"OVERVIEW OF COLOSSIANS"
Notes
Transcript
What do you know about the book of Colossians?
Proposition – As we embark on our study of the book of Colossians this morning – I want us to be reminded of the two things 1) the power of the Gospel, and 2) the preservation of the gospel.
Two questions –
How has the Gospel impacted your life? And
How does it affect our daily living?
1. The Power of the Gospel -
1. The Power of the Gospel -
Paul’s Ministry at Ephesus –
1 It happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country and came to Ephesus, and found some disciples. 2 He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said to him, “No, we have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” And they said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4 Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying. 7 There were in all about twelve men. 8 And he entered the synagogue and continued speaking out boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. 9 But when some were becoming hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the people, he withdrew from them and took away the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. 10 This took place for two years, so that all who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks. 11 God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out. 13 But also some of the Jewish exorcists, who went from place to place, attempted to name over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, “I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches.” 14 Seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15 And the evil spirit answered and said to them, “I recognize Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” 16 And the man, in whom was the evil spirit, leaped on them and subdued all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 This became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who lived in Ephesus; and fear fell upon them all and the name of the Lord Jesus was being magnified. 18 Many also of those who had believed kept coming, confessing and disclosing their practices. 19 And many of those who practiced magic brought their books together and began burning them in the sight of everyone; and they counted up the price of them and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So the word of the Lord was growing mightily and prevailing. 21 Now after these things were finished, Paul purposed in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem after he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” 22 And having sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while. 23 About that time there occurred no small disturbance concerning the Way. 24 For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, was bringing no little business to the craftsmen; 25 these he gathered together with the workmen of similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that our prosperity depends upon this business. 26 “You see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away a considerable number of people, saying that gods made with hands are no gods at all. 27 “Not only is there danger that this trade of ours fall into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis be regarded as worthless and that she whom all of Asia and the world worship will even be dethroned from her magnificence.” 28 When they heard this and were filled with rage, they began crying out, saying, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 The city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed with one accord into the theater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia. 30 And when Paul wanted to go into the assembly, the disciples would not let him. 31 Also some of the Asiarchs who were friends of his sent to him and repeatedly urged him not to venture into the theater. 32 So then, some were shouting one thing and some another, for the assembly was in confusion and the majority did not know for what reason they had come together. 33 Some of the crowd concluded it was Alexander, since the Jews had put him forward; and having motioned with his hand, Alexander was intending to make a defense to the assembly. 34 But when they recognized that he was a Jew, a single outcry arose from them all as they shouted for about two hours, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 35 After quieting the crowd, the town clerk said, “Men of Ephesus, what man is there after all who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of the image which fell down from heaven? 36 “So, since these are undeniable facts, you ought to keep calm and to do nothing rash. 37 “For you have brought these men here who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess. 38 “So then, if Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a complaint against any man, the courts are in session and proconsuls are available; let them bring charges against one another. 39 “But if you want anything beyond this, it shall be settled in the lawful assembly. 40 “For indeed we are in danger of being accused of a riot in connection with today’s events, since there is no real cause for it, and in this connection we will be unable to account for this disorderly gathering.” 41 After saying this he dismissed the assembly.
Nelson says quote – “Paul came to Ephesus to undertake what proved to be the most extended and successful of his missionary efforts in any one locality. But these were strenuous years for him. Since he supported himself by working at his trade, his days were long. Following the custom of laborers in such a hot climate, he would be up and working at his trade before dawn. His afternoon hours were given to teaching and preaching, and likely his evening hours as well. He did daily for two years.”
Colosse is about 100 miles east of Ephesus.
Colossians 4:13 (NASB95)
13 For I testify for him that he has a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis.
7 just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, 8 and he also informed us of your love in the Spirit.
