What Does Colossians 1:28 Mean?

(28) **Warning every man, and teaching.**—In “warning” is implied the idea of reproof of folly or sin. (See 1Thessalonians 5:14; 2Thessalonians 3:5.) “Teaching” is simply instruction—including, of course, practical exhortation—of those already warned. **Perfect.**—See Ephesians 4:13; Philippians 3:15, and Notes there. Here, however, as in 1Corinthians 2:6-7, the reference may be to the sense of “perfect “as “initiated in mystery.” St. Paul, in opposition to the exclusive claim of “perfection” by the speculators in mystic knowledge (“falsely so called”) would present “every man,” learned or ignorant, “perfect before God.” In this universality of privilege lies the glorious distinction between the gospel and all schools of philosophy, whether they reject or assume its name.