Colossians 1:19-23 (NKJV) For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.
21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.
V19 “For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell…” The fullness refers to the idea that Jesus is the God-Man–100% God and 100% human male. When the Father was pleased to do this explains His plan and ministry for His Son. Whatever Jesus needed to accomplish His mission, He had. We can apply this to ourselves. Whatever we need to fulfill His call and commission, we will have. Jesus had the fulness of God, because He is God. Jesus had the fullness of man, because He is a man. Jesus had the fullness of the Spirit, because He had been given such a important ministry. Because He is God, Jesus has the same essence as the Father and as the Holy Spirit. Because He is a man, Jesus had the limits of humanity (particularly regarding His flesh).
V20 “…and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.” Jesus is the only one who can and has reconciled believers with God (1 Timothy 2:5 and 2 Corinthians 5:17-18). The condition of reconciliation to God is Faith. Him in v20 refers to Jesus. Himself in V20 refers to the Father. Things on earth refers to creation, the universe. It also specifically refers to humans who are separated from God because of the sin nature and sinful acts. Death is separation. Sin separates one from God. Jesus’s ministry was to reconcile God and humans through paying the sin debt/penalty as the Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7). The peace is in contrast to ourselves as enemies of God (Romans 5:10).
V21 “And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled…” Alienated is the Greek word (G0526) ἀπαλλοτριόω apallotrioō, which means (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Abridged – Little Kittel)) “To estrange or alienate,’ found in the NT only in Col. 1:21 and Eph. 2:12; 4:18 for the state prior to reconciliation. It refers only to this state insofar as it is culpable and not to its presuppositions.” Separated previously but now reconciled. Enemies previously but now at peace. Jesus is the one and only reconciler. Reconcile in English is to bring together.
V22 “…in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight—…” Jesus needed to be a full human–body, soul, and spirit to be the Passover Lamb. He needed to die to pay the penalty for a person’s sins. Because of His ministry in death and resurrection we have 3 things applied by God on us–holiness (justified), blamelessness (a holy life with confession and avoidance of sins), and above reproach (because of Jesus’s ministry) as God views us.
V23 “…if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.” If = a condition: having faith means all is well and 2) lack of faith needs acknowledgment of sin and its confession (“forgive me”). Grounded and steadfast in loyalty, faithfulness, and obedience. Moved away = drifting into error of doctrine and/or sin. Preached refers to both general revelation (Romans 1:18-21 and Psalm 19:1-6. Paul was commissioned as an Apostle to preach the Gospel. The condition of remaining holy, blameless, and above reproach is to continue in the faith that the Lord Jesus directly or through His Apostles taught regarding God’s worldview, lifestyle, and rules.