively, and the word Church with a capital C can be used to refer to all Church Age believers collectively.  

In Colossians 1:18, Paul uses another play on words with the word Prōtotokos.  In this verse, Paul uses Prōtotokos in relation to resurrection.  Paul does so with the phrase the Firstborn from the dead.  Regarding the phrase the Firstborn from the dead in Colossians 1:18, the Lord Jesus Christ received a resurrection body before any other humans will receive resurrection bodies.  Regarding receiving resurrection bodies, each Church Age believer will receive a resurrection body on the occasion of the Rapture.  Each believer who lived in the Age of the Gentiles will receive a resurrection body on the occasion of the Second Advent.  Each believer who lived in the Age of Israel and who did not then also live during the Church Age will also receive a resurrection body on the occasion of the Second Advent.  Each believer who will live and die during the part of the Age of Israel known as the Tribulation will also receive a resurrection body on the occasion of the Second Advent.  Each believer who will live during the Millennium will receive a resurrection body at the end of the Millennium.  

Colossians 1:19

for in Himself He is pleased all the fullness to dwell permanently,

Note:  In this verse, the Koine Greek noun that is translated as “Himself” is Αὐτῷ [pronounced ou-TOH and transliterated as Autō].  That noun is an inflected form of the root word αὐτός [pronounced ou-TAHS and transliterated as autos].  In this verse, Autō with a capital A is used and translated as “Himself” instead of autō with a lowercase a being used and being translated as “it” because in the preceding content, the closest singular noun that could be referenced with regard to indwelling is the word Himself.  In verse 19, the Koine Greek verb that is translated as “dwell permanently” is κατοικῆσαι [pronounced kah-toi-KAY-sigh and transliterated as katoikēsai].  That verb is an inflected form of the root word κατοικέω [pronounced kah-toi-KEH-oh and transliterated as katoikeō].  Regarding the foregoing, the content of verse 19 refers to the Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ indwelling His humanity.  Also, the word fullness in this verse calls attention to the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ is 100% Deity.  The Lord Jesus Christ is also 100% humanity.  In that regard, absent from this verse and the surrounding verses is anything indicating that the Lord is partially human.  As mentioned in the notes for verse 17, the Lord Jesus Christ being 100% Deity and 100% humanity is known as the hypostatic union.  

Colossians 1:20

and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross—through Him, whether things on earth or things in the heavens.

Note:  In this verse, the pronoun Himself refers to God the Father.  The other pronouns in this verse refer to the Lord Jesus Christ.  Worth noting is that the reconciling is done through the Lord Jesus Christ and no one else.  In that regard, the content of this verse indicates that people are unable to use their works to reconcile themselves to God the Father.  

The word blood in this verse is a metaphorical reference to the Lord Jesus Christ being judged on the cross for the sins of humanity.  That metaphor calls attention to the sacrificing of animals under the regulations of the Mosaic Law and before the Mosaic Law.  The term Mosaic Law refers to the laws communicated by Moses to the ancient Israelites.  Because Moses communicated those laws, they are known collectively as the Mosaic Law.  The Lord Jesus Christ fulfilled the Mosaic Law by being judged on the cross for the sins of humanity.  Now that the Lord Jesus Christ has fulfilled the Mosaic Law, people should refrain from sacrificing animals because such sacrifices have been invalidated by the Lord Jesus Christʼs fulfilling of the Mosaic Law when He received the judgment for the sins of humanity.  

Colossians 1:21

Therefore, although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, in evil deeds,

Colossians 1:22

yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach, 

Note:  In this verse, the pronoun Him refers to God the Father.  The other pronouns in this verse refer to the Lord Jesus Christ.  The death that is referenced in this verse refers to the Lord Jesus Christ being judged on the cross for the sins of humanity.  The reconciliation referenced in this verse refers to the providing of eternal salvation.  In that regard, when a person believes in the Lord Jesus Christ, that person is no longer an enemy of God the Father.  The reference to the Lordʼs fleshly body in this verse calls attention to the fact that the Lord had to take the form of a human in order to be judged for the sins of humanity.  

The phrase He has now reconciled you in this verse indicates that the reconciliation has already been accomplished; therefore, Paul is communicating to people who have already received eternal salvation.  Absent from the content of this verse and the surrounding verses is anything indicating that the reconciling of believers to God the Father is done by anything other than the Lord Jesus Christ being judged on the cross for the sins of humanity.  Also, the content of this verse indicates that the reconciling of the believers to whom this epistle is addressed has already been done.  In that regard, if peopleʼs works were needed for people to be reconciled to God the Father, then the content of this verse would need to indicate that the reconciling is not yet done.  Regarding the foregoing, the content of this verse indicates that people are unable to use their works to reconcile themselves to God the Father.  

The phrase that starts with the words in order to present you before Him refers to the Lord Jesus Christ presenting believers before God the Father.  That phrase reveals that there is more to a believerʼs life than eternal salvation.  In that regard, the phrase holy and blameless and beyond reproach is related to content in verse 23.  

