Col. 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,
Col. 1:2 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.
“Paul, an apostle…” - Paul starts out six books in similar fashion (2Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians, 1&2 Timothy)—with a statement to the fact that he is an apostle according to the will or commandment of God. This emphasizes the fact that his Damascus Road experience was the turning point in his life. Until that time, he was a member of Israel’s ruling elite and out to destroy the spread of the gospel of Christ. I think this is a wonderful example of God’s supernatural intervention in a man’s life to accomplish His will. Paul could have rejected the whole experience, but he chose to embrace the truth when it was revealed to him so powerfully. There is nothing in the narrative (Acts 9) indicating that he was forced against his will. In fact, as soon as Jesus identified Himself to Paul as the One he was persecuting, Paul became immediately submissive. He immediately recognized the truth and wanted to serve God in truth. This is also a statement of Paul’s authority as established by God to declare His truth.
As indicated by most of Paul’s writings, Timothy was a faithful companion to and fellow servant with Paul. Looking ahead to chapter 4, we know that Paul was in prison when he wrote this letter to the body of believers at Colosse. According to Easton’s Bible Dictionary, Colosse was located in what is today known as Turkey “about 12 miles above Laodicea, and near the great road from Ephesus to the Euphrates.”
“grace…and peace…” – This blessing from Paul is used in every one of his epistles. I know I have noted several times throughout my journals that you can’t experience the peace of God without first experiencing His grace. It is by His grace that we are saved…
Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace are ye saved through faith….”
…and it is only in Christ that we can find peace. Peace is a work of the Holy Spirit in our lives…
Galatians 5:22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace….”
…and we don’t benefit from the presence of the Spirit in our lives until we are “in Christ.”
Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
Ephesians 1:12–14 “That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”
Col. 1:3 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
Paul encourages the believers at Colosse by letting them know that he gives thanks to God in his continual prayers for them. Prayer is the special privilege accorded those that accept God’s gift of salvation. We can approach the throne of grace boldly without need for an earthly intercessor.
Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
By identifying God as “the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,” he was affirming the truth as stated by Jesus during His ministry on earth.
John 8:54 “Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God….”
It was this claim that had motivated the Pharisees (with whom Paul was identified at that time) to seek to have Jesus put to death. It was probably this claim that most motivated Saul to seek to destroy the sect of the Nazarenes, those that followed Jesus. This was such an eye-opening truth for Paul that he repeated it clearly many times throughout his epistles.
Col. 1:4 Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints,
Paul and Timothy’s prayers for the body of believers at Colosse began after hearing testimony of the witness of their faith and their love for the whole body of believers. Again, love is the fruit of the Spirit’s presence in one’s life—an affirmation of their profession of faith.
Galatians 5:22–23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
The report of the testimony of the saints at Colosse was conveyed by the witness of Epaphras according to verses 7-8 below.
Col. 1:5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;
I had to go back to the beginning and read again to get the flow. Paul is giving thanks not only for the active faith of this body of believers, but “for the hope which is laid up for you in heaven.” The Greek for hope is a reference to anticipating with pleasure and confidence. Because of their faith, they looked forward to eternity in the presence of God. The Greek for heaven makes reference to the abode of God and is affirmed in scripture.
Hebrews 9:24 “For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us….”
1Peter 3:18&22 “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit….Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.”
Paul knew that the believers at Colosse had been well taught this truth in connection with the whole truth of the gospel.
Col. 1:6 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:
“Which” – referencing the gospel
It’s better to ignore the inserted words. Just as the gospel had brought forth fruit in the lives of the believers at Colosse, so it would in all the world where it was preached. Once people hear the gospel and respond to its truth through the grace of God, there will be evidence of the Holy Spirit’s presence in their lives by the fruits that are produced. (See Galatians 5:22-23 above)
Col. 1:7 As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;
Col. 1:8 Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.
It would seem that Epaphras was the one who had declared the gospel and its associated truths to the believers at Colosse. Paul identifies him as a “dear fellow servant,” a beloved co-laborer. In the letter to Philemon we learn that Epaphras was once a fellow prisoner with Paul.
Philemon 23 “There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus….”
When I looked at the Greek for Epaphras, it indicated that it was a short form of Epaphroditus. I remembered that Epaphroditus figured into the epistle to the Philippians and decided to see if I could find support for them to be one and the same. Most research concluded they were different people.
Paul could call Epaphras a faithful minister in Christ because he had witnessed his commitment and faithfulness in the tough times. As noted above, Epaphras was the one who shared the news about the Colossian church with Paul. It is not surprising to me that he would go to visit Paul, knowing he was in prison and knowing from personal experience how encouraging that would be to Paul.
