The Meaning of Colossians 1:5 Explained

Colossians 1:5

KJV: For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;

YLT: because of the hope that is laid up for you in the heavens, which ye heard of before in the word of the truth of the good news,

Darby: on account of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens; of which ye heard before in the word of the truth of the glad tidings,

ASV: because of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel,

KJV Reverse Interlinear

For  the hope  which  is laid up  for you  in  heaven,  whereof  ye heard before  in  the word  of the truth  of the gospel; 

What does Colossians 1:5 Mean?

Context Summary

Colossians 1:1-8 - The Gospel Bearing Fruit
The saints are men of faith, for their holiness is derived from Christ, but they are also faithful men, and will not betray their trust. Grace is the Greek and peace the Hebrew greeting. We can do a great deal with those whom we desire to correct or instruct, if we begin by commending all that is worthy of being praised. Thus the Apostle rejoices in the evidences of the trinity of Christian graces-Faith, Hope, and Love. His prayer-book was filled with intercession. One marvels at the accomplishment of this extraordinary man, who, in addition to his travels, labors, writings, and toil for his daily bread, had time for such abundant prayerfulness.
There is a note of triumph in his reference to the reception given to the gospel in all the world. The handful of corn on the top of the mountains was already beginning to shake like Lebanon. It seemed as though victory was assured; and if only the Church had possessed more men like him, the world would have been saved some sad experiences. Note the unaffected humility of the Apostle in classing Epaphras with himself as his beloved fellow-servant in the household of God. [source]

Chapter Summary: Colossians 1

1  After salutation Paul thanks God for the Colossians' faith;
7  confirms the doctrine of Epaphras;
9  prays further for their increase in grace;
14  describes the supremacy of Christ;
21  encourages them to receive Jesus Christ, and commends his own ministry

Greek Commentary for Colossians 1:5

Because of the hope [δια την ελπιδα]
See note on Romans 8:24. It is not clear whether this phrase is to be linked with ευχα ιστουμεν — eucha istoumen at the beginning of Colossians 1:3 or (more likely) with την αγαπην — tēn agapēn just before. Note also here πιστις — pistis (faith), αγαπη — agapē (love), ελπις — elpis (hope), though not grouped together so sharply as in 1 Corinthians 13:13. Here hope is objective, the goal ahead. [source]
Laid up [αποκειμεινην]
Literally, “laid away or by.” Old word used in Luke 19:20 of the pound laid away in a napkin. See also αποτησαυριζω — apothēsaurizō to store away for future use (1 Timothy 6:19). The same idea occurs in Matthew 6:20 (treasure in heaven) and 1 Peter 1:4 and it is involved in Philemon 3:20. Ye heard before (προηκουσατε — proēkousate). First aorist indicative active of this old compound προακουω — proakouō though only here in the N.T. Before what? Before Paul wrote? Before the realization? Before the error of the Gnostics crept in? Each view is possible and has advocates. Lightfoot argues for the last and it is probably correct as is indicated by the next clause. In the word of the truth of the gospel “In the preaching of the truth of the gospel” (Galatians 2:5, Galatians 2:14) which is come They heard the pure gospel from Epaphras before the Gnostics came. [source]
Ye heard before [προηκουσατε]