Colossians 1:23

if indeed you continue in the doctrine firmly established and steadfast and not moved away from the assurance / hope / absolute confidence of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all Creation under Heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

Note:  In order for a believer to be holy and blameless and beyond reproach before God the Father, that believer needs to obey the Word of God.  The extent to which a believer fails to obey the Word of God is the extent to which that believer will fall short of holiness and blamelessness beyond reproach when that believer gets evaluated after going to Heaven.  Regarding the grammatical structure of verses 22 and 23, it is important to note that the conditional clause that starts with the word if in verse 23 is related to the matter of a believer being evaluated because the content related to the matter of a believer being evaluated immediately precedes the conditional clause.  The evaluation of Church Age believers is referenced in the content of 1 Corinthians 3:11–15 and also in 2 Corinthians 5:10.  

Regarding moving away from the assurance / hope / absolute confidence of the gospel, some believers refrain from obeying the Word of God.  Such a believer starts with assurance / hope / absolute confidence of the gospel at the moment of salvation but then loses that assurance / hope / absolute confidence of the gospel sometime after salvation.  In that regard, it is worth noting that Paul indicates that the assurance / hope / absolute confidence is that from which such a wayward believer moves rather than such a believer moving away from eternal life.  In that regard, the believer is eternally saved, but instead of that believer having assurance / hope / absolute confidence from the remembrance that that believer is eternally saved, that believer loses the assurance / hope / absolute confidence that that believer had had at the moment of salvation.  

Colossians 1:24

Now I rejoice in the sufferings on your behalf, and I fill up the deficiency of the pressures/afflictions of Christ in my flesh on behalf of His body, which is the Church, 

Note:  Paul remained happy even though he was suffering.  Also, Paulʼs suffering was related to his sharing of the Word of God with believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Paul recognized that his performing the function of teaching the Word of God would continue to involve suffering for Paul.  Also, Paul recognized that that suffering occurs because Paul is associated with the Lord Jesus Christ.  In that regard, Paul metaphorically referred to his suffering as filling up in himself.  Regarding that reference to himself, Paul uses a play on words related to his ministry of teaching believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Regarding Paulʼs use of a play on words related to his ministry of teaching believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, Paul uses the phrase my flesh, which refers to Paulʼs body, and Paul uses the phrase His body to refer to all Church Age believers collectively.  

Colossians 1:25

of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit so that I might fully make full the Word of God,

Colossians 1:26

the mystery which has been hidden from the ages and generations but has now been manifested to His saints / holy ones / set-apart ones,

Colossians 1:27

to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the assurance / hope / absolute confidence of glory.  

Note:  The Lord Jesus Christ indwells Church Age believers.  The Lord Jesus Christʼs indwelling of Church Age believers is an assurance that can give Church Age believers hope in the sense of absolute confidence that they will get to share in the glory that the Lord Jesus Christ receives in Heaven.  Also, the content of verses 26 and 27 indicates that the Lord Jesus Christʼs indwelling of Church Age believers was a mystery before the Lord Jesus Christʼs indwelling of Church Age believers was revealed in the New Testament.  

God the Father willed that what had been the mystery concerning the Lord Jesus Christʼs indwelling of Church Age believers would be revealed among the Gentiles.  In mentioning that, Paul calls attention to the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ indwells all Church Age believers, whether Jew or Gentile.  That is significant because in Israel, the Tabernacle—and later, the First Temple after the First Temple replaced the Tabernacle, and then the Second Temple after the First Temple had been destroyed and the Second Temple had been built—is where God the Son was manifested as the Shekinah Glory [shuh-KIGH-nuh GLOR-ee] above the Ark of the Covenant.  The Tabernacle was a tent structure, one third of which was behind a veil near the back of the Tabernacle.  The section of the Tabernacle outside the veil is known as the Holy Place.  The section of the Tabernacle behind the veil is known as the Holy of Holies, the Most Holy Place, or the Holy Place inside the veil.  In the Holy of Holies was the Ark of the Covenant (also known as the Ark of the Testimony).  

The below link shows the cross-shaped layout of the items in the Tabernacle and in the associated courtyard with the eastward direction pointing downward.  The opening of the courtyard and the opening of the Tabernacle both faced eastward, which is the direction where the sun rises.  With the eastward direction pointing downward, the cross-like layout can be seen from the perspective of an upright cross.  

https://NETBible.org/media/images/constable/02Exo-5.jpg

Only the high priest of Israel could enter the Holy of Holies, and he could only do so on one day per year:  the Day of Atonement.  Because the Israelites lived a nomadic lifestyle at times, the Tabernacle and the contents thereof needed to be moved.  It is unspecified in the Bible how the Tabernacle was disassembled.  When it was disassembled, the Ark of the Covenant would be visible to the Israelites and any other onlookers.  Also, the Ark of the Covenant was carried into battle by the Israelites.  The Ark of the Covenant would be visible to the Israelites and any other onlookers on such occasions also.  

