V.18 The importance of the assembly (church) to Christ. Speaking reverently, the Lord Jesus is not complete without us, for we are His body (Eph. 1:2323Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Ephesians 1:23)).
V.19 Christ’s body, which took abuse, shame and suffering here on earth, is the dwelling place of Father, Son and Holy Spirit forever.
V.20 The whole of the creation is going to be “reconciled” (brought back) into a paradise (or garden of delights), when the Lord Jesus comes in His glory. This is future of course.
V.21 But this is present. We believers have already been brought back to God and stand before Him in all the perfectness of Christ Himself.
V.23 Notice the “if.” The Colossians were on a dangerous course. They were drifting toward adding philosophy and traditions to Christianity. Do not confuse this with thinking that anyone could be lost after they are saved, for that is impossible. But there is our responsibility side. Paul did not want to lull them to sleep, into thinking that they could go on as they wished. Many people who claimed to be Christians, later turned out to be the bitterest enemies of Christ. “They went out from us because they were not of us” (1 John 2:1919Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. (John 2:19)).
V.24-29 He says that he was God’s servant to tell the “mystery” or secret. This “mystery” is that Jew and Gentile are now one in Christ.