Colossians 1:28 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Whom we preach— All this discourse centers in the great view of engaging the Colossians to adhere to genuine Christianity; and it is pleasing to observe how everyverse, and almost every clause, suggests more directly orobliquely some strong argument to that purpose. The words every man occurring no less than three times in the compass of this one verse, shews that St. Paul laid great stress upon them. The meaning of the last clause is, "I labour that my ministry may have that effect upon all my hearers, whether Jews or Gentiles, as that every one of them may appear perfect in the sight of God." Nor need it seem strange that the Apostle should speak of this presenting, as his own act, since he uses a somewhat similar expression elsewhere, 2 Corinthians 11:2. I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ: the expression here seems used in allusion to the offerings presented to God under the law. When he says perfect in Christ Jesus, he hints, that they had not, and could not have, this perfection by the Mosaical law.