The Pulpit Commentary on Colossians 1:13

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Translation into Christ's kingdom.

The apostle now proceeds to show how the Father makes us meet for the inheritance of saints. "Who delivered us from the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love."

I. THE ORIGINAL CONDITION OF ALL MEN. They are under "the power of darkness."

1. Consider the meaning of this darkness. There is a darkness that is seasonable; which, in the economy of nature, brings rest and recovery to man. This darkness is far different.

(4) It is the darkness of death (Psalms 88:12).

2.. It is darkness organized for the ruin of men. It is "the power of darkness"—an arbitrary, usurped power, and not "a true kingdom." The prince of darkness is at the head of this dreary realm and strives to keep all his slaves in darkness, lest "the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ Jesus should shine into them" (2 Corinthians 4:4).

II. THE RESCUE FROM THIS POWER OF DARKNESS. "Who delivered us." None but God can do this work. The strong man will keep his own till the stronger come (Luke 11:22). He delivers us in our effectual calling.

1. He enlightens our minds in the knowledge of Christ, who is "the trite Light." (John 8:12.)

2. He persuades and enables us to embrace Christ as offered in the gospel. (John 6:44; Philippians 2:13.)

3. He renews our wills and causes as to "walk in the light as he is in the light." (1 John 1:7.)

4.. He clothes us "with the armour of light." (Romans 13:12.)

III. THE NEW KINGDOM OF THE RESCUED CAPTIVES AND ITS NEW RELATIONS, "And translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love." The word usually suggests the transplanting of races and the settlement of them in a new territory.

1. The significance of the translation.

(a) from the world,

(b) from sin,

2. The new kingdom of the saints. "The kingdom of the Son of his love."

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