First aorist indicative active of this old compound προακουω — proakouō though only here in the N.T. Before what? Before Paul wrote? Before the realization? Before the error of the Gnostics crept in? Each view is possible and has advocates. Lightfoot argues for the last and it is probably correct as is indicated by the next clause. [source]
In the word of the truth of the gospel [εν τωι λογωι της αλητειας του ευαγγελιου]
“In the preaching of the truth of the gospel” (Galatians 2:5, Galatians 2:14) which is come They heard the pure gospel from Epaphras before the Gnostics came. [source]
For the hope [διὰ τὴν ἐλπίδα]
The A.V. connects with we give thanks (Colossians 1:3). But the two are too far apart, and Paul's introductory thanksgiving is habitually grounded on the spiritual condition of his readers, not on something objective. See Romans 1:8; 1 Corinthians 1:4; Ephesians 1:15. Better connect with what immediately precedes, love which ye have, and render as Rev., because of the hope, etc. Faith works by love, and the ground of their love is found in the hope set before them. Compare Romans 8:24. The motive is subordinate, but legitimate. “The hope laid up in heaven is not the deepest reason or motive for faith and love, but both are made more vivid when it is strong. It is not the light at which their lamps are lit, but it is the odorous oil which feeds their flame” (Maclaren). Hope. See on 1 Peter 1:3. In the New Testament the word signifies both the sentiment of hope and the thing hoped for. Here the latter. Compare Titus 2:13; Galatians 5:5; Hebrews 6:18; also Romans 8:24, where both meanings appear. Lightfoot observes that the sense oscillates between the subjective feeling and the objective realization. The combination of faith, hope, and love is a favorite one with Paul. See 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 1 Corinthians 13:13; Romans 5:1-5; Romans 12:6-12. [source]
Laid up [ἀποκειμένην]
Lit., laid away, as the pound in the napkin, Luke 19:20. With the derivative sense of reserved or awaiting, as the crown, 2 Timothy 4:8. In Hebrews 9:27, it is rendered appointed (unto men to die), where, however, the sense is the same: death awaits men as something laid up. Rev., in margin, laid up for. Compare treasure in heaven, Matthew 6:20; Matthew 19:21; Luke 12:34. “Deposited, reserved, put by in store out of the reach of all enemies and sorrows” (Bishop Wilson). [source]
Ye heard before [προηκούσατε]
Only here in the New Testament, not in Septuagint, and not frequent in classical Greek. It is variously explained as denoting either an undefined period in the past, or as contrasting the earlier Christian teaching with the later heresies, or as related to Paul's letter (before I wrote), or as related to the fulfillment of the hope (ye have had the hope pre -announced). It occurs several times in Herodotus in this last sense, as ii. 5, of one who has heard of Egypt without seeing it: v., 86, of the Aeginetans who had learned beforehand what the Athenians intended. Compare viii. 79; vi. 16. Xenophon uses it of a horse, which signifies by pricking up its ears what it hears beforehand. In the sense of mere priority of time without the idea of anticipation, Plato: “Hear me once more, though you have heard me say the same before” (“Laws,” vii., 797). I incline to the more general reference, ye heard in the past. The sense of hearing before the fulfillment of the hope would seem rather to require the perfect tense, since the hope still remained unfulfilled. [source]
The word of the truth of the Gospel []
The truth is the contents of the word, and the Gospel defines the character of the truth. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Colossians 1:5

