Colossians 1:28

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Colossians 1:28 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “whom we proclaim, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

whom we proclaim, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ;
Colossians 1:28 — American Standard Version

Context — Colossians 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
28whom we proclaim, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ;

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Whom we preach, etc.] Under the above considerations; as the riches, the glory, and the mystery of the Gospel; as the hope set before lost sinners to lay hold upon; as the only Saviour and Redeemer, by whose righteousness believers are justified, through whose blood their sins are pardoned, by whose sacrifice and satisfaction atonement is made, and in whose person alone is acceptance with God: Christ and him crucified, and salvation by him, were the subjects of the ministry of the apostles; on this they dwelt, and it was this which was blessed for the conversion of sinners, the edification of saints, the planting of churches, and the setting up and establishing the kingdom and interest of…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“preach--rather as Greek, "announce" or "proclaim." warning . . . teaching--"Warning" is connected with repentance, refers to one's conduct, and is addressed primarily to the heart. "Teaching" is connected with faith, refers to doctrines, and is addressed primarily to the intellect. These are the two heads of evangelical teaching. every . . . every man--without distinction of Jew or Gentile, great or small (Rom 10:12-13). in all wisdom--with all the wisdom in our method of teaching that we possess: so ALFORD. But Col 1:9; Col 3:16, favor ESTIUS' view, which refers it to the wisdom communicated to those being taught: keeping back nothing, but instructing all in the perfect knowledge of the…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Whom we preach, warning every man - This does not mean warning of danger, but “admonishing all of the claims of the gospel to attention.” Our word warn is commonly used in the sense of cautioning against danger. The Greek word here means to put in mind; to admonish; to exhort. The idea of the apostle is, that he made it his great business to bring the offers of the gospel fairly before the mind of every man. As it had the same claims on all; as it might be freely offered to all, and as it furnished the only hope of glory, he made it the object of his life to apprize every man of it, as far as he could. And teaching every man - Paul made it his business to instruct men, as well as to exhort…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“We teach the ignorant, and admonish them that are already taught. Next: Colossians Chapter 2”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Whom: Act 3:20, Act 5:42, Act 8:5, Act 8:35, Act 9:20, Act 10:36, Act 11:20, Act 13:38, Act 17:3, Act 17:18; Rom 16:25; Co1 1:23, Co1 15:12; Co2 4:5, Co2 10:14; Eph 3:8; Phi 1:15-18; Ti1 3:16 warning: Jer 6:10; Eze 3:17-21, Eze 33:4-9; Mat 3:7; Act 20:27, Act 20:28, Act 20:31; Co1 4:14; Th1 4:6, Th1 5:12-14 teaching: Deu 4:5; Eze 7:10; Ecc 12:9; Mat 28:20; Mar 6:34; Eph 4:11; Ti1 3:2; Ti2 2:24, Ti2 2:25 in all: Pro 8:5; Jer 3:15; Luk 21:15; Co1 2:6, Co1 2:15, Co1 12:8; Pe2 3:15 we may: Col 1:22; Co2 11:2; Eph 5:27 perfect: Col 2:10; Co1 1:30; Eph 4:12, Eph 4:13; Heb 10:14, Heb 13:21 Colossians 1:29”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification