Colossians 1:20

and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through the blood of His cross.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Paul to the Colossians, mid-hymn (1:15–20), sandwiched between the claim that God's fullness dwells in Christ (v.19) and the reminder that the readers were once alienated and hostile (v.21).

The words — ἀποκαταλλᾶξαι (apokatallaxai) carries the prefix ἀπο- "away, thoroughly" over the base "to set in order," suggesting a complete restoration rather than a partial repair. The preposition διὰ (dia) marks Christ as the instrument through which this happens, not merely the beneficiary.

The thread — 2 Corinthians 5:18 states God reconciled us to Himself through Christ; Ephesians 1:10 frames the same scope as a plan to unite all things in heaven and on earth in Christ.

Why it lands — The verse pairs total scope ("all things, whether on earth or in heaven") with a single, costly mechanism ("the blood of His cross"), asking the reader to hold both the breadth of the reconciliation and the price of it without softening either.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

Cross-references

2 Corinthians 5:18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
Ephesians 1:10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to bring all things in heaven and on earth together in Christ.
1 John 4:9 This is how God’s love was revealed among us: God sent His one and only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him.
Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.
Colossians 1:21 Once you were alienated from God and were hostile in your minds, engaging in evil deeds.
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Hebrews 2:17 For this reason He had to be made like His brothers in every way, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, in order to make atonement for the sins of the people.
Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Hebrews 13:20 Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,