Colossae was a city of Phrygia in the western part of Asia Minor and the cities of Hierapolis and Laodicea were nearby, Colossians 2:1 / Colossians 4:13 / Colossians 4:16. The city of Colossae was located on the Lycus River and was about one-hundred miles east of the city of Ephesus. Colossae was a commercial city that traded in textiles, wool and a precious dye that was unique to the area. It was also a religious centre, being the location of the throne of the goddess Cybele. Stoic and Epicurean philosophies, with Egyptian religious beliefs, abounded in the area.
Because it was on a trade route between Rome and the Far East, the teaching of oriental religions, with their mysticism, infiltrated the area and flourished at the time the letter was written. In the 2nd century before Christ, Antiochus III resettled about two thousand Jewish families in the area of Colossae. These Jews were brought from the Mesopotamian area where Judaism had been influenced by religious beliefs of the Far East. The combination of these religious beliefs later led to the development of systematic Gnosticism in Asia Minor in the 2nd century.
At the time Paul wrote the prison epistles, Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians and Philemon, the beginnings of this philosophy had already been initiated in the minds of the religious people throughout the region. The principal beliefs of the heresy were already infiltrating the church. Therefore, in this letter to the Colossian brethren, as well as the other prison letters and the letters to Timothy and the Corinthians, Paul mentions those religious philosophies that denied the eternal being of the Son of God and His present existence as God over all.
The churches in Colossae, Hierapolis and Laodicea were probably started by Epaphras, Colossians 1:7 / Colossians 4:12-13. Though Paul possibly visited Hierapolis and Laodicea during the almost three years he worked with the Christians in Ephesus, Acts 19:10. The church met in at least two houses in Colossae, Philemon 1-2 / Colossians 4:9 / Colossians 4:15. The homes of members were the customary meeting place of all the disciples at this time in the growth of the early church.
We must assume that the disciples that are addressed in all the cities of the New Testament, therefore, were meeting in several different homes of the members throughout each city. The church in Colossae probably consisted mainly of Gentile converts, though there were many Jews in the region, and consequently, among the disciples. Because there is a little direct reference to the Old Testament by quotation, it is believed that the church was composed primarily of Gentiles.
However, in the letter, there is a strong reference to Judaism which was a system of the religion of the Jews that they had constructed after their own traditions, Mark 7:1-9 / Galatians 1:13-14. It was this system of religion, in conjunction with the religious influences that the Gentiles brought into the church, that Paul attacks in this letter. He begins first by reaffirming the nature of the being, existence and authority of Jesus.
Since Jesus is who He said He was, such should motivate Christian behaviour. After affirming the nature of Jesus’ present existence, Paul then moves into the Christ-like behaviour of those who have submitted to the lordship of Jesus over all things.
The letter of Colossians was written to the churches in the cities of Colossae and Laodicea by the apostle Paul, Colossians 4:16, around AD 60-61. It is evident that Paul had never been to Colossae on any mission that is recorded in the book of Acts. However, from the results of his work in Ephesus, he possibly had contact with the disciples in Colossae.
The theme of this letter is taken from Colossians 1:16-18. The key verse would be Colossians 1:18. Christ is mentioned twenty-seven times throughout the book and the words ‘in Christ are found fourteen times. Paul focuses on the present exaltation of Christ. It’s in Christ that all the fullness of the Godhead dwells. Therefore, He is over all things since all things were created by Him, Colossians 1:16. The theme of the letter, therefore, focuses on the Christ of the church, whereas Ephesians focuses on the church of Christ. Colossians identifies the cause of the church, that is, Christ.
The Colossian church, as well as all other churches in western Asia Minor, was located in a religious culture that was greatly influenced by Far East mysticism. A mixture of eastern mysticism with Judaism produced a Judaeo Gnosticism that had already filled the synagogues when the church was first established in the region.
Jewish converts seemed to have brought some of their gnostic beliefs into the church, and thus, were attacking the nature of who Jesus is in reference to His being and authority as one with the Godhead. The heresy of Gnosticism is not dealt with directly in the letter. From what Paul says in this letter, there was the prevalent belief that Jesus was at least above the level of man.
