COLOSSIANS -- CHAPTER ONE
(vs 1) Paul identifies himself as the author, along with greetings
from Timothy.
(vs 2) Written to the saints in Colossae.
"Grace" -- familiar subject for the apostle.
"Peace" -- How desirable for brethren to have "peace." Yet,
it must be a peace that is based on God's Word.
(vs 3) Paul constantly made mention of congregations in his prayers
unto God. He was very much concerned with their
spiritual condition.
(vs 4) No doubt Epaphras had informed Paul of their continued
steadfastness; their faith.
In what way their love had been shown toward all the saints
is not expressed, but this statement shows their deep
concern for "all the saints."
(vs 5) These Christians had the same hope (expectations) that all
Christians have. Same as we.
They believed in life beyond the grave. 1 Pet. 1:3,4.
"heard" -- this truth revealed through the Word of God. They
were well versed in the truth of the gospel.
NOTE: Paul ties together (1) faith, (2) hope, and (3) love.
See 1 Cor. 13:13.
(vs 6) They had received the truth of the Gospel, thus becoming the
children of God.
The Gospel has the same effect every place it goes. The
Gospel is not confined to one nation or people, but
it is given for all mankind.
It will bear fruit, increase. God's children press on to
perfection. They continue to grow, produce fruit;
even from the beginning of their conversion.
(vs 7) Epaphras -- One of them (4:12). Most likely he was sent by
the church to inquire concerning Paul's welfare and
to inform the apostle of the false teachers in
Colossae.
"faithful minister" -- What a compliment, from the apostle.
(vs 8) Epaphras had informed Paul of the condition of the church in
Colossae.
"love" -- one of the fruits of the Spirit. (Gal. 5:22).
(vs 9) Paul continues (vs 3) to pray for their welfare.
NOTE: This is one of the four recorded prayers by Paul:
(1) Eph. 1:16-18.
(2) Eph. 3:14-19.
(3) Phil. 1:9-11.
(4) Col. 1:9-12.
"knowledge of his will" -- Remember, at this time revelation
was still in the process of being given. Men were still
being guided by the Holy Spirit through the miraculous
gift of "knowledge." (1 Cor 12:8-9) See: Eph. 1:17-19.
"spiritual wisdom" -- Wisdom to use God's word effectively.
(vs 10) The Christian is to "walk worthily of the Lord." The way one
lives. Eph. 4:1; Phil. 1:27.
"bearing fruit" -- producing like kind. "good work"
"increasing in knowledge" -- How important, necessary.
(vs 11) "strengthened" -- Paul desired that they be strong, strong
in meeting temptations, bearing responsibilities.
It is not through human power that men receive strength,
but by the "power" of God. "His glory."
"patience" -- faithfulness, enduring.
"longsuffering" -- bearing trials with joy. (Jas. 1:2-4, 12)
(vs 12) We, too, must continue to give thanks to God for all we have
and for what He does for us.
"meet" -- to make sufficient, abundant, enough.
God has made us sufficient to be partakers of the
blessings of the Kingdom.
God alone can prepare man to enjoy these blessings.
This is done through the God-given plan of salvation.
"inheritance" -- Rom. 8:13ff; Gal. 4:1ff.
"saints in light" -- 1 Jn. 1:5; Jn. 1:4,9; Jn 8:12.
(vs 13) "Delivered" -- Only God can accomplish this!!
"power of darkness" -- Satan's realm, sin, error,
disobedience, etc.
"translated" -- transferred from one realm into another;
changed, regenerated.
"kingdom of the Son" -- the church, God's family, spiritual
relationship with the King.
(vs 14) Redemption in Christ, forgiveness through the blood of
Christ. Eph. 1:7.
"Redeem" -- to buy back, to purchase.
(vs 15) The exalted Redeemer.
Christ came from Heaven, became flesh. 1 Tim. 3:16; Jn. 1.
"Immanuel" -- God with us. (Mt. 1:23).
"firstborn" -- Among the Hebrews, the first born had
peculiar privileges; double portion of the
inheritance, etc.
Christ occupies a similar place. A place of priority.
Christ sustains the most exalted rank in the universe;
He is the head of all things. The Son of God.
"image" -- Christ had every characteristic of Deity.
He is the preeminent one. (Note verse 18.)
(vs 16) "In Him...." John 1:1-3
Everything created by Him.
The apostle specifies the all-inclusive authority of
Christ.
Heb. 1:1-2.
"heavens" -- this universe.
"visible...invisible" -- things seen, things not seen.
"all things" -- emphasizes this fact again.
