Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
If so be that ye continue in the faith (ei ge epimenete th pistei). Condition of the first class (determined as fulfilled), with a touch of eagerness in the use of ge (at least). Epi adds to the force of the linear action of the present tense (continue and then some).
Pistei is in the locative case (in faith).
Grounded (teqemeliwmenoi). Perfect passive participle of qemeliow, old verb from qemeliov (adjective, from qema from tiqhmi, laid down as a foundation, substantive, I Corinthians 3:11 f.). Picture of the saint as a building like Ephesians 2:20.
Steadfast (edraioi). Old adjective from edra (seat). In N.T. only here, I Corinthians 7:37; I Corinthians 15:58. Metaphor of seated in a chair.
Not moved away (mh metakinoumenoi). Present passive participle (with negative mh) of metakinew, old verb, to move away, to change location, only here in N.T. Negative statement covering the same ground.
From the hope of the gospel (apo thv elpidov tou euaggeliou). Ablative case with apo. The hope given by or in the gospel and there alone.
Which ye heard (ou hkousate). Genitive case of relative either by attraction or after hkousate. The Colossians had in reality heard the gospel from Epaphras.
Preached (khruxqentov). First aorist passive participle of khrussw, to herald, to proclaim.
In all creation (en pash ktisei). Ktisiv is the act of founding (Romans 1:20) from ktizw (verse Colossians 1:16), then a created thing (Romans 1:25), then the sum of created things as here and Revelation 3:14. It is hyperbole, to be sure, but Paul does not say that all men are converted, but only that the message has been heralded abroad over the Roman Empire in a wider fashion than most people imagine.
A minister (diakonov). General term for service (dia, koniv, raising a dust by speed) and used often as here of preachers like our "minister" today, one who serves. Jesus used the verb diakonhsai of himself (Mark 10:45). Our "deacon" is this word transliterated and given a technical meaning as in Philippians 1:1.
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing Colossians 1:23:
Mark 13:10
Acts 14:22
1 Corinthians 3:5
Galatians 5:2
Ephesians 3:17
1 Thessalonians 2:18
1 Timothy 1:12
1 Timothy 2:7
1 Timothy 3:15
1 Timothy 3:16
1 Timothy 4:16
Hebrews 1:10
1 Peter 1:1
DISCLAIMER: Church of the Great God (CGG) provides these resources to aid the individual in studying the Bible. However, it is up to the individual to "prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good" (I Thessalonians 5:21). The content of these resources does not necessarily reflect the views of CGG. They are provided for information purposes only.