It was believed that He was superior to man, but not great enough in deity to qualify Him to be the sacrificial offering of the incarnate God on behalf of humanity. He was superhuman. However, it was believed that He was not a deity as God. In conjunction with the preceding false concepts that seemed to permeate the world view of some of the Colossians, a system of legalistic religiosity came into the church as a substitute for salvation by God’s grace, Galatians 1:6-9.
This system of religion was common in the religious institutions of the culture of both the Jews and Gentiles. Those of this system of religion taught that through legal actions of religious obedience one could place demands on God in order to merit salvation. Epaphras, who was one of the evangelists of the region, was experiencing the invasion of Judaeo-Gnosticism among the Colossian disciples.
The influence of this teaching was possibly affecting the church in the neighbouring cities of Laodicea and Hierapolis, Colossians 4:13 / Colossians 4:16. Epaphras travelled to Rome where he explained the situation to Paul. Realising that the very foundation of the church was under attack by teaching that corrupted the nature of who Jesus Christ was, the Holy Spirit moved Paul to write this letter to the disciples in the region of Colossae.
The letter was directed primarily to the Colossian disciples, though it was to be read to the disciples in Laodicea, Colossians 4:16 and Hierapolis, Colossians 4:13, who wasn’t far away. Paul’s purpose for writing, therefore, was to exalt the pre-eminence of Jesus over all things, Colossians 1:15-23. He wrote to explain his apostolic work of preaching the truth of the Gospel in a world of false religion, Colossians 2:3-4, and to exhort the Colossian disciples to maintain Christian principles in their behaviour, Colossians 3:5-4:6.
Paul addresses these disciples from the ministry of his Christ-sent apostleship. He was a Christ-sent apostle because he was personally called and commissioned by Christ, Colossians 1:1 / Ephesians 1:1 / Galatians 1:11-12. Therefore, it was according to his apostleship that he wrote this letter. If we would call ourselves after Christ, we must accept that what Paul was teaching in this letter came to him by the Holy Spirit.
We cannot claim to be a Christian and at the same time, affirm that Paul is here giving only his personal opinions or theology concerning these matters. Paul doesn’t write from opinion or personal thought. He writes by the direct revelation from God and inscribes these words by the direct inspiration of the Holy Spirit. He writes those things that God wants the disciples to know, 2 Timothy 3:16-17 / 2 Peter 1:20-21.
Paul was in prison when he wrote the letter, Colossians 4:3 / Colossians 4:10 / Colossians 4:18, and Timothy was with Paul in Rome at the time Paul wrote this letter, Colossians 1:1. He was the young evangelist who was now seasoned with years of experience and was with his father in the faith.
They were saints of God, Colossians 1:2, because they had been washed in the blood of the Lamb, Revelation 12:11. These were faithful disciples who had not turned from their belief that Jesus was the Christ and Son of God who was head over all things.
The word ‘faithful’, Colossians 1:2, is often misunderstood in the present world where people often see Jesus as only a good teacher. The word used here is in reference to those who were faithful to their faith which was the foundation upon which Christians remain true to their calling.
They were faithful in believing that Jesus was the incarnate Deity who offered Himself as a ransom for humanity, Mark 10:45. These were those who had responded by obedience to the Gospel to their belief in the revealed grace of God, and so, were washed of their sins.
Grace and peace, Colossians 1:2, were Paul’s common greetings to the churches. Grace is the foundation upon which our salvation rests and peace with God is the result of grace. It’s a peace that results from knowing that God so loved us that He gave His only begotten Son, John 3:16.
After the introduction, Paul expresses thanksgiving to God concerning some things about the church at Colossae and straight away he tells them they were well-known for their faith, Colossians 1:3-4 / 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 / 2 Thessalonians 1:3.
They had a great reputation simply because they genuinely trusted in Jesus Christ and their faith was firm, Colossians 2:5. They didn’t possess or reflect a wishy-washy faith one week and then a genuine faith the next, no, they remained faithful to Christ and did what He asked of them all of the time.
