I just finished working on Colossians 1:28 and what a neat passage that is! Paul says some very interesting things. First of all, the verse begins with “whom” referring back to Christ from the previous verse. Next, Paul says it is Him whom he preaches, admonishing and teaching all men. Some commentators take the term “admonishing” to refer to evangelism; admonishing non-believers to trust Christ, the content of Paul’s preaching. Then, he teaches the church and the content of that teaching, I suppose, is undefined in this letter. But as Peter T. O’Brien points out in his excellent commentary, ¹O’Brien, Peter T. Word Biblical Commentary: Colossians, Philemon (Waco, TX: Word Books, 1982). I wouldn’t recommend it for someone who does not know Greek since it relies on Greek pretty heavily. Still, if you’re willing to wade through unfamiliar words, the English packed in between them has some fantastic things to say! the word “admonishing” is used by Paul mostly to explain his work with new Christians. So, the content of Paul’s admonishing and teaching is Christ, whom he preaches.

Next, Paul uses the term “all men” three times in this verse. It is an interesting construction. The term “all” is singular, denoting each and every one and the term “men” is a plural version of the generic term for mankind. What that indicates is that Paul is interested in each and every individual believer without respect of their class, race, social-standing, education, etc. He ends the verse pointing out that he wants to present all men “complete in Christ.” O’Brien sums it up well, “as a true pastor Paul will not be satisfied with anything less that the full Christian maturity of every believer” (O’Brien, p. 90).

Two things come to my mind here. First, how many pastors and teachers would say that they don’t want to present every believer complete in Christ? Not many I’d wager. Yet, when I hear preaching and teaching on the radio, so often the content is “do’s and don’t’s” or “principles” or examples. Let’s take Paul’s lead here and preach Christ and Him crucified because that will lead believers to full maturity (1Co 2:2, 2Pt 1:3). The more you know about Jesus, the more mature you become.

This is even more pointed when you realize that Paul has shifted back to the plural “we” in this verse from the singular “I” he had been using. It is Paul and his companions who are doing this. Let’s follow Paul and his companions. Let’s be concerned for each individual believer under our care, not just that they come to church on Sunday, but that they come to know Christ better and grow in maturity by such knowledge. Let’s pray for believer’s maturity like Epaphras did (Col 1:7-10, 4:12). That is real pastoral care. Not entertaining the sheep but feeding them.