Galatians 5:5 The hope of righteousness [ἐπίδα δικαιοσύνης]
Hope for the object of hope, as Romans 8:24; Colossians 1:5; Hebrews 6:18; Titus 2:13. The phrase means that good which righteousness causes us to hope for. Comp. hope of the calling (Ephesians 1:18; Ephesians 4:4): hope of the gospel (Colossians 1:23). [source]
1 Thessalonians 2:19 Hope []
Used of the object of hope, as Colossians 1:5; 1 Timothy 1:1; Hebrews 6:18. [source]
1 Thessalonians 1:3 Work - labor - patience [ἔπργου - κόπου - ὑπομονῆς]
Ἔργον workmay mean either the act, the simple transaction, or the process of dealing with anything, or the result of the dealing, - as a book or a picture is called a work. Κόπος laborfrom κόπτειν tostrike or hew; hence, laborious, painful exertion. Ὑπομονὴ patiencepatient endurance and faithful persistence in toil and suffering. See on 2 Peter 1:6; see on James 5:7. The genitives, of faith, love, hope, mark the generating principles of the work and labor and patience, which set their stamp upon each; thus, work which springs from faith, and is characteristic of faith. The phrase patience of hope is found only here; but see Romans 5:4; Romans 8:25; Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 8:7; Hebrews 7:11, Hebrews 7:12. ὑπομονὴ in lxx, see 1 Chronicles 29:15; Job 14:19; Psalm 9:18; Psalm 38:7; Jeremiah href="/desk/?q=jer+4:8&sr=1">Jeremiah 4:8. We have here the great triad of Christian graces, corresponding to 1 Corinthians 8:1-13. Hope is prominent throughout the two Epistles. The triad appears, 1 Thessalonians 5:8; Galatians 5:5, Galatians 5:6; 1 Corinthians 8:13; Ephesians 4:2-5; Colossians 1:4, Colossians 1:5; Hebrews 10:22-24; 1 Peter 1:21-22. Comp. 1 Thessalonians 2:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:8; 2 Thessalonians 3:5, 2 Thessalonians 3:8; 1 Corinthians 15:10, 1 Corinthians 15:58; 2 Corinthians 11:27; Revelation 2:2. [source]
2 Timothy 4:8 There is laid up [ἀπόκειται]
Or laid away. In Pastorals only here. In Paul, see Colossians 1:5(note). Luke 19:20of the pound laid up in a napkin. [source]
2 Timothy 4:8 There is laid up for me [αποκειται μοι]
Present passive of αποκειμαι — apokeimai old verb, to be laid away. See note on Colossians 1:5 for the hope laid away. Paul‘s “crown of righteousness” That great and blessed day (2 Timothy 1:12, 2 Timothy 1:18). The righteous judge “The just judge,” the umpire who makes no mistakes who judges us all (2 Corinthians 5:10). Shall give me (αποδωσει μοι — apodōsei moi). Future active of αποδιδωμι — apodidōmi “Will give back” as in Romans 2:6 and in full. But also to all them that have loved his appearing Dative case of the perfect active participle of αγαπαω — agapaō to love, who have loved and still love his second coming. Επιπανεια — Epiphaneia here can as in 2 Timothy 1:10 be interpreted of Christ‘s Incarnation. [source]
Titus 3:7 According to the hope of eternal life [κατ ' ἐλπίδα ζωῆς αἰωνίου]
Const. of eternal life with heirs, and rend. heirs of eternal life according to hope. Comp. Romans 4:18; Romans 5:2; Romans 8:24; Galatians 5:5; Colossians 1:5, Colossians 1:27; Titus 1:2; 1 Peter 1:3; 1 John 3:2, 1 John 3:3. [source]
Hebrews 9:27 It is appointed [ἀπόκειται]
Lit. is laid by in store. Comp. Luke 19:20; Colossians 1:5(see note); 2 Timothy 4:8. [source]
Hebrews 9:27 It is appointed [αποκειται]
Present middle (or passive) of αποκειμαι — apokeimai “is laid away” for men. Cf. same verb in Luke 19:20; Colossians 1:5; 2 Timothy 4:8 (Paul‘s crown). Once to die Once for all to die, as once for all to live here. No reincarnation here. After this cometh judgment Death is not all. Man has to meet Christ as Judge as Jesus himself graphically pictures (Matt 25:31-46; John 5:25-29). [source]
James 1:18 By the word of truth [λογωι αλητειας]
Instrumental case λογωι — logōi The reference is thus to the gospel message of salvation even without the article (2 Corinthians 6:7) as here, and certainly with the article (Colossians 1:5; Ephesians 1:13; 2 Timothy 2:15). The message marked by truth (genitive case αλητειας — alētheias). [source]
James 1:18 He brought us forth [απεκυησεν]
First aorist active indicative of αποκυεω — apokueō (James 1:15), only here of the father (4 Macc. 15:17), not of the mother. Regeneration, not birth of all men, though God is the Father in the sense of creation of all men (Acts 17:28.).By the word of truth (λογωι αλητειας — logōi alētheias). Instrumental case λογωι — logōi The reference is thus to the gospel message of salvation even without the article (2 Corinthians 6:7) as here, and certainly with the article (Colossians 1:5; Ephesians 1:13; 2 Timothy 2:15). The message marked by truth (genitive case αλητειας — alētheias).That we should be Purpose clause εις το — eis to and the infinitive ειναι — einai with the accusative of general reference ημας — hēmās (as to us).A kind of first-fruits (απαρχην τινα — aparchēn tina). “Some first-fruits” (old word from απαρχομαι — aparchomai), of Christians of that age. See Romans 16:5. [source]
1 Peter 1:4 Reserved [τετηρημένην]
