Colossians 1
Notes
Transcript
Introduction (who when and why)
Introduction (who when and why)
Written by Paul
Prison Epistle (Philippians, Ephesians, and Philemon) written while under house arrest in Rome
Paul doesn’t repeat the question but he’ll answer and tell us the why in Chapter 2, the spread of false doctrine (known as the Colossian Heresy): Colossians 2:4 “4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.” Colossians 2:8 “8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”
Given the response it seems Paul is writing against at least a syncretistic (combining of different religious, cultural, or philosophical beliefs and practices into a new system) blending of Judaism, Christianity, and pagan worship.
"Yes, Jesus is important, but you also need the ancient wisdom of Jewish angels and our local gods. True spirituality requires strict fasting when Mercury aligns with Jupiter, ritual baths during the new moon as the angels prescribe, and initiation into Cybele's mysteries. Only then can you access the higher realms of spiritual knowledge."
At most he’s writing against the earliest stages of the Gnostic heresy
Emphasized personal, direct spiritual knowledge over faith or religious practice
Had complex cosmological systems involving multiple divine beings (aeons)
Often interpreted Jewish and Christian scriptures allegorically
Believed salvation came through special knowledge rather than faith or works
Chapter 1 is Paul introducing himself and helping them to understand the heart he’s writing from
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Again Paul states his authority comes from Jesus
3 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, 5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; 6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth: 7 As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; 8 Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.
Church in Colossae founded by Epaphras. Paul thanks God they got saved and for all he’s heard God has done in and through them!
“The gospel, seen almost as a personified force, is at work in the world through those commissioned to proclaim it; where its truth is recognized and its command obeyed, it bears fruit” -NT Wright
Colossians 1:4–5 “4 Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, 5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;”
faith for Paul isn’t just trust and commitment, it’s also the truth of what’s believed in:
Romans 4:24 “24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;”
Romans 10:9 “9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
What’s that hope?
1 Peter 1:4 “4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,”
2 Timothy 4:8 “8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”
It’s not just a feeling we have looking forward to the future, it’s a reality today in the world God created and the sure expectation of what’s to come
Colossians 1:6 “6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:”
God reached out to them with his saving power like he’s done and is doing in all the world. Because of that saving power, people all over the world were and are becoming new creatures in Christ and bearing the fruit of that salvation
Colossians 1:7–8 “7 As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; 8 Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.”
The Gospel has legs and as it goes throughout the world it reaches more with every lap.
(presents an interesting dichotomy: if the world is growing colder and colder because the end is near, would God need to save more or less that will be saved before the end as time grows shorter and shorter?)
9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
Colossians 1:9 “9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;”
It’s because of 3-8 we (the apostles?) don’t cease to pray for the church at Colossae
prayer 1: they’re filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all wisdom and understanding
Colossians 1:10 “10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;”
prayer 2: that they’ll walk worthy of the Lord pleasing Him in all respects
being fruitful in every good work
increasing in the knowledge of God
Colossians 1:11 “11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;”
prayer 3: that they’ll be strengthened with all power, according to God’s glorious might
to have patience (in difficult circumstances) and
to be longsuffering with joyfulness (toward people)
Colossians 1:12 “12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:”
Thanking the Father that
has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light, It’s the work of the Father, the Son, and the Spirit not ANY work of ours that saves us!
Colossians 1:13 “13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:”
The Father that’s rescued us from the authority of darkness
Satan John 12:31 “31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.”
Spiritual forces opposing God Ephesians 6:12 “12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
domain of sin and spiritual blindness 2 Corinthians 4:4 “4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”
and transferred us to the kingdom of the Son of His love (Jesus)
Colossians 1:14 “14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:”
It’s Jesus that in whom we have
redemption (the setting free of the enslaved) (focuses on the price Christ paid)
forgiveness of sins (the sending away of sins) (focuses on removal of our guilt before Yahweh)
Colossians 1 15-20 are some of the most important verses in the NT on the nature, person, and role of Jesus Christ.
Colossians 1 15-20 are some of the most important verses in the NT on the nature, person, and role of Jesus Christ.
beautifully written, set out like a poem or hymn
I’ll read them as one then we’ll go through them
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
Colossians 1:15 “15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:”
image means copy or likeness, not like we think as less than the original; All that God is, Jesus is! HE IS GOD Hebrews 1:3 “3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;”
firstborn is not the first made. It’s preeminence. Jesus wasn’t created but IS GOD and as God Jesus is the sovereign ruler over all creation
Colossians 1:16 “16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:”
all means all
consist is literally hold together
Colossians 1:17 “17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”
Jesus Christ reigns supreme over and above everything in the universe
Colossians 1:18 “18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”
The Colossians and we are part of a world-wide body made up of every Christian that’s ever been or ever will be saved no matter when or where on Earth!
again first in priority and rank over not just Satan, the spiritual forces, or the blindness warring against us but over the greatest enemies we have, sin and death!
Colossians 1:19–20 “19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.”
Philippians 2:6–11 “6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: 23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
Colossians 1:21 “21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled”
dead in sin since the fall but initially created to be pure image bearers Jesus has began that restoration in them
Colossians 1:22 “22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:”
Colossians 1:23 “23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;”
continuing to walk with Christ is evidence that you have put your faith in Christ and trusting Christ is the One who will complete the walk Philippians 1:6 “6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”
Reconciliation is coming for every creature ever on earth. Only people made in the image of God are reconciled by the blood of Jesus Christ
24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church: 25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; 26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: 29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
Colossians 1:24 “24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:”
Paul isn’t saying anything is missing from Christ’s sufferings
Paul is giving us the idea that the new age began at Christ’s resurrection but until Jesus comes back and the consummation is complete, the present evil age exists behind it
Colossians 1:25 “25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;”
Paul’s a servant of the church and them specifically
Colossians 1:26–27 “26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:”
The mystery was God’s plan of salvation from before time began and hidden until He chose to reveal it through Jesus
Colossians 1:28–29 “28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: 29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.”
Paul works completely KNOWING God’s desire is to bring every one of His people fully to Christian maturity and has called and allowed Paul and us to have a part in that work
Col 2:1-5 is a bridge between the two chapters it finishes the thought of Chapter 1 but also introduces the thoughts of Chapter 2
Conclusion
Conclusion
What does Col 1 mean for us?
“ Jesus Christ has revealed himself to be the one God of all the earth, the Creator and Redeemer of all. He is not one more rival (specifically, a Jewish one) to the gods of paganism. He reigns supreme over all. He has given himself to his world in loving self-sacrifice, to create out of sinful humanity a people for his own possession, with the intention of eventually bringing the entire universe into a new order and harmony. All this he has done in and through Jesus, his Son, his own perfect human self-expression.”
Epaphras in verse 3 is a reminder that we are all the product of the prayers ans preaching of those that came before us. He got saved when he heard Paul preach the Gospel then he went and started witnessing and preaching the Gospel to those in Colossae and in time founded the church there that Paul wrote to.
If we are saved we ARE commanded to be proclaimers of the grace and mercy of God the Father through faith in the work of Jesus in His virgin birth, sinless life, death, burial, resurrection, and sovereign rule with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit over all that has ever been, all that is, and all that will ever be!
the church in Colossae is evidence that the result of the witness and testimony is through the power of God and not us so we need to trust Yahweh God completely for the outcome
And what’s the witness and the testimony?
Revelation 1:5 “5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,”
We are saved by grace alone (Sola Gratia) through faith alone (Sola Fide) in Christ alone (Solus Christus) as taught in holy scripture alone (Sola Scriptura) for the glory of God alone (Soli Deo Gloria)
