There is no other true preaching on earth except what we preach. Such an admonition was very necessary for the Colossians.
Warning and teaching, νουυετουντες και διδασκοντες. By this he either signifies teaching methods, by which they first explain the truth and then persuade men of it, laying it into the mind and heart.
They do not stop at indicating the truth alone, but incline men toward it and subject them to it.
The fact that the latter stands first can be explained either by the importance of this work, or because the Apostle considered the order of these two tasks of teaching to be indifferent.
For below, in Col 3:16, these words stand in the reverse order.
Or perhaps these words show the order of bringing someone to Christ. First, by admonition they bring him to a sense of the fear of God and repentance before God.
Then, through teaching, they indicate the way of reconciliation with God through faith in the Lord, the Redeemer and Savior.
Or, finally, by warning you may understand lessons in the active life, and by teaching, the interpretation of dogmas, says blessed Theophylact.
In all wisdom, εν παοη σοφια. All our interpreters read it so, and understand by it not the subject of warning and teaching, but the manner: with all wisdom.
Saint Chrysostom says: In all wisdom, that is, with all wisdom and understanding, or saying everything in wisdom. All wisdom is needed here, for not everyone can understand this.
Oecumenius exclaims: Is not the utmost wisdom required to persuade the nations, who are like beasts in character?
Blessed Theophylact adds still another point to this: In order to teach this successfully, every wisdom is needed, drawing what is necessary now from the Scriptures, now from reason, and now from Greek writers, as Saint Paul did in Athens.
The Apostle testified of himself that he became all things to all men, in order that by his preaching he might save whomever he could.
The level of education, character, and outward circumstances of those receiving instruction require special attention. Knowing how to use everything for success in teaching is the wisdom of the teacher.
That we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. Every man is now said for the third time, for after teaching the same phrase also stands: every man.
So all our interpreters read it. It is certain that the Apostle felt the need to direct the attention of the Colossians especially to this.
He suggests that no other teachers besides us, and no other teaching, have been appointed for any men. We alone are teachers for all, and one teaching has been entrusted to us for all.
We strive to hand this on to everyone, warning everyone and teaching everyone, in order to present everyone perfect in Christ Jesus.
Or perhaps Saint Paul wished to express the breadth and intensity of his love for men and their salvation. His holy soul was insatiable and desired to bring every man to Christ, says Oecumenius.
What do you say, every man? Yes, he says, we care for this. If this is not fulfilled, it is not our fault. The divine Paul strove to make every man perfect, say Saint Chrysostom and blessed Theophylact.
That we may present every man perfect is the goal of warning and teaching with all wisdom.
What does present mean? A teacher has in view presenting his students as successful at examinations. But before that, he takes every care to prepare them for it.
The same is true of the Apostles. They too had in view presenting every man perfect before the face of God at the judgment.
But before that, all their care was directed toward making every man such. The former is the further goal, and the latter the nearer goal.
It is more likely that, when the Apostle said that we may present, he meant that we may make. All their labors of warning and teaching with all wisdom were directed to this nearer goal.
The further goal, once this nearer one was attained, was then attained by itself.
What is the perfection of a man in Christ Jesus? It belongs to one who has recognized his inexcusable guilt before God, repented, and hastened by faith to the Lord Jesus as the only Savior.
He cleaves to Him with his whole soul, having resolved to walk unwaveringly in His commandments.
Then, having been sanctified by grace through the mysteries, he truly runs this path, progressing in every good work, while still placing all hope of salvation in the Lord alone.
Such a person stands on the true and sure path to genuine perfection in Christ Jesus. If he does not depart from it, he will undoubtedly attain the degree of perfection possible for him.
This was the whole concern of the Apostles. Having taught everyone the true doctrine of salvation in the Lord Jesus, they sought to turn him away from sin and the passions.
They sought to inspire him to a pure and holy life, and, having armed him with the grace of the Holy Spirit, truly direct him to such a life and then keep him in it.
Thus one is perfect in Christ Jesus who both believes rightly and lives according to faith blamelessly, placing all his salvation in the Lord and burning with love for Him.
THEOSIS