Lit., which has been reserved, a perfect participle, indicating the inheritance as one reserved through God's care for his own from the beginning down to the present. Laid up and kept is the idea. The verb signifies keeping as the result of guarding. Thus in John 17:11, Christ says, “keep ( τήρησον ) those whom thou hast given me;” in John 17:12, “I kept them” ( ἐτήρουν )i.e., preserved by guarding them. “Those whom thou gavest me I guarded ( ἐφύλαξα ).” So Rev., which preserves the distinction. Similarly, John 14:15, “keep ( τηρήσατε ) my commandments;” preserve them unbroken by careful watching. So Peter was delivered to the soldiers to guard him ( φυλάσσειν ), but he was kept ( ἐτηρεῖτο ) in prison (Acts 12:4, Acts 12:5). Compare Colossians 1:5, where a different word is used: ἀποκειμένην , lit., laid away. [source]
1 Peter 1:23 Word of God [λόγου Θεοῦ]
The gospel of Christ. Compare 1 Peter 1:25, and Peter's words, Acts 10:36. Also, Ephesians 1:13; Colossians 1:5; James 1:18. Not the personal Word, as the term is employed by John. Nevertheless, the connection and relation of the personal with the revealed word is distinctly recognized. “In the New Testament we trace a gradual ascent from (a) the concrete message as conveyed to man by personal agency through (b )the Word, the revelation of God to man which the message embodies, forming, as it were, its life and soul, to (c) The Word, who, being God, not only reveals but imparts himself to us, and is formed in us thereby” (Scott, on James 1:18, “Speaker's Commentary”). [source]
1 Peter 1:4 Incorruptible [απταρτον]
Old compound adjective (alpha privative and πτειρω — phtheirō to corrupt), imperishable. So many inheritances vanish away before they are obtained.Undefiled (αμιαντον — amianton). Old verbal adjective (note alliteration) from alpha privative and μιαινω — miainō to defile, without defect or flaw in the title, in N.T. only here, James 1:27; Hebrews 13:4.That fadeth not away Alliterative and verbal adjective again from alpha privative and μαραινω — marainō (to dry up, to wither, as in James 1:11), late and rare word in several inscriptions on tombs, here only in N.T. These inscriptions will fade away, but not this inheritance in Christ. It will not be like a faded rose.Reserved (τετηρημενην — tetērēmenēn). Perfect passive participle of τηρεω — tēreō old verb, to take care of, to guard. No burglars or bandits can break through where this inheritance is kept (Matthew 6:19.; John 17:11.). Cf. Colossians 1:5, where laid away” (αποκειμενην — apokeimenēn) occurs.For you More graphic than the mere dative. [source]
1 Peter 1:4 That fadeth not away [αμαραντον]
Alliterative and verbal adjective again from alpha privative and μαραινω — marainō (to dry up, to wither, as in James 1:11), late and rare word in several inscriptions on tombs, here only in N.T. These inscriptions will fade away, but not this inheritance in Christ. It will not be like a faded rose.Reserved (τετηρημενην — tetērēmenēn). Perfect passive participle of τηρεω — tēreō old verb, to take care of, to guard. No burglars or bandits can break through where this inheritance is kept (Matthew 6:19.; John 17:11.). Cf. Colossians 1:5, where laid away” (αποκειμενην — apokeimenēn) occurs.For you More graphic than the mere dative. [source]
1 Peter 1:4 Reserved [τετηρημενην]
Perfect passive participle of τηρεω — tēreō old verb, to take care of, to guard. No burglars or bandits can break through where this inheritance is kept (Matthew 6:19.; John 17:11.). Cf. Colossians 1:5, where laid away” (αποκειμενην — apokeimenēn) occurs. [source]

What do the individual words in Colossians 1:5 mean?

because of the hope - being laid up for you in the heavens which you heard of before the word of truth the gospel
διὰ τὴν ἐλπίδα τὴν ἀποκειμένην ὑμῖν ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς ἣν προηκούσατε τῷ λόγῳ τῆς ἀληθείας τοῦ εὐαγγελίου

διὰ  because  of 
Parse: Preposition
Root: διά  
Sense: through.
ἐλπίδα  hope 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ἐλπίς  
Sense: expectation of evil, fear.
τὴν  - 
Parse: Article, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἀποκειμένην  being  laid  up 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle or Passive, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ἀπόκειμαι  
Sense: to be laid away, laid by, reserved.
ὑμῖν  for  you 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative 2nd Person Plural
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
οὐρανοῖς  heavens 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Plural
Root: οὐρανός  
Sense: the vaulted expanse of the sky with all things visible in it.
προηκούσατε  you  heard  of  before 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: προακούω  
Sense: to hear before.
λόγῳ  word 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: λόγος  
Sense: of speech.
ἀληθείας  truth 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: ἀλήθεια  
Sense: objectively.
εὐαγγελίου  gospel 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root: εὐαγγέλιον  
Sense: a reward for good tidings.