I wonder what Paul would say about some churches today? I wonder what the real reputation of our churches is today? Not only were they well-known for their faith but they were also well-known for their love, Colossians 1:5. This is so encouraging to read about a church that not only has genuine faith in Christ but genuine love towards each other and beyond, Colossians 1:5 / 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10.
Both faith and love have legs attached and when they both move and work together people are going to notice. If this is an area some churches struggle with, they need to ask for God’s help and encourage each other to do the same, 1 Thessalonians 3:12 / 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10.
Does the church you belong to have faith with legs attached where the Christians are trusting in Jesus and obeying His will? Does the church you belong to have love with legs attached that genuinely serve each other and the community around it? If not, why not ask God to help you in this area.
The Gospel, Colossians 1:5, which includes the hope of heaven, was working in and through them and this was evident because of the fruit it was producing in their lives. Notice that the Gospel was producing fruit ‘throughout the whole world’, Colossians 1:6. Talk about the power of the Gospel, Colossians 1:23. Because the Gospel produces faith in Jesus and love for the saints, they were demonstrating that they were genuine disciples of Jesus, John 15:8.
Love is the fruit of the Spirit upon which all relational actions are based among disciples of Jesus, Galatians 5:22-23. Love is the bond that holds the community of God together as one body, Colossians 3:12-17. Love holds the community of God together simply because loving disciples are ministering to one another and the communities in which they live.
Notice also that they had been bearing fruit ‘since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace,’ Colossians 1:6. Hearing the Gospel is one thing but understanding it is another and those who truly understand it are usually those Christians to serve the most. Why? Because they understood how much grace they needed in their lives. It’s that ‘unmerited favour’ which motivates Christians to serve the Lord, not because they should but because they want to out of appreciation for what God has done for them.
It’s those Christians who truly understand that they were sinners, facing condemnation, Romans 3:23 / Romans 6:23. It’s those Christians who understand that their sin had separated from God, Isaiah 59:1-2. It’s those Christians who understand that they couldn’t save themselves, 1 John 4:9-10.
It’s those Christians who understand that they needed to be right with God, Romans 3:21-26. It’s those Christians who understand that they needed to be reconciled to God, 2 Corinthians 5:17-20. It’s those Christians who understand that they needed to be made holy, ‘set apart’ to God, Romans 6:17-18 / Romans 6:20-22.
It was through Epaphras, that the church at Colossae had heard of this wonderful grace of God and it was through Epaphras, that Paul had heard of their wonderful love which was the fruit of their responding to this grace, Colossians 1:7.
It could have been that Paul originally established the church in Colossae by teaching faithful men who went forth from Ephesus. One of these men could have been Epaphras. At least in this text, Epaphras is given credit for nurturing the new converts by reaffirming the same good news that Paul had preached.
Whatever the case, Paul either started the church directly or indirectly as a result of his ministry while in the city of Ephesus during the time he was teaching in the school of Tyrannus, Acts 19:9-10.
Notice Paul calls Epaphras his ‘dear fellow servant’, Colossians 1:7, what a compliment, no greater commendation could be given to those who have dedicated their lives to the ministry of the flock of God. Those who have dedicated themselves to care for the flock of God must be commended for their love and concern for those the Lord purchased with His own blood, Acts 20:28.
Some translations use the word ‘faithful’, Colossians 1:7, and so in the context of this statement, the word ‘faithful’ would refer to someone who is doing something for the Lord which tells us if we’re not doing something for the Lord, we’re not faithful. Epaphras was working for others, and so he was considered faithful. Epaphras was Paul’s ‘fellow-servant’ and ‘servant,’ his ‘fellow-prisoner,’ and a ‘faithful minister,’ Philemon 23.
He was also Paul’s representative at Colossae where he had founded the church and sought under Paul’s advice to combat prevalent heresies there. The apostle had affection for Epaphras, who ministered unto his need and the need of others. It was Epaphras who told Paul and others of their love in the Spirit, Colossians 1:8. Note, that this is the only time in the book where the Spirit is mentioned.
Constable, in his commentary, says the following.
