1:23a

if indeed you continue in your faith: Paul’s words in 1:23 are part of the same sentence that he began in 1:21. This verse states the condition for 1:22. 1:22 will only be true if the Colossian Christians continue in their faith.

continue in your faith: In Greek the words that the Berean Standard Bible translates continue in your faith are literally “continue in the faith.” It means “continue to believe” or “keep believing.” The object of their faith is probably the gospel. So if you need to supply the object of the verb “believe” in your language, you could say:

But you must continue to believe in the gospel
-or-
…believe in Jesus

1:23b

established and firm: This is one way the Colossians were to “continue in their faith.” These two words, established and firm, mean almost the same thing.

established: The Greek word themelioō that the Berean Standard Bible translates established means “to place on a firm foundation.” This is a figure of speech here. It means that just as a solid foundation causes a house to be stable and strong, so the Colossians must have faith that is firm and strong.

1:23c

not moved from the hope of the gospel you heard: In Greek this verse part translated literally says: “and not moving/shifting from the hope of the gospel.” The hope of the gospel means “the hope God promised in the gospel.” Some of the things he promised to those who believe are:

(a) to raise them after they die

(b) to make them holy and perfect

(c) to bring them to live with him in heaven forever

See the note on 1:5a for the meaning of the word hope. In many languages it is clearer to translate hope as a verb. In this verse you could say, for example:

you confidently wait for God to do what he promised in the gospel

not moved: There are two ways to understand these words:

(1) It has a passive sense: that is, “do not let anyone/anything move you so that you stop hoping…” For example:

and must not allow yourselves to be shaken from the hope you gained when you heard the gospel (Good News Translation)

(Good News Translation, New Century Version, God’s Word, Revised English Bible)

(2) It has an active sense: “do not stop hoping…” For example:

You must not give up the hope you received when you heard the good news (Contemporary English Version)

(Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation (2004), New Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow the first interpretation (1) because one reason Paul wrote this letter to the Colossian believers was to warn the Colossians not to be deceived by false teachers.

gospel: See the word gospel in the glossary.

1:23d

has been proclaimed: This refers to the “gospel” (1:23c). If in your language it is necessary to say who had proclaimed the gospel, you could say “[the gospel] that people/God’s workers have proclaimed…”

proclaimed: This means, “announced, made known.”

to every creature under heaven: This probably means the same as “all over the world” in 1:6b. See the note there. Paul was saying that the gospel had been proclaimed “to people all over the world.” For other views, you need to consult commentaries.

1:23e

of which: This refers back to “gospel” in 1:23c.

I, Paul: This is the first time in this letter that Paul used the pronoun I instead of “we.” One reason he did this was to tell his readers that he was about to begin a different topic (in 1:24–2:5).

a servant: In some languages it is difficult to say that someone is a servant of the gospel. A servant is a person who serves another person or works for him. Paul meant that he was a person who worked to proclaim the gospel. In the next paragraph (1:24–29) Paul explained more about his work as a servant of the gospel.

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