“An unfortunate verse division here. ‘In order that ye’ belongs with the verb at the beginning of verse 18, but the two participles are in the nominative plural, agreeing with ‘ye’, the subject of the verb, hence ‘in order that’ must be taken back into verse 17. “Having been rooted and grounded.’ The con struction is varied here, but these two perfect passive participles are practi cally equivalent to two purpose clauses; that is, that Christ may dwell ip order that ye Inay be rooted and grounded, the rooting and grounding being the re sult of Christ’s indwelling. The versions translate these as present participles, showing the continuance of the past ac tion down to the present time; we are because we have been.” “ Rooted ”—the word is’ used only here and in Col. 2:7 (“having been rooted in Him” ). A tree that is not well rooted is easily blown over. God desires that we be well rooted so as to stand Satan’s windstorms of temptation and so as to bear fruit (Psa. 1:3; Jer. 17:7, 8 ), fruit being the result of life. The verb translated “ground” occurs six times, and is .trans lated “lay the foundation of” (Heb. 1:10 ), “found” (Mat. 7:25; Luke 6 :4 8 ), “ground” (3 :1 7 ; Col. 1:23), “settle” (I Pet. 5 :10 ). The noun from this verb is translated “foundation” sixteen times (including 2:20, see note). God desires that we be well grounded, so as to stand the floods of trial and to stand fast in the faith (Matt. 7:24-27; Col. 1 :23 ), tw o impressively suggestive metaphors. “In love” — not the love of God nor the love of Christ, nor yet mere human love, but Christian love which comes from Christ, and which is the “bond of perfectness” (Col. 3:14 ). Love is the element in and from which we are to derive life and growth and fruit; love is the deep and firm founda tion upon which we are to be thorough ly established and securely settled. In Colossians the thought is rooted “in Him”, grounded in “the faith” (Col. 2 :7 ; 1:23). Verse 18 — “Mary be able to com prehend.” Bringing in “In order that ye,” from verse 17, the sentence stands, “In order that ye . . . may be able to comprehend.” It means to be mighty. 16
Y e r s e 17 —- “That Christ may dw ell, through faith, in your hearts.” The purpose of the strengthen ing with power through His Spirit is that Christ may dwell. The Spirit repre sents the risen Christ' in the heart (John 14:16, IS, 23; 16:7). When He is there Christ is there (Rom. 8:9, 10). The word translated “4well” in a compound katoikeo meaning to dwell down, settle into a permanent abode. The supreme purpose of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is to represent, reveal, bear wit ness of, and make real the living Christ. “Through faith,” as the means. This phrase is in an emphatic position here. Through faith we are saved (2:5, 8 ), are children of God (Gal. 3 :2 6 ), are jus tified (Rom. 5 :1 ), have Christ indwell ing (3 :1 7 ), are kept (I Pet. 1:5) have access (Rom. 5:2)-, stand (2 Cor. 1:24), walk (2 Cor. 5 :7 ), live (Rom. 1:17), have victory over the evil one (6 :1 6 ), have hearts purified (Acts 15:9), re joice with joy unspeakable and full of glory (I Pet. 1 :8 ), and many more. “In order that ye, having been rooted and grounded in love.” Tasker states,
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