And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

COLOSSIANS 1:21KJV
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Colossians 1:21 (KJV)

What does Colossians 1:21 mean?

Colossians 1:21 says that the people Paul is writing to were once separated from God and even hostile toward Him in their thoughts and actions, but now God has brought them back into a relationship with Himself. The verse highlights a dramatic change from being distant and opposed to God to being reconciled with Him.

Paul, the writer, is addressing believers in the city of Colossae. He reminds them of their past state—alienated and enemies in their minds because of their wrong actions—and contrasts it with their present state of being reconciled to God. This sets up the importance of what Jesus has done for them, which Paul explains more in the surrounding verses.

The Greek behind Colossians 1:21

  • ἀπηλλοτριωμένους (apēllotriōmenous, "alienated"): This word means to be estranged or cut off from a group or relationship. Paul uses it to show a total separation from God, not just a distant feeling but a real break in relationship.
  • ἐχθροὺς (echthrous, "enemies"): This Greek word means hostile or actively opposed. Paul points out that the separation was not neutral; it involved an attitude of opposition toward God.
  • διανοίᾳ (dianoia, "mind"): This refers to the inner thoughts, understanding, or mindset. Paul is saying the hostility was not just in actions but rooted deep in their thinking.
  • κατηλλάγητε (katēllagēte, "reconciled"): This word means to be restored to favor or brought back into a right relationship. The emphasis is on God taking the initiative to mend what was broken.

Why Colossians 1:21 matters

  • Colossians 1:21 clarifies that separation from God is not just about outward actions but begins in the mind and heart, showing the depth of the problem before reconciliation.
  • The verse emphasizes that reconciliation is something God has done, not something people achieved on their own, which sets the stage for understanding grace in the rest of the letter.
  • By reminding the Colossians of their past alienation, Paul helps them appreciate the significance of what Christ has accomplished, making the message of reconciliation more personal and powerful.

Where else these words appear

“alienated” Greek G526 · used in 3 verses

  • Ephesians 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
  • Ephesians 4:18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

“reconciled” Greek G604 · used in 3 verses

  • Ephesians 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
  • Colossians 1:20 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.

“mind” Greek G1271 · used in 13 verses

  • Matthew 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
  • Ephesians 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
  • Hebrews 10:16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

“now” Greek G3570 · used in 21 verses

  • Romans 3:21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
  • 1 Corinthians 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
  • Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.