‘The Holy Spirit had created love for Paul in the Colossians. This is the only reference to the Holy Spirit in this epistle. In Colossians Paul ascribed the activities of God that he normally associated with the Holy Spirit to Christ. He probably did this to glorify Jesus Christ before the Colossians who were being taught that Christ was less than He is.’
It’s in his prayer ministry, however, that Epaphras is great. This is a giant in prayer who knew how to lay all before the Lord, and labouring in secret made the saints perfect and complete in their standing through his kneeling, Colossians 4:12.
He was a prayer warrior, and he wrestled in prayer that they might be perfect in the perfection of Christ and fully assured in all the will of God. Paul also testified to the perseverance as well as the prayers of Epaphras. He knew how to toil on behalf of the saints of God, he was practical as well as prayerful.
His prayers for the stability and maturity of others were numerous, continuous and strenuous. Epaphras brought to Paul was in Rome when a report of the Colossian church where he had ministered in Paul’s stead, an account that cheered his heart and resulted in the writing of the Colossian Epistle which Epaphras took back with him to his flock. Oh, how we need prayer warriors today in the church, people who will wrestle in prayer to God for the saints in their daily struggles! Romans 15:30.
Even though Paul had heard of their faith and love, He actually hadn’t met many of the Christians in Colossae and so, in Paul’s prayer for them, we can see what Paul’s and ultimately God’s desire was for each of them. He wanted them to be ‘filled with the knowledge of God’s will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives’, Colossians 1:9.
Vaughan, in his commentary, says the following.
‘What rain and sunshine are to the nurture of plants; the knowledge of God is to the growth and maturing of the spiritual life.’
He didn’t want them to be half full or partially filled but filled to the brim with knowledge about God. The Greek word for ‘knowledge’ in this passage is ‘epignosis’ and it means knowledge that is the result of practical and personal experience. In other words, this isn’t just about knowing and understanding God’s will but it’s putting it into practice and living by it, James 1:22. And to possess a knowledge of God’s will through ‘all wisdom’ requires prayer, James 1:5. And to possess a knowledge of God’s will with ‘understanding’ requires reading the Word, Ephesians 3:2-5.
In other words, prayer and Bible study are essential practices for the Christian, why? So many times, Christians don’t know what they believe or why they believe what they claim, Hosea 4:6. As Christians, we’re supposed to grow into the likeness of Christ, Colossians 3:8-10 / 2 Peter 3:18.
Paul’s prayer tells us that the Christians in Colossae need to use that knowledge to ‘live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way,’ Colossians 1:10. In other words, don’t tell people you’re a Christian, show them! To conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the Lord reminds us that our calling is a worthy one and so, our behaviour should be aimed at bringing honour to Christ and not dishonour, Ephesians 4:1.
When we do honour Christ in our lives, this pleases Him and when we do we fulfil His will for us, Titus 2:14 / Titus 3:1 / Ephesians 2:10. We do good not because we should but because we want to glorify God in our lives. Matthew 5:16. And what are the good works we’re to do? Matthew 25:37-40 / James 1:27.
And so, we must increase our knowledge of God and His will as Christians, Jeremiah 9:23-24. We can know God better when we study His creation, Psalm 19:1-4 / Romans 1:18-20. We can also know God through His Word and especially through Jesus, John 14:7-9 / Colossians 2:9.
Paul desires that the Colossians ‘be strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience,’ Colossians 1:11. Christians need to be strong whilst living for Christ, I understand this can be difficult at times but nonetheless, we still need to be strong, 2 Timothy 1:7-8. There’s power available to the Christian but not just any old power, it’s a glorious power. The kind of power that Paul himself experienced, Philippians 4:13.
And the good news is that he wanted others to know all about that power, Ephesians 1:15-20. This power is still available to Christians today and we need to use it, Ephesians 3:20. Paul says we need to use it because it has a purpose in our lives, that we, ‘may have great endurance and patience,’ Colossians 1:11.
This again is one of the purposes of having the Holy Spirit in our lives, Acts 2:38, He’s trying to produce these qualities in our lives, Galatians 5:22-23. And whilst we joyfully endure hardships and trials in life we must continue to ‘give thanks to the Father’, Colossians 1:12 / 1 Thessalonians 5:18.
