Bible Commentary

Colossians 3:4

Colossians 3:4

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public Domain

When Christ shall be manifested, our (or, your,) life, then shall ye also with him be manifested in glory (; ; 1 Corinthians 1:7; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 1 Timothy 6:15; 2 Timothy 2:10-12; 2 Timothy 4:8; ; 1 ; 1 ).

Our future destiny, with our present redemption (), is wrapped up in Christ. Our life is not only "with him" (); it is "himself" (; ; ; ; 1 ); he is its source and ground, way and rule, means and end—its all (: comp.

; ; , ; ; ; ; , etc.). From the hour of his ascension he has been hidden (; ; 1 Peter 1:8); and his manifestation is as much a part of the Christian creed as his death and resurrection (; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; 2 Thessalonians 1:10; 2 Thessalonians 2:8; 1 Corinthians 15:23; ; 2 Timothy 4:1; ; 1 , 1 ; , ).

Then the Christian will have his manifestation also with him, in the "revelation of the sons of God" (); who will receive their second "adoption, to wit, the redemption of their body" ().

"Seeing him as he is" in his glory, "we shall be like him" (1 ) in glory. At last the spiritual life of the soul will have its due organic expression, in a body perfect and heavenly as itself (1 Corinthians 15:35-49; 2 Corinthians 5:1-5).

This is already the case with our human nature in Christ (); and the change will proceed from the Head to the members (1 Corinthians 15:23), who will be conformed to his "body of glory," as now they are being conformed to his spiritual image (, , ; ; 2 Corinthians 3:18; ; 1 ).

The textual change from "your" to "our" is doubtful (see note on ). Observe that "Christ" is repeated four times in the last four verses.

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