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See the exact Colossians 1:20 form guide with morphology, clause role, and guardrails.
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How αὐτοῦ Works in Colossians 1:20
A focused form insight on Genitive Singular Masculine in Colossians 1:20.
Colossians 1:20 - BSB
And through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through the blood of His cross.
The Question
How does αὐτοῦ function in Colossians 1:20?
Short Answer
αὐτοῦ is a Genitive Singular Masculine in Colossians 1:20. The form reinforces that the action is mediated through a specific referent already identified by context, which sharpens the verse's focus on Christ's reconciling work.
What the Form Is Doing
αὐτοῦ appears in Colossians 1:20 as a Genitive Singular Masculine. Here the pronoun identifies the one through whom the reconciling action is carried out, and the context points to Christ.
In Colossians 1:20, the genitive singular masculine works inside the immediate phrase or clause. Here the pronoun identifies the one through whom the reconciling action is carried out, and the context points to Christ. The form supports the verse's wording without carrying the whole interpretation by itself.
Why It Matters for Interpretation
The form reinforces that the action is mediated through a specific referent already identified by context, which sharpens the verse's focus on Christ's reconciling work.
The genitive pronoun is part of the through-him agency phrase in a major reconciliation statement.
Translation Effect
The form directly supports through him or by means of him.
The form guide should support the public Bible reading, not replace it with a private rendering.
What It Does Not Prove
Do not derive an independent theological meaning from genitive case alone, and do not use the pronoun form to override the sentence's flow.
Grammatical form should serve context, not override it.
Genitive morphology can suggest relationship, means, or association, but context decides the best reading.
Evidence from the Form Guide
The witness reads αὐτοῦ in Colossians 1:20 with the morphology label "Genitive Singular Masculine"; this guide is limited to that exact occurrence in the Textus Receptus witness.
In teaching or translation, this form supports clear English such as through him, while keeping the referent tied to the context.
What It Does Not Prove
- Do not derive an independent theological meaning from genitive case alone, and do not use the pronoun form to override the sentence's flow.
- Grammatical form should serve context, not override it.
- Genitive morphology can suggest relationship, means, or association, but context decides the best reading.
- Grammatical gender should not be pressed into a theological gender claim.