What Does Colossians 3:4 Mean in the King James?
When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The life hidden with Christ is the life that appears with him, the revelation uncovers what is already there.
THE MEANING
Christ is your life now, even where that life is not yet visible. When he is revealed, you also are revealed with him in glory: the hidden life comes into view as the weight of what you share with him. The verse holds present belonging and future visibility together.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
This undoes the belief that what is hidden is absent: the life is already held with Christ, awaiting manifestation.
THE ROOT
ζωή
zōē
GROWS FROM
ζάω (zaō; ζω-)
To live, to be alive.
The word names living reality, not merely an idea about life. Christ is that life now, even before it becomes visible.
ALSO GROWS
zaō: To live, be alive.
ζάω
The verb behind this family makes “life” an active reality, not just a possession or label.
zōopoieō: To make alive, give life.
ζωοποιέω
This branch shows the life-bearing force carried by the same word family.
φανερωθῇ
phanerōthē
GROWS FROM
φανερόω (phaneroō; φανερ-)
To make manifest, bring into the open.
“appear” in this verse is phanerōthē. The same Greek verb describes Christ being revealed and you being revealed with him. His appearing and your appearing belong to one unveiling.
ALSO GROWS
phaneros: Visible, manifest.
φανερός
This branch names the state that follows the unveiling: what was hidden can be seen.
phanerōsis: Manifestation, making visible.
φανέρωσις
It emphasizes that appearing is a disclosure of what is already real.
δόξῃ
doxēi
GROWS FROM
δόξα (doxa; δοξ-)
Weight: substantial honor and presence made visible.
“Glory” carries the sense of weight: the full significance of a life coming into view. Here, that weight is shared with Christ as he is revealed.
ALSO GROWS
doxazō: To glorify, honor.
δοξάζω
This branch shows the weight of a person or reality being recognized.
endoxos: Honorable, glorious.
ἔνδοξος
It describes what bears visible honor or weight.
THE PATTERN
What is hidden in union with Christ is already real and becomes visible when his life is revealed.
And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.THE THREAD
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.The same Greek verb for “appear” describes what is not yet visible in us and Christ being revealed. Colossians makes the connection intimate: when he appears, we appear with him because he is already our life.
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