Notice the reasons Paul gives for us being thankful. God ‘has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light,’ Colossians 1:12. Now there’s a reason to be thankful and tell God that we are, 1 Peter 1:3-5. Paul also says we should be thankful because God has ‘rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,’ Colossians 1:13.
Now there’s another reason to be thankful and tell God that we are, Ephesians 2:15-22. This is Christ’s kingdom and Christ is King, Colossians 1:13. He told us this before He died on the cross, John 18:36-37. And after He rose from the dead, He became supreme Ruler over His kingdom, Matthew 28:18 / Ephesians 1:20-23.
We only need to turn to the Book of Revelation to read about Christ being the King and His kingdom, Revelation 1:5-6 / Revelation 1:9 / Revelation 2:26-27 / Revelation 3:21 / Revelation 17:14 / Revelation 19:16. Look at what else God has done for us to be thankful, God has given us ‘redemption, the forgiveness of sins’, Colossians 1:14. How blessed we are and how thankful we should be to have our sins forgiven in Christ, Revelation 1:5-6.
The word ‘redemption,’ Colossians 1:14, in Greek is ‘apolutrosis’ which means a release effected by payment of ransom. In other words, Christians have been released from the bondage of sin through the payment of Jesus’ bloodshed on the cross, Matthew 20:28.
The word, ‘forgiveness’, Colossians 1:14, in Greek is ‘aphesis’ which means release from bondage or imprisonment. In other words, in Christ, we have forgiveness of sins and have no penalty to pay because Christ paid it for us, Matthew 1:21.
When was the last time we didn’t ask God for anything in prayer but just spent the time giving Him thanks for all the marvellous things He’s done and continues to do in our lives?
Constable in his commentary, highlights the following thirteen assertions about Christ in Colossians 1:15-20.
1. He is the image of the invisible God, Colossians 1:15.
2. He is the first-born of creation, Colossians 1:15.
3. He is the originator of creation, Colossians 1:16.
4. He is the agent of creation, Colossians 1:16.
5. He is the goal of creation, Colossians 1:16.
6. He is the antecedent of creation, Colossians 1:17.
7. He is the sustainer of creation, Colossians 1:17.
8. He is the head of the church, Colossians 1:18.
9. He is the first-born from the dead, Colossians 1:18.
10. He is the preeminent one, Colossians 1:18.
11. He is the fullness of God, Colossians 1:19.
12. He is the reconciler of all things to Himself, Colossians 1:20.
13. He is the maker of peace, Colossians 1:20.
When Paul first met Jesus on the road to Damascus, he didn’t know at that time who Jesus really was, Acts 9:3-5. But when we come to Paul’s letter to the Colossians, we learn that Paul had come to a much fuller understanding of exactly who Jesus was.
Paul now realises that Jesus is ‘the image of the invisible God,’ Colossians 1:15. The word ‘image’ comes from the Greek ‘eikon’ which means an image, figure, or likeness. No man has ever seen God, but Jesus has shown us Him, John 1:18 / John 14:7-9 / 2 Corinthians 4:4 / 2 Corinthians 4:6 / Hebrews 1:3.
In other words, all these passages quoted above tell us that Jesus accurately and fully expresses the being and perfection of God. By looking at Jesus as He is revealed in the Word of God, we can see and know the Father, who is invisible!
Notice that Paul tells us that Jesus is also ‘the firstborn over all creation’, Colossians 1:15 / Colossians 1:18 / Romans 8:29 / Hebrews 1:6 / Revelation 1:5. Yes, it can mean the first one born or created which some religious groups understand the phrase, but the phrase is also used in the Bible as a metaphor to describe someone who occupies the rank and privilege of being firstborn, without literally being firstborn.
This is the way God uses the term when He’s referring to Israel as a nation, Exodus 4:22-23. This is the way God used the term when He referred to David, who was the youngest of eight brothers, Psalm 89:27. Therefore, any interpretation of this term must be in harmony with what is taught about Christ elsewhere, John 1:1-3 / Colossians 1:16.
Lightfoot, in his commentary, says the following.
‘As the Person of Christ was the Divine response alike to the philosophical questionings of the Alexandrian Jew and to the patriotic hopes of the Palestinian, these two currents of thought meet in the term prototokos as applied to our Lord, who is both the true Logos and the true Messiah.’
Paul clearly says to be the creator of ‘all’ things, Colossians 1:16, but He couldn’t claim that if He was a created being. To stress that Jesus is preeminent over all creation, He has all the rights of one as if He were a firstborn.
There’s nothing new in this idea, like we looked at a moment ago, God declared Israel to be His firstborn over the nations of the earth, Exodus 4:22, and He declared David to be His firstborn over the kings of the earth, Psalm 89:27.
These powerful declarations concerning Jesus are confirmed by the passages we looked at earlier, John 1:3, and Hebrews 1:3. Jesus was the Creator not the created and everything was created for Him. And so, as the creator of all things it only makes sense to understand that He existed before anything that was created which Colossians 1:17 indicates.
Wiersbe, in his commentary, says the following.
‘For centuries, the Greek philosophers had taught that everything needed a primary cause, an instrumental cause, and a final cause. The primary cause is the plan, the instrumental cause the power, and the final cause the purpose. When it comes to Creation, Jesus Christ is the primary cause (He planned it), the instrumental cause (He produced it), and the final cause (He did it for His own pleasure).’
Paul continues to describe Jesus as the One in whom ‘all things hold together,’ Colossians 1:17. In other words, in Christ, all things are kept in their present state, their very existence, order, and arrangement are continued in the present form by His power! Hebrews 1:3.
Clarke, in his commentary, says the following.
‘As all creation necessarily exists in time, and had a commencement, and there was an infinite duration in which it did not exist, whatever was before or prior to that must be no part of creation; and the Being who existed prior to creation, and before all things-all existence of every kind, must be the unoriginated and eternal God: but Paul says, Jesus Christ was before all things; ergo, the apostle conceived Jesus Christ to be truly, and essentially God.’
Paul continues to describe Jesus as the One who is ‘the head of the body, the church,’ Colossians 1:18. The word ‘church’ comes from ‘ekklesia’ which means a congregation or assembly made up of people who have been called out. It’s Christians who have been called out by the Gospel of Christ into His kingdom, Colossians 1:13, who form a great assembly or congregation.
The term ‘church’ is used in two senses in the Bible.
1. Universally, the body of saved believers throughout the world
2. Locally, a congregation of saved believers in one locality.
In the context here, Paul is speaking of the church universal. We know that Jesus has all authority in heaven and earth, Matthew 28:19-20, but how much more should He have authority over His church? He is the One who controls the destiny of those in His church! Revelation 2-3. The church is His body, Colossians 1:24 / 1 Corinthians 12:12-26.
Paul continues to describe Jesus as the One ‘the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead,’ Colossians 1:18. The word ‘beginning’, Colossians 1:18, comes from the Greek, ‘arche’ and has various meanings. It could mean beginning, origin or the person or thing that commences, the first person or thing in a series, the leader or that by which anything begins to be, the origin, the active cause and finally it could mean the first place, principality, rule, magistracy.
Remember what we looked at a moment ago when we looked at the word, ‘firstborn’, Colossians 1:15. It doesn’t necessarily mean the first one, but can refer to the ‘pre-eminent’ one. Jesus wasn’t the first person to rise from the dead, there were others, Jairus’ daughter, Mark 5:21-43, the son of the widow of Nain, Luke 7:11-17, and Lazarus, John 11:38-44. But He is the first to rise, never to die again, Romans 7:9-10 / Revelation 1:18, and is declared elsewhere to be the ‘firstfruits’ of the resurrection, 1 Corinthians 15:20-23.
The term ‘firstfruits’, 1 Corinthians 15:20-23, suggests the cream of the crop. In other words, that which is pre-eminent. Jesus is both the origin, active cause, the beginning and the ‘firstborn from the dead’, Colossians 1:18. He is the active cause of the resurrection, 1 Corinthians 15:22. By His own resurrection, never to die again, He is the firstborn from the dead, the pre-eminent one.
Paul continues to describe Jesus as the One who has ‘God’s fullness dwell in him,’ Colossians 1:19. The word ‘dwell’ in Greek ‘iskatoikeo’ and it means to house permanently. Clearly, Jesus is the fullness of Deity. We saw earlier that He is ‘the image of the invisible God’, Colossians 1:15, and later Paul will tell us that ‘in Christ, all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form’, Colossians 2:9.
Jesus is our fullness because it’s in Him we have ‘redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins’, Colossians 1:14, and in Him we have ‘all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge’, Colossians 2:3. In fact, in Christ we are completely filled, ‘In Christ, you have been brought to fullness’, Colossians 2:10.
Paul continues to describe Jesus as the One who was able ‘to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross,’ Colossians 1:20. The Father’s desire is to reconcile to Himself the things on earth, which includes sinful man from whatever nation, 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 / Ephesians 2:14-18.
But what does Paul mean when he says, ‘things in heaven’? Colossians 1:20. Paul is simply saying that both the physical world and those of the spirit world were created by Jesus. Paul’s point is clear, that Jesus is to be the reconciler of all things to God! God is able to reconcile all things by Jesus to Himself because He made peace through the blood of His cross. Through the death of His Son, it’s now possible for sinful man to be reconciled to God! Romans 5:10.
Like all of us, the Colossians had their history before they became Christians, like all of us, they were alienated and enemies of God, Colossians 1:21 / Ephesians 2:1-3 / Titus 3:3. The word ‘alienated’, Colossians 1:21, comes from the Greek word, ‘apallotrioo’ which means to estrange, be shut out from one’s fellowship and intimacy.
The word ‘enemies’, Colossians 1:21, is from the Greek word, ‘echthros’ and means something or someone who is hated, hateful, hostile, and opposing another. In this context, here it means we were at enmity with God by our sin. Why were we this way? Simply because in both thought and deed, they were sinners!
Earlier in Colossians 1:20, Paul mentions that we are reconciled by ‘the blood of His cross’, but now here in Colossians 1:21-22, Paul says we are reconciled ‘by Christ’s physical body through death’, Colossians 1:22. Both of these phrases emphasise that Jesus suffered ‘in the body’, something some people in those days denied, 2 John 7 / Hebrews 2:9 / Hebrews 2:14.
Through the offering of Jesus’ body and blood, we’re now reconciled to God, we are now presented to God as ‘holy’, Colossians 1:22, which means sanctified, set apart for God’s use. We are now ‘without blemish’, Colossians 1:22, which means without being guilty of anything worthy of blame.
We are now ‘free from accusation’, Colossians 1:22, which means guilty of nothing that can be called into account, blameless, this doesn’t mean ‘sinless.’ It’s worth pointing out that we may not see each other that way or even see ourselves that way but this is the way God sees us.
The word ‘if’, Colossians 1:23, implies choice and the terms and conditions for the reconciliation to remain, 2 Corinthians 5:17 / Philippians 1:6 / 1 John 2:19. In other words, as long as we ‘continue in the faith’, remain ‘established and firm’ and ‘do not move from the hope held out in the Gospel,’ Colossians 1:23, we will remain reconciled to God, Colossians 1:22. It is possible to get to the point where we are no longer reconciled to God, Proverbs 26:11 / Galatians 5:4 / Hebrews 10:26-29 / 2 Peter 2:22.
Paul rejoiced in suffering for his brethren and as we know he suffered tremendously throughout his ministry, Colossians 1:24 / 2 Corinthians 11:23-29 / 1 Corinthians 4:9-13. What is incredible is that Paul was suffering not only for the sake of Christ and suffering for the sake of his brothers and sisters in Christ but yet he still rejoiced, despite being stuck in a Roman prison, Philippians 2:17-18. How is this possible? How could he still rejoice under these circumstances? He says, ‘I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking regarding Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church’, Colossians 1:24.
Johnson, in his commentary, says the following.
‘It is no wonder, then, that Paul rejoiced in his sufferings. Seen in the light of his union with Christ, they were transfigured and made an occasion for fellowship with Him, as well as a benefit to the body, the church.’
Paul was willing to continue in the sufferings of Christ, to continue the building and edification of the church, Colossians 1:24. He wasn’t suffering alone, Romans 8:17 / 2 Corinthians 1:5. As Christians today, and as members of the body, all disciples continue the sufferings of Jesus because the body of Christ continues to be persecuted by the world, Acts 14:22 / 2 Timothy 2:11-12.
Paul gives another reason elsewhere why he suffered joyfully for his brother and sisters in Christ, 2 Corinthians 12:14-15. Children are the parents’ pride and joy, well, sometimes, and the parents will gladly sacrifice for their children. This is how Paul views his Christian family, 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20. I wonder if we feel the same way about our church family? 1 John 3:16.
Notice how Paul viewed himself, he says he is simply a ‘servant’, Colossians 1:25, which is very humble. The word ‘servant’ in Greek is ‘diakonos’ and it means someone who executes the commands of another. This is exactly how Paul viewed himself and other preachers, 1 Corinthians 3:5-7.
It’s amazing these days where people want status and titles to show how important they are, some people claim miraculous spiritual gifts to tell us they are more spiritual or more important than others are, but Paul describes himself simply as a servant. A servant of the church, a servant of Jesus Christ and a servant of the Gospel, Philippians 1:1 / Ephesians 3:6-7.
Paul had received a ‘commission’ from God, Colossians 1:25. The word used in Greek is ‘oikonomia’ which means the management of a household or household affairs, specifically, the management, oversight, administration, of other’s property.
In other words, he has been entrusted with the Gospel of Jesus Christ! And here is this passage he describes it as a ‘mystery’, Colossians 1:26, in the sense it had been hidden for ages but now has now been revealed to His saints and all the earth, Romans 16:25-26.
I guess the logical question is, what is this ‘mystery’? Paul says, ‘it is Christ in you, the Gentiles, the hope of glory,’ Colossians 1:26.
Constable, in his commentary, says the following.
‘God had hidden this new revelation from human understanding for ages past. Paul expounded it more fully in Ephesians 3:3-9, and only gave its essence here as ‘Christ in (among) you (Gentiles)’, Romans 8:10 / 2 Corinthians 13:5 / Galatians 2:20 / Ephesians 1:13-14 / Ephesians 3:17.’
Paul considered it his duty as a servant, to faithfully share that Gospel to the nations, Colossians 1:27 / Ephesians 3:8-9 / 1 Corinthians 4:2. All Christians are servants and have been commanded to preach the Gospel to others, Matthew 28:19-20 / Mark 16:15-16. I wonder if that’s how we really see ourselves? Do we serve each other and others in the world? And are we actively sharing that Good News with others?
As we carry on, we see that Paul had one goal in life and that was to ‘present everyone fully mature in Christ,’ Colossians 1:28. In other words, Paul wasn’t just out to preach the Gospel, but he went out to make converts, he wanted to make mature Christians who had been complete in Christ. And he did whatever it took to accomplish this goal.
He preached Jesus Christ! 1 Corinthians 1:23. He proclaimed the good news of Jesus Christ. Jesus’ life, teachings, death, and resurrection. This is something preachers should always remember, we need to present Christ to the world, not the church or other preachers. The preacher’s role is not only to preach but to encourage Christ-likeness, 2 Corinthians 3:18. But the preacher simply can’t preach and teach good news all the time, to help Christians grow they have to preach and teach some negative things, when necessary, 2 Timothy 3:16. From this text, we can see that there needs to be a balance between positive and negative preaching and teaching if they want to encourage Christians to grow into Christ-likeness.
Notice what Paul says, he says, ‘to this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me,’ Colossians 1:29. Wisdom helps to determine when and how to preach and teach, but Paul was wise enough to understand that he depended upon God to help him, 1 Corinthians 15:10. If Paul wanted to accomplish his goal, he had to completely rely on God to help him, Colossians 1:29 / 2 Thessalonians 3:1 / Colossians 4:3-4.