Colossians 1:21
“You, being in past times alienated and enemies in your mind in your evil deeds,”
What does Colossians 1:21 mean?
Paul is reminding the Colossian believers what their spiritual condition was before they encountered Christ. He's describing a disconnect between themselves and God that showed up both in their thinking (minds turned away) and in their actions (the things they did), creating a genuine hostility in the relationship. What makes this honest and hopeful is that Paul says "being in past times" (emphasis on the past). He's not shaming them for where they've been, but rather setting up a contrast with what comes next in his letter: the reconciliation and transformation Christ makes possible. For anyone feeling like they've wandered far or made serious mistakes, this verse acknowledges the real damage while pointing toward the possibility of restoration.