And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
21. And whereas ye were formerly. The general doctrine which he had set forth he now applies particularly to them, that they may feel that they are guilty of very great ingratitude, if they allow themselves to be drawn away from Christ to new inventions. And this arrangement must be carefully observed, because the particular application of a doctrine, so to speak, affects the mind more powerfully.
We taste redemption's benefits in our hearts first, then follow those streams back to their source in Christ's work. The Father works this grace in us by His Spirit, and if we feel the comfort of it, He must have all the glory for it.
AI summary
Commenting on Colossians 1:12-29
And you that were sometime alienated,.... The general blessing of grace and reconciliation, which belongs to the whole body of Christ, the church universal, all the elect of God, whether in heaven or in earth, is here particularly applied to the saints at Colosse, who were eminent instances of it; and that the free grace of God towards them in it might more illustriously appear...