Colossians 1:23a
Colossians 1:23a – “…if indeed you continue in the faith…”
This phrase describes the condition on which the promises of verses 21 and 22 rest. In most English translations, the first word in Colossians 1:23 is the word “if.” That can be a little misleading. It is tempting to read this verse as if it were saying that everything in verses 21-22 is true on the condition that you “continue in the faith” and there is a possibility that you will not continue. However, that is not at all what the verse is saying.
The grammatical construction of this statement is such that it assumes the condition being stated will be met. The phrase “if indeed you continue in the faith” is not intended to raise doubts about their continuing. Rather, it is an expression of confidence that they will continue. The phrase can be translated, “...seeing that you will or because you will continue in the faith...” As one NT scholar put it, “The Greek indicates not an uncertain prospect but ... a certain assumption. Paul is at once insistent and confident. They must continue [in the faith], and he is sure they will.” [Radford, quoted in Vaughn, p.50]
(For more detailed notes on Colossians go to http://www.larryreynolds.org-a.googlepages.com/home)
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