Colossians 1:21
And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀπηλλοτριωμένους
alienated
G526
ἀπηλλοτριωμένους
alienated
Strong's:
G526
Word #:
5 of 17
to estrange away, i.e., (passively and figuratively) to be non-participant
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐχθροὺς
enemies
G2190
ἐχθροὺς
enemies
Strong's:
G2190
Word #:
7 of 17
hateful (passively, odious, or actively, hostile); usually as a noun, an adversary (especially satan)
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
διανοίᾳ
in your mind
G1271
διανοίᾳ
in your mind
Strong's:
G1271
Word #:
9 of 17
deep thought, properly, the faculty (mind or its disposition), by implication, its exercise
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔργοις
works
G2041
ἔργοις
works
Strong's:
G2041
Word #:
12 of 17
toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Ephesians 2:12That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:Ephesians 4:18Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:Ephesians 2:19Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;Romans 1:30Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
Historical Context
Greco-Roman society divided humanity into civilized Greeks/Romans and barbarians. Judaism divided into Jews and Gentiles. Both systems assumed inherent superiority of the privileged group. Paul demolishes such pride: all—Jew and Gentile, civilized and barbarian—were equally God's enemies, equally needing reconciliation. The gospel levels human distinctions before addressing them as reconciled equals in Christ.
Questions for Reflection
- Do you remember your pre-conversion alienation from God, or have you sanitized your past into something less offensive?
- How does recognizing yourself as God's former enemy deepen appreciation for Christ's reconciling work?
- Where do you still operate with hostile thinking toward God—doubting His goodness, resisting His will, questioning His wisdom?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled. After cosmic reconciliation (v. 20), Paul personalizes: "and you." The Colossians were apēllotriōmenous (ἀπηλλοτριωμένους, "alienated"), estranged from God like foreigners barred from citizenship. "Enemies in your mind" (echthrous tē dianoia, ἐχθροὺς τῇ διανοίᾳ) indicates not merely neutral distance but active hostility originating in rebellious thinking.
"By wicked works" (en tois ergois tois ponērois, ἐν τοῖς ἔργοις τοῖς πονηροῖς) shows sin's fruit: hostile minds produce evil deeds. The Gentile Colossians once lived in typical pagan immorality described elsewhere (3:5-7). This stark portrait of pre-conversion condition prevents any illusion of human merit or natural goodness. We were God's enemies, not innocent seekers.
"Yet now hath he reconciled" (nyni de apokatēllaxen, νυνὶ δὲ ἀποκατήλλαξεν) presents stunning reversal. The aorist tense indicates completed action—reconciliation accomplished at Calvary. God didn't wait for enemies to become friends; He reconciled us while hostile (Romans 5:8-10). This is grace: unilateral divine initiative overcoming human rebellion.