The Naked Bible Podcast

Naked Bible 229: Colossians 2:6-8

9 snips
Aug 18, 2018
A close reading of Colossians 2:6-8 unpacks Greek grammar that shapes views of sanctification. Discussion contrasts God’s primary role with human cooperation and what “receiving Christ” entails. The meaning of stoicheia is explored, including Jewish and Second Temple links and how angelic or elemental ideas could diminish Christ’s supremacy.
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INSIGHT

Sanctification Is Grounded In The Faith Event

  • Paul links receiving Christ (a completed act) and walking in him so sanctification remains grounded in faith, not works.
  • Michael S. Heiser shows Greek hos can mean comparison or grounds, making sanctification derivative from the initial faith decision.
INSIGHT

Greek Tenses Show God Started Sanctification

  • The Greek aorist indicative for received marks a completed, factual event and links subsequent participles to that one-time reception.
  • Heiser explains the aorist plus perfect/passive and present participles signal God rooted believers at reception and ongoing divine activity thereafter.
INSIGHT

Participles Reveal Sequence And Divine Agency

  • Paul uses a perfect passive participle (rooted) then present passives (built up, established) and an active present (abounding) to convey sequence and agency.
  • Heiser reads this as God doing the rooting/building while believers respond actively with thanksgiving.
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