Colossians 1:23

“If ye continue in the faith, etc.] In the doctrine of faith which they had received and embraced; and in the grace of faith, and the exercise of it which was implanted in them; and in the profession of faith which they had made: not that the virtue and efficacy of Christ's blood, sufferings, and death, and reconciliation of their persons to God thereby, depended upon their faith, and abiding in it; but that faith and continuance in it were necessary means of their presentation in unblemished holiness and righteousness; for if they had not faith, or did not abide in it or if the good work of grace was not wrought upon their souls, and that performed until the day of Christ, they could not be…”

“If--"Assuming that," &c.: not otherwise shall ye be so presented at His appearing (Col 1:22). grounded--Greek, "founded," "fixed on the foundation" (compare Note, see on Eph 3:17; Luk 6:48-49). settled--"steadfast." "Grounded" respects the foundation on which believers rest; "settled," their own steadfastness (Pe1 5:10). Co1 15:58 has the same Greek. not moved away--by the false teachers. the hope of the gospel-- (Eph 1:18). which ye have heard . . . which was preached to every creature . . . whereof I . . . am . . . a minister--Three arguments against their being "moved away from the Gospel": (1) Their having heard it; (2) The universality of the preaching of it; (3) Paul's ministry in it.…”

“If ye continue in the faith - In the belief of the gospel, and in holy living. If this were done, they would be presented unblameable be fore God; if not, they would not be. The meaning is, that it will be impossible to be saved unless we continue to lead lives becoming the gospel. Grounded - On a firm foundation; see the notes at Ephesians 3:17, where the same word occurs. And settled - Greek, “firm;” as a building is that is founded on a rock; compare Matthew 7:25. And be not moved away from the hope of the gospel - By the arts of philosophy, and the allurements of sin. Which was preached to every creature which is under heaven - It cannot be supposed that it was literally true that every…”

“If ye continue in the faith - Otherwise, ye will lose all the blessings which ye have already begun to enjoy. And be not removed from the hope of the gospel - The glorious hope of perfect love. Which is preached - Is already begun to be preached to every creature under heaven. Colossians 1:24”

“1:23 preached all over the world (literally preached to every creature under heaven): The point of Paul’s hyperbole (exaggeration for emphasis) is that centers for preaching the Good News had been established in key cities throughout the Roman world (see also 1:6).”

“ye continue: Psa 92:13, Psa 92:14, Psa 125:5; Eze 18:26; Hos 6:3, Hos 6:4; Zep 1:6; Mat 24:13; Luk 8:13-15, Luk 22:32; Joh 8:30-32, Joh 15:9, Joh 15:10; Act 11:23, Act 14:22; Rom 2:7; Gal 4:11, Gal 5:7, Gal 6:9; Th1 3:5; Heb 3:6, Heb 3:14, Heb 4:14, Heb 10:38; Pe1 1:5; Pe2 2:18-22; Jo1 2:27; Rev 2:10 grounded: Col 2:7; Mat 7:24, Mat 7:25; Luk 6:48; Eph 2:21, Eph 3:17, Eph 4:16 moved: Joh 15:6; Act 20:24; Co1 15:58; Th1 3:3 the hope: Col 1:5; Rom 5:5; Gal 5:5; Eph 1:18; Th1 5:8; Th2 2:16; Tit 3:7; Heb 6:19; Pe1 1:3; Jo1 3:1-3 to: Col 1:6; Mat 24:14; Mar 16:15; Rom 10:18 under: Deu 2:25, Deu 4:19; Lam 3:66; Act 2:5, Act 4:12 whereof: Col 1:25; Act 1:17, Act 1:25, Act 26:16; Rom 15:16; Co1…”