When the Tabernacle was assembled, if anyone other than the high priest of Israel entered the Holy of Holies, that person would die.  Likewise, if the high priest entered the Holy of Holies on any day other than the Day of Atonement, he would die.  In addition, when the high priest of Israel entered the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement, he had to follow specific procedures; otherwise, he would die.  Leviticus 16 covers the matter of the high priest and entering the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement.  In that regard, Mosesʼs brother Aaron was the first high priest of Israel.  Also, in Leviticus 16, the Holy of Holies is referred to as the Holy Place inside the veil.  

The English word Shekinah is related to the Hebrew word שָׁכַן [pronounced shah-KAN and transliterated as shakan].  (Hebrew is written and read from right to left.)  Regarding the Hebrew word shakan, below are quotes from the Strongʼs Definition section of the webpage at https://www.BLBClassic.org/lang/lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?strongs=H7931&t=NASB95.  

“to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)”

“abide, continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-er), have habitation, inhabit, lay, place, (cause to) remain, rest, set (up)”

Colossians 1:28

We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with / by means of all wisdom, so that we may present every man mature in Christ, 

Note:  The goal of Paul and Timothy was that believers have opportunities to learn the Word of God so that those believers would be able to become spiritually mature.  In that regard, spiritual maturity comes from learning the Word of God.  

Colossians 1:29

toward which also I toil / labor to the point of exhaustion, striving / struggling / endeavoring with strenuous zeal / laboring fervently according to His working that works within me.

Note:  The focus of Paulʼs laboring was for the purpose of helping believers in the Lord Jesus Christ learn the Word of God.  In this verse, the Koine Greek verb that is translated as “toil” or “labor to the point of exhaustion” is κοπιῶ [pronounced kah-pee-OH and transliterated as kopiō].  That verb is an inflected form of the root word κοπιάω [pronounced kah-pee-AH-oh and transliterated as kopiaō].  Rather than Paul simply laboring, Paul was working so hard that that work exhausted Paul.  Also, the inflected form kopiō is in the present tense.  In that regard, Paulʼs use of that verb in the present tense indicates that Paulʼs working to the point of exhaustion was an ongoing process.  

In this verse, the Koine Greek verb that is translated as “striving,” “struggling,” “endeavoring with strenuous zeal,” or “laboring fervently” is ἀγωνιζόμενος [pronounced ah-goh-nee-DZAH-meh-nahs and transliterated as agōnizomenos].  That verb is an inflected form of the root word ἀγωνίζομαι [pronounced ah-goh-NEE-dzah-migh and transliterated as agōnizomai].  The Koine Greek verb agōnizomai is derived from the Koine Greek noun ἀγών [pronounced ah-GOHN and transliterated as agōn].  The Koine Greek noun agōn can be translated as “struggle,” “race,” “battle,” “conflict,” “contention,” “fight,” or “grueling conflict.”  In that regard, the English word agony is derived from the Greek word agōn.  Regarding Paulʼs use of the verb agōnizomai in this verse, Paulʼs sharing of the Word of God with believers involved tremendous exertion.  Even though tremendous exertion was being done by Paul, he gave credit to the Lord Jesus Christ regarding that exertion.  

From the context of the content of verse 27, it is logical to conclude that the pronoun His in verse 29 refers to the Lord Jesus Christ.  Regarding the phrase His working that works within me, the only detail that the content of verse 29 provides regarding that working is that that working is in Paul.  Absent from this verse and the preceding verses are any other details about how the Lord Jesus Christ was working in Paul.  In that regard, the focus of that phrase is on the Lord Jesus Christ doing the work.  Regarding Paulʼs use of that phrase, while Paul stated the fact that he had been laboring strenuously, he then directed focus away from himself and toward the Lord Jesus Christ.  In that regard, rather than Paul being preoccupied with himself, Paul was instead focused on the Lord Jesus Christ.  Focusing on the Lord Jesus Christ can be referred to as occupation with Christ.  Regarding being focused on the Lord Jesus Christ, Paul led by example.  In that regard, believers should focus on the Lord Jesus Christ.  

In order to be focused on the Lord Jesus Christ, a believer needs to learn the Word of God while that believer is in fellowship with the Trinity and thereby filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit and then obey the Word of God while in fellowship with the Trinity and thereby filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit.  In that regard, once a believer commits a sin after salvation, that believer is no longer filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit and is out of fellowship with the Trinity.  After that believer has confessed/acknowledged to God the Father all of that believerʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins, fellowship with the Trinity and the filling with the power of the Holy Spirit are restored.  The procedure for confessing/acknowledging to God the Father all of oneʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins is mentioned in 1 John 1:9:  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  Fellowship with God the Father and God the Son is mentioned in 1 John 1.  Being out of fellowship with God the Holy Spirit is referenced in Ephesians 4:30.  In that regard, when a believer sins, that believer grieves the Holy Spirit.  Losing the filling of the power of God the Holy Spirit is referenced in 1 Thessalonians 5:19.  In that regard, when a believer sins, the power of God the Holy Spirit is quenched in that believer.  After a believer has confessed/acknowledged to God the Father all of that believerʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins, that believer is then filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit again and in fellowship with the Trinity again.  

Sincerely,

John