The Pulpit Commentary on Colossians 3:4

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

The believer's final manifestation with Christ.

"When Christ, who is our Life, shall be manifested, then shall ye also with him be manifested in glory." The believer's life will not be always hidden, any more than the believer's Lord. There will be a period of manifestation for both. This marks the last stage of spiritual life.

I. CHRIST IS THE ESSENCE OF OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE. This is more than saying that our life is hid with him or that he is the Author of it. "He that hath the Son hath life" (1 John 5:12; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 1:21). We possess this life in virtue of our union with him and his resurrection (John 14:19).

II. WE SHALL SHARE WITH HIM IN HIS FINAL MANIFESTATION. 1, The manifestation of Christ is the "blessed hope" of the saints. (Titus 2:13; 1 Timothy 6:14; 2 Timothy 1:10; 2 Timothy 4:1-8.) He will then be seen as he is (1 John 3:2), though mockers may ask, "Where is the promise of his coming?" (2 Peter 3:4). He will then appear glorious in his person, glorious in his retinue of angels, glorious in his authority.

2. We shall share in that manifestation. "It doth not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is" (1 John 3:1, 1 John 3:2); "We wait for the Saviour" (Philippians 3:21); "The glory thou hast given me I have given them" (John 17:22); "If so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together" (Romans 8:17). We shall be manifested with Christ in the glory of our complete manhood, when the conjunction of soul and body shall be perfect and indissoluble. We may well set our mind on things above in view of such a glorious prospect.—T. C.

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