As people grow more like Christ, their lives are more righteous, and are so produce more fruit. These three aspects of what Paul means by ‘complete’ are not in competition, but are complimentary. Those justified in Christ, regenerated by God’s Spirit, will necessarily become more righteous over time through the work of the Spirit. And as a person becomes increasingly righteous, the fruit of their righteous behaviour will multiply over time. The biblical evidence is that Paul has all three aspects in mind as he gave himself to ministry, day after day.

‘Christ is the one we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, to present everyone complete in Christ’ (Col 1:28). For many of us, this is a very familiar summary of the means and purpose of Christian ministry. Many Christian organisations riff on it in their mission statements. Long may God enable us to do this, keeping the main game the main game. It is worth noting that Paul’s means of ministry does not change once someone comes to faith in Christ—he persists in proclaiming Christ to Christians.

Presenting People to God

I have recently been pondering the purpose of ministry, inspired by this verse. Paul clearly has the day of judgement in mind. He anticipates that he will accompany people into the presence of God, much like a servant may present people to a monarch. Paul works hard to this end, strenuously contending with Christ’s powerful energy (v. 29). The use of ‘we’ in verse 28 indicates others work alongside Paul. It is not the privilege of all co-workers to present people to God. If you are involved in the work of the Lord (1 Cor 15:58), you will present people to God. I presume you will also be presented to God by those who have proclaimed Christ to you.

Paul does not want to present people who are unfit to be in the presence of a good and holy God. Instead, he longs to present complete people. The word Paul uses can mean ‘meeting the highest standard’, or ‘being fully grown, mature’. Think of an object that is perfect in beauty and function, or a performance that garners a perfect 10 from the judges. Such people will light up the occasion and be worthy of the monarch to whom they bow. As Paul wrote earlier, he aims to ‘present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation’ (v. 22).

Presenting People Complete

Paul could be describing the end point of sanctification. By God’s Spirit we are all being transformed to be more like Christ in all his fullness. Paul strives to make each person as close to Christ-like maturity as he can. If this is the case, the purpose of ministry is to grow converts in maturity, instead of leaving them to flounder as infants in Christ. To use a mathematical image: if we mapped Christ-likeness over time, we labour to see an upwardly sloped line, rising towards the standard of completeness.

But I don’t think that is the only way of understanding what Paul has in mind. Earlier in Colossians chapter 1, Paul completed the thought of ‘to present you holy in his sight’ by, ‘if indeed you continue in your faith … not moved from the hope held out in the gospel’ (v. 23).

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