Probably during the “two years” of Paul’s stay at Ephesus, when “all which dwelt in Asiaheard the word of the Lord Jesus” (Ac 19:10, 26), Epaphras, Philemon, Archippus, Apphia and the other natives of Colosse, becoming converted at Ephesus, were subsequently the first sowers of the Gospel seed in their own city. This will account for their personal acquaintance with, and attachment to, Paul and his fellow ministers, and for his loving language as to them, and their counter salutations to him. So also with respect to “them at Laodicea,” (Col 2:1). Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 2, p. 370). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
Most likely it was during this time that Epaphras came to know the Lord.
Acts 20:17–38 (NASB95) Paul’s Farewell -
17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church. 18 And when they had come to him, he said to them, “You yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I was with you the whole time, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials which came upon me through the plots of the Jews; 20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house, 21 solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 “And now, behold, bound by the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me. 24 “But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God. 25 “And now, behold, I know that all of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will no longer see my face. 26 “Therefore, I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27 “For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. 28 “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 “I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 “Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears. 32 “And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 “I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothes. 34 “You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me. 35 “In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” 36 When he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 And they began to weep aloud and embraced Paul, and repeatedly kissed him, 38 grieving especially over the word which he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they were accompanying him to the ship.
Paul gives his defense before the Jews, then the council, then Felix, Festus, and then Agrippa – then sent to Rome –
12 When it was day, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. 13 There were more than forty who formed this plot.
Paul sent to Rome –
1 When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, they proceeded to deliver Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan cohort named Julius. 2 And embarking in an Adramyttian ship, which was about to sail to the regions along the coast of Asia, we put out to sea accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica. 3 The next day we put in at Sidon; and Julius treated Paul with consideration and allowed him to go to his friends and receive care.
They listened to Paul as a Prisoner –
9 When considerable time had passed and the voyage was now dangerous, since even the fast was already over, Paul began to admonish them, 10 and said to them, “Men, I perceive that the voyage will certainly be with damage and great loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.” 11 But the centurion was more persuaded by the pilot and the captain of the ship than by what was being said by Paul.
42 The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, so that none of them would swim away and escape; 43 but the centurion, wanting to bring Paul safely through, kept them from their intention, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land, 44 and the rest should follow, some on planks, and others on various things from the ship. And so it happened that they all were brought safely to land.
Acts 28:18–20 (NASB95) - Paul examined in Rome
18 “And when they had examined me, they were willing to release me because there was no ground for putting me to death. 19 “But when the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesar, not that I had any accusation against my nation. 20 “For this reason, therefore, I requested to see you and to speak with you, for I am wearing this chain for the sake of the hope of Israel.”
Audience – The church at Colossae (Date 62 – 64 AD)
The city of Colosse existed in the days of King Ahasuerus of Persia (Esther 1:1)1 and was known as ‘a great city of Phrygia’. It was situated in modern-day Turkey. It was famous for its garments, because of the fertile land which was grazed by great flocks of sheep, and also because of the chalky waters which ‘were just right for the purpose for dying cloth’. Alexander the Great (336–323 B.C.) brought the Greek language to the region when he conquered it. After the Roman province of Asia was founded (190 B.C.) Colosse’s neighbour Laodicea was made the capital of the municipal district. Colosse’s other neighbour, Hierapolis, was a spa town renowned for its multitude of temples and healing waters that were dedicated to heathen gods. The ancient site of Colosse was discovered by W. J. Hamilton in 1835.
Colosse was a city in Phrygia, in the Roman province of Asia (part of modern Turkey), about 100 mi. E of Ephesus in the region of the 7 churches of Rev. 1–3. The city lay alongside the Lycus River, not far from where it flowed into the Maender River. The Lycus Valley narrowed at Colosse to a width of about two mi., and Mt. Cadmus rose 8,000 feet above the city.
Although Colosse’s population was mainly Gentile, there was a large Jewish settlement dating from the days of Antiochus the Great (223–187 b.c.). Colosse’s mixed population of Jews and Gentiles manifested itself both in the composition of the church and in the heresy that plagued it, which contained elements of both Jewish legalism and pagan mysticism.
