Colossians 1:28

We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Paul writes to the Colossian church, a Gentile congregation, in the middle of a passage (1:27–29) describing the mystery of Christ in them and his own labor on their behalf. He speaks as an apostle entrusted with this message to a community he has not yet visited in person.

The words — καταγγέλλω (katangellō) is the main verb, a compound of kata- and ἀγγέλλω, the same root as ἄγγελος; it carries the force of a public, authoritative declaration rather than casual speech. The two present participles νουθετοῦντες and διδασκόντες mark admonishing and teaching as the ongoing manner of that proclamation, not separate activities.

The thread — The goal of "presenting everyone perfect" mirrors Paul's language for the church in Ephesians 5:27, where Christ presents the church to himself without blemish. The means—teaching and admonishing with knowledge—echoes the shepherds of Jeremiah 3:15 who feed with knowledge and understanding, and the equipping work of Ephesians 4:11.

Why it lands — The verse makes the end goal explicit: not information, not moral improvement in the abstract, but a person presented as complete in Christ. It asks the reader to measure ministry—given or received—against that standard rather than against activity or volume.

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

Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

Cross-references

Ephesians 5:27 and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless.
Jeremiah 3:15 Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.”
Ephesians 4:11 And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,
Matthew 5:48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
2 Timothy 2:24 And a servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and forbearing.
1 Corinthians 2:6 Among the mature, however, we speak a message of wisdom—but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.
Colossians 1:22 But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy, unblemished, and blameless in His presence—
Acts 20:31 Therefore be alert and remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.
2 Corinthians 11:2 I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. For I promised you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.