(vs 17) If Christ created "all things" (and He did), then, He must
have existed before "all things."
"before" -- In order of existence Christ was "before."
Cf. Rom. 11:36.
(vs 18) Eph. 1:22, 23. The Body -- The Church -- God's Family.
The Body -- 1 Cor. 12:12-27.
"the beginning" -- the authority and power, everything comes
through Him.
"first-born from the dead" -- Others had been resurrected:
(1) Lk. 7.11-16 -- widow of Nain's son.
(2) Lk. 8:40-56 -- Jairus's daughter.
(3) Jn. 11:32-44 -- Lazarus.
But, none were raised to immortality, they faced death.
Jesus was raised to never die again. 1 Cor. 15:20.
"preeminence" -- First in rank, the central place.
(vs 19) "fulness dwell" -- Dignity, authority, power, moral
excellence. Col. 2:9.
"fulness" -- Christ has all authority. Mt. 28:18-20.
(vs 20) "reconcile" -- to make peace, to become the friend again.
Eph. 2:13-18.
"all things" -- He made proper atonement for all to come;
yet, all do not accept his atoning blood.
"blood" -- The life which He gave. That blood removes all
that stands between God and man, but, man must
respond by obedience to His commandments.
"earth...heavens" -- includes all.
(vs 21) "alienated and enemies" -- They had not always been members
of the Lord's Body. Sin stood between them and God.
"in your mind" -- This is the place where people either obey
or disobey. (Rom. 6:17). It is an intelligent,
understanding, knowing, religion; of the mind, not
an indescribable, emotional frenzy.
The "mind" must be converted in order to serve God.
"evil works" -- sinful activities and deeds.
Eph. 2:1-3.
(vs 22) "reconciled" -- made friends with God once again. (vs. 20).
This change must take part in man, for God never
changes. (Heb. 13:8).
2 Cor. 5:18-21.
This "reconciliation" came to pass through the sacrifice of
the Christ ("the body of his flesh through death").
Eph. 2:13ff.
The only way that man can approach God is to become "holy
and without blemish and unreprovable" before Him.
Justified by the blood of Christ. (1 Jn. 1:7).
(vs 23) "continue" -- not spasmodic, irregular, undependable, etc.
There is much to DO. The religion of Christ is not a hit
and miss affair; On and off; An occasional leaning
in the direction of God. It is a CONTINUATION.
"in the faith" -- in the Gospel.
"grounded and stedfast" -- firm foundation, built on Christ,
the corner stone. (1 Cor. 3:11; Eph. 2:20-22).
"not moved" -- Must ever be stedfast, May we never drift
away from our anchor. (Heb.6:19).
NOTE: It seems as if some are looking for an excuse;
waiting for a reason (?) to leave. The slightest
difficulty shakes them up. Something said or done,
and off they go. They have never become grounded.
"hope" -- Paul once again calls their attention to hope.
Promises of the Gospel.
"preached in all creation" -- 1 Thess. 1:7-8.
(vs 24) "suffering for your sake" -- Much of Paul's difficulties
came as the result of his stand to allow Gentiles to
come into the kingdom without circumcision.
Paul had suffered much to preach the gospel.
Paul had not suffered as much as Christ, but was willing to
endure as much, if needful, in order to enlarge the
borders of the kingdom. (Acts 9:16).
There was nothing more important or more dear to his heart
than the body of Christ, the church.
Both Christ and Paul suffered on behalf of others.
(vs 25) Paul was that special messenger to the Gentiles. Acts 26:17.
"to fulfill the word of God" -- Without the preaching of the
Cross, God's plan would not be complete.
(vs 26) "mystery" -- that which was not previously known. The fact
that the Gentiles would be invited into God's house.
Eph. 3:1-7; Rom. 16:25, 26; 1 Cor. 2:6-10.
It no longer was a "mystery," but hath now been "manifested
to his saints." BY REVELATION.
(vs 27) "Christ in you" -- Christ dwells in us through faith. Thus,
we become the representative of Christ; we become
like Him.
"hope of glory" -- How sad for one to live without "hope."
NOTE: "Riches," "glory," "hope."
(vs 28) Paul shunned not to declare the whole gospel. Acts 20:26,27.
"every man" -- everyone is responsible to hear and obey.
"perfect" -- full grown, complete, mature.
"Perfection" comes through obedience. Heb 5:8-9.
(vs 29) "labor" -- effort expended. 1 Tim. 4:10; 2 Tim. 4:7.
"worketh in me" -- We must be submissive to His will. It is
only by allowing Christ to guide us that we can
become what He desires of us.
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