Inheritance and Translation

By Michael Paz

“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.” (Colossians 1:12, 13)

There are two items to be considered here: inheritance and translation. Entrance into the inheritance is the goal of adoption or sonship (cf. Eph. 1:5, 14) and is future, Translation, on the other hand, is present truth: This is membership into the church, the body of Christ (cf. Eph. 4:12, 15, 25). Inheritance and translation are the contexts in order and respectively of Colossians 1:14-20 and Colossians 1:21-29.

Since no words can describe what heaven would be like as an inheritance, Colossians 1:14-20 instead describes it as a place where the Son is sovereign. Heaven and all things in it or that will be in it are His by creation, mediation and purpose. He is the preeminent heir and occupant. He is said to be “the firstborn from the dead,” the dead being those who are also to be glorified in heaven like their Head (Col. 1:18). These are “the body, the church.” These are heirs with Christ in heaven.

But while inheritance is yet future, the heirs have already been transferred (the same word as translated) into the kingdom of the Father’s dear Son (Col. 1:13). This is membership into the body of Christ. The completeness of this translation is expounded in Col. 1:21-29 and is said to be accomplished even “now” (Col. 1:21) but with the condition “if ye continue” (Col. 1:23). From Colossians 1:23-27 we read of Paul, the afflictions of Christ in Paul’s flesh, the body of Christ which is the church, the dispensation of God given through Paul, the mystery, and the hope of glory of the Gentiles.

Those who continue in these things are members indeed.