Col. 1:9 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;
“For this cause” = the good report from Epaphras
Paul was a man who rejoiced at the effective spread of the gospel and was a faithful prayer warrior for the Gentile churches in particular. My understanding of his prayer:
That the believers be filled with the knowledge of His will. – This is the ability to discern or recognize God’s purpose(s) (from the Greek). Webster defines knowledge as clear perception of the truth. I interpret this to mean that Paul is praying for them to become totally familiar with the Word of God—His message of truth.
That their knowledge be put to use with wisdom, the ability to make good use of knowledge or truth.
That their wisdom be based on spiritual understanding. – Spiritual understanding would be wisdom as based on the meaning and intent of the Word of God. This is an area in which the Pharisees were woefully lacking.
As a former Pharisee, Paul knew firsthand what it was to possess knowledge and earthly wisdom without spiritual understanding. It was his desire that these believers not fall into that trap.
Col. 1:10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
There are times I have appropriated the prayers of the Apostle Paul in praying for my children. This verse I have paraphrased in different ways on their behalf repeatedly. I want them to “walk worthy of the Lord.” The Greek root for the word worthy states “comparable”—in other words, as Jesus exampled in His life. To model one’s life after Jesus would be “all pleasing,” but to whom? To the Father in heaven—not necessarily to men. Paul is praying that they not just be fruitful, but fruitful in “every good work.” That’s a pretty broad expectation.
Godly wisdom and spiritual understanding come through the ministry of the Holy Spirit in one’s life. To increase in knowledge, one has to seek teaching or put forth the effort to learn on your own. Either way, it’s a reflection of desire and commitment to grow in your relationship to the LORD.
Col. 1:11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
Next Paul prays for God to strengthen the Colossian believers with ability and power so abundant that their works will be a source of praise and worship to God (from the Greek for might and glorious power). It is only through God’s enablement that any believer can possibly walk worthy of the LORD and be fruitful in every good work.
John 15:5 “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”
Through God’s empowerment, the believer can live with patience (cheerful endurance, constancy) and longsuffering (not easily provoked) while having a joyful spirit in spite of trouble or trying circumstances.
2 Corinthians 9:8 “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work….”
Wiersbe: “Patience is endurance in action. It is not the Christian sitting in a rocking chair, waiting for God to do something. It is the soldier on the battlefield, keeping on when the going is tough. It is the runner on the racetrack, refusing to stop because he wants to win the race.”
Joy is synonymous with the hope of the Christian; it’s an expectation of good to come.
Col. 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
Paul now transitions into a time of praise to God. It is through the Father’s provision that believers have part in an inheritance specifically designated for the pure and morally blameless (from Greek for saints). It is only “in Christ” that we meet those qualifications. When we accept Jesus as Savior and LORD, we are “imputed His righteousness.”
2Corinthians 5:21 “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
Romans 4:20-24 “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead….”
Paul notes that this inheritance is “in light.” This would be a reference to the presence of God. I am reminded of the words of John.
1John 1:5 “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”
And of the prophet Isaiah—Isaiah 60:19 “The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.”
Col. 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
Paul contrasts our inheritance “in light” to our deliverance from “the power of darkness.” The Greek for power includes “force…mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence.” I believe this is a reference to Satan, the ruler of the “rulers of the darkness of this world.”
Ephesians 6:12 “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.”
Acts 26:18 “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.”
We have been rescued from one kingdom (Satan’s) and carried away to the safety of another (Christ’s, the dear Son of God).
Col. 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
“in whom” = “His dear Son” = Christ
The Greek defines redemption as salvation through an act of ransom. The only acceptable ransom or payment to secure our redemption is the blood of Jesus. Jesus declared this truth to His disciples at His last supper with them when He established the practice of communion.
Matthew 26:28 “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”
Paul stated this truth very clearly in his letter to the Romans.
Romans 3:24-26 “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.”
The purpose of the sacrificial system that was established in Old Testament times was to illustrate and point forward to the obedient, willing sacrifice of the Son of God to atone for our sin. The writer of Hebrews explains it.
Hebrews 9:11-14 “But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”
Our redemption has provided us forgiveness of our sins; we have been granted a full pardon and declared righteous. The writer of Hebrews again makes it clear.
Hebrews 10:10-17 “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.”
I love the way the Psalmist expressed it.
Psalm 103:12 “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”
That is a distance that can never be measured. When traveling north to south, you always reach a point at which you begin going the other direction—not so from east to west.
Col. 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
“Who” = still “His dear Son” = Christ Jesus
God declares Himself invisible to man, but He sent Jesus as the physical representation of Himself to man. Man was created in the image or likeness of God, but Christ came as the “express image” of God. Jesus Christ came as the exact representation of the Father (a spirit being) in flesh.
John 4:24 “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”
Hebrews 1:1-3 “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person….”
Scripture teaches that one day men of faith will see God. Job knew it, and Jesus declared it.
Job 19:26 “And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God….”
Matthew 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”
As I looked at the verse in Matthew, I was comforted as never before. I know my heart, and I certainly can’t declare it to be pure; scripture tells me it is deceitful and wicked
Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”
One of the reasons I so look forward to coming of the LORD is because I know I will then possess a pure heart with pure motives. In the Sermon on the Mount, (Matthew 5-7) Jesus is teaching regarding righteous living and righteous motives. My desire is to live up to the standards He established, but in the flesh I fall far short. My hope is in Christ. In Him I am declared righteous and pure even now; but in my resurrected body of incorruption, I will no longer be influenced or tempted by sin. I will be pure in heart, and I will see God. Thankfully, it’s all about what He has done; without Him—I am nothing and I have nothing to look forward to.
2 Corinthians 5:21 “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
1 Corinthians 15:53–54 “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.”
Thinking—We will “see” the invisible God when we enter His dimension. To see Him in our flesh as declared by Job will be to see Him in our resurrected, sinless, immortal state of being.
“the firstborn of every creature” – The Greek for firstborn is a reference to first in time, place, order and importance. Obviously, Jesus came to earth as the “only begotten” Son of God.
John 1:14 “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
He is God in flesh; in that regard, He is unique and preeminent among the children of God. (cf verse 18 below)
Romans 8:3 “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh….”
1Timothy 3:16 “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”
Romams 8:16-17 “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”
John is clear that Jesus existed as the Word before creation.
John 1:1-3 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”
As the Word, Jesus existed before time; He is declared the Creator of all things—including time. Through Him we were created—not just us, but every creature and every other part of the creation (from the Greek for creature). This pretty much covers the whole of the Greek definition; Jesus is first—
In time – He preexisted creation.
In place – He preexisted creation.
In order – He preexisted creation. He was the first begotten Son of God who made it possible for us to be children of God.
In importance – He is the Creator. He is the heir of all things. He is the captain of our salvation and the Chief cornerstone. He is very God.
Hebrews 1:2 “Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds….”
Hebrews 2:9-10 “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.”
“captain” = chief leader, prince
1Peter 2:5-6 “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.”
Ephesians 2:19-20 “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone….”
John 10:30 “I and my Father are one.”
Col. 1:16 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:
Jesus is identified as the creating force of God. He created everything. (See John 1:1-3 above.)
Things in heaven – Heaven is a reference to the sky and the abode of God. This would include the angels, the heavenly temple, galaxies, the stars, the planets, clouds, etc.
Things in earth – The Greek for earth references the solid part of our globe. This would include the oceans, the land, animals, insects, tree and plant life, etc.
Visible things – This is a reference to things that can be seen by our eyes—stars, planets, mountains, rivers, plants, animals, colors, volcanoes, tornadoes, each other, etc.
Invisible things – This is a reference to those things that we can’t see with the naked eye—atoms, germs, gravity, the wind, heat, etc. In today’s technological age we can see many things that were once impossible to see such as the inner workings of our body.
Thrones = seat of power, a potentate
Dominions = mastery, rulers, government
Principalities = chief in the commencement or beginnings of power and rule
Powers = privilege, i.e. (subjectively) force, capacity…mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence
“Things in heaven” and “things in earth” are the major categories. “Visible things” and “invisible things” are subcategories. Paul makes it clear in his letter to the Ephesians that these thrones, dominions, principalities and powers are a reference to supernatural forces—both good and bad.
Ephesians 3:9-10 “And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God….”
Many of these supernatural forces are evil and are a continual source of harassment for mankind, especially believers.
Ephesians 6:12 “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.”
The interesting truth is that these forces were created by Him and for Him. God’s creation was good, but angels and men are by His sovereignty allowed to make the choice to serve Him or not. God knew their choice before He created each one, but He did not limit His creation only to those who would choose to love and serve Him. Love cannot be understood without hate. Good cannot be understood without evil. Mercy cannot be experienced apart from sin. Faithfulness cannot be understood apart from faithlessness. That’s as far as my brain will go.
Col. 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
I like the NLT for this verse: “He existed before everything else began, and he holds all creation together.”
I heard a wonderful audio presentation of the truth of this verse by Dr. Mark Eastman on Chuck Missler’s www.khouse.org website. The excerpts from this article (shown below) by Lambert Dolphin (found at the same website) is similar to the type of information that I heard and explains in a way I never could a bit more about what this verse means.
What Holds the Universe Together?
The nucleus of the atom contains positively charged and neutral particles-to use a simplistic model. Mutual electrostatic repulsion between the like