The church at Colosse began during Paul’s 3-year ministry at Ephesus (Acts 19). Its founder was not Paul, who had never been there (2:1); but Epaphras (1:5–7), who apparently was saved during a visit to Ephesus, then likely started the church in Colosse when he returned home. Several years after the Colossian church was founded, a dangerous heresy arose to threaten it—one not identified with any particular historical system. It contained elements of what later became known as Gnosticism: that God is good, but matter is evil, that Jesus Christ was merely one of a series of emanations descending from God and being less than God (a belief that led them to deny His true humanity), and that a secret, higher knowledge above Scripture was necessary for enlightenment and salvation. The Colossian heresy also embraced aspects of Jewish legalism, e.g., the necessity of circumcision for salvation, observance of the ceremonial rituals of the OT law (dietary laws, festivals, Sabbaths), and rigid asceticism. It also called for the worship of angels and mystical experience. Epaphras was so concerned about this heresy that he made the long journey from Colosse to Rome (4:12, 13), where Paul was a prisoner.
2. The Preservation of the Gospel -
2. The Preservation of the Gospel -
Colossian Heresy –
Benware quotes - “The heretical teaching at Colossae seems to be a mixture of asceticism, Jewish legalism, and some kind of philosophic mysticism. The chief passage relevant to the problem is 2:8-23. In this passage various elements are mentioned or implied. Angel worship, ritualism, and some form of Gnosticism seem to be present. The basis of Gnosticism is that idea that spirit is good but matter is evil. Thus, if Christ took on a material body, He had some evil.”
Talk Thru the Bible – “The nature of this heresy can only be deduced from Paul’s incidental references to it in his refutation (2:8-23). It was apparently a religious system that combined elements from Greek speculation (2:4, 8-10), Jewish legalism (2:11-17), and Oriental mysticism (2:18-23). It involved a low view of the body (2:8-23) and probably nature as a whole. Circumcision, dietary regulations, and ritual observances were included in this system, which utilized asceticism, worship of angels as intermediaries, and mystical experiences as an approach to the spiritual realm, Any attempt to fit Christ into such a system would undermine His person and redemptive work.”
The Colossian heresy combined Jewish and Hellenistic elements. Dietary and Sabbath observances, circumcision rites, and probably the mediatorial function of angels are reminiscent of Jewish practice and belief (Col 2:11, 16, 18); the emphasis on “wisdom” and “knowledge,” the plērōmaof cosmic powers, and the abasement of the body reflect Greek thought (2:3, 8, 23). Some Jewish converts probably brought this mixture from a heterodox Judaism and developed it further after they became Christians. Pfeiffer, C. F., & Harrison, E. F. (Eds.). (1962). The Wycliffe Bible Commentary: New Testament. Chicago: Moody Press.
This incipient Gnosticism was more a religio-philosophical attitude and tendency than a system, and it could adapt itself to Jewish, Christian, or pagan groups as the occasion required. Nevertheless, certain ideas appear to be generally characteristic of the Gnostic mind: metaphysical dualism, mediating beings, redemption through knowledge or gnosis. All religions, Gnostics held, which are manifestations of one hidden verity, seek to bring men to a knowledge of the truth. This knowledge or gnosis is not intellectual apprehension but the enlightenment derived from mystical experience. Because man is bound in the world of evil matter, he can approach God only through mediating angelic beings. By the aid of these powers and through allegorical and mythical interpretations of the sacred writings, spiritual enlightenment can be achieved and one’s redemption from the world of sin and matter be assured. Pfeiffer, C. F., & Harrison, E. F. (Eds.). (1962). The Wycliffe Bible Commentary: New Testament. Chicago: Moody Press.
Tyndale – “In this society the old gods of classical Greek culture still had their adherents, as did the ‘mystery-religions’ which promised entry to a secret, higher world for those who submitted to the proper initiation. With the passage of time and the movement of people from one area to another, the lines between different cults and religious ideas could get blurred, and the phenomenon known as ‘syncretism’ – the mixing of religious ideas and practices from a wide range of sources – became quite common.”
Tyndale – “Scholars have long held that Colossians was written to combat a particular danger within the young church. False teachers were inculcating spurious doctrines and practices, demoting Christ from his position of unique pre-eminence, and encouraging various dubious mystical and ascetic religious practices. But there is no agreement on the identity of these teachers or the nature of their teaching. Some suggest a pagan cult of one sort or another; others, some form of sectarian Judaism; others, an early form of Gnosticism; others, a blend of some or all of these. Recently an attempt has been made to trace affinities between the Colossian heresy and the teaching of the Pythagorean philosophy.”
5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed stood up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses.”
Tyndale – “This position enables us to understand the many parallels between Colossians and several other well-known Pauline passages, such as Galatians 3-4, Romans 7:1-6, Philippians 3:2ff, and particularly 2 Corinthians 3-5, which offer several very important parallels to Colossians. In each of these passages, albeit in different ways according to the context, Paul contrasts Judaism and the gospel of Jesus Christ in ways which cohere well with Colossians.”
Gnosticism
Essenes
Stoicism
Pythagoreanism
Judaism
Semitism
The bottom line is the false heresy within the church was mixture of Greek philosophy and Jewish legalism.
MacArthur – “Colossians gives us God’s perspective on the push for a one-world church. It tells us there is but one true church, whose head is Christ: “He (Christ) is also head of the body, the church” (1:18). True unity can exist only among the members of Christ’s Body.
Rebellion against all forms of authority also marks our age. Absolutes are denied. Truth, especially religious, is viewed as relative. All religious traditions are assumed to be of equal value. To claim that one religion is exclusively true is regarded as the height of intolerance and bigotry. In such a religious climate, Jesus becomes merely another wise man. He is nothing more than a great moral teacher, on a par with Moses, Muhammad, Confucius, and the Buddha.
Colossians gives us Jesus’ true identity. Far from being just another religious leader, He is “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation” (1:15); the One in whom “all the fulness of Deity dwells in bodily form” (2:9). As God in human flesh, Jesus’ word is authoritatively, absolutely, and exclusively true.”
8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.
The purpose of Colossians -
Expositors Bible Commentary – “Paul’s purpose in writing Colossians was threefold:
1) to express his personal interest in the church,
2) to warn them against reverting to their old pagan vices (3:5), and
3) to refute the false teaching that was threatening the Colossian church. The last named was undoubtedly Paul’s major concern. He met the Colossian false knowledge, not by appealing to ignorance and obscurantism, but by making a plea for the fuller knowledge found in Christ. He confronted the false representation by a positive setting forth of the exalted nature and unmatched glory of Christ.”
Hendrickson – “The members of the Colossian church were, at least for the most part, rather recent converts from the darkness and coarse sensuality of heathendom. As such the danger of relapse into their former multiform licentiousness was very real, and this for the following reasons:
There was first of all the cable of their evil past. A habit is like a cable. A person weaves a thread every day until it becomes well-nigh impossible to break the cable.
Secondly, there was the current of a wicked environment. It is hard to row against such a current, and to oppose the opinion and the will of the majority.
Thirdly, there was also the undertow of passion in hearts not wholly consecrated. Though the Colossians had accepted Christ, they had not become “perfect” overnight.
And finally, there was the lure of Satan, seeking by means of ever so many clever devices, to snatch the sheep out of the hand of the Shepherd. (John 10:28)”
Ephesians is the “Church of Christ” and Colossians is the “Christ of the Church”
Chapters 1-2 deal with Doctrine and 3-4 deal with practicality.
1-2 supremacy of Christ,
3-4 submission to Christ
SO WHAT??
Believers –
· Be encouraged/thankful that you are a Child of God (power of the gospel) – I say with the song writer “I once was lost but now I am found…”
· Preservation of the Gospel –
8 The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.
25 But the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word which was preached to you.
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
Study the Word of God so that you and I will be able to “accurately handle the Word of truth.” Then I ask each of us “who are your discipling? “
2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
1 But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. 2 Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance. 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, 4 so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.
Unbeliever –
13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” 14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.
1 And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain— 2 for He says, “At the acceptable time I listened to you, And on the day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is “the acceptable time,” behold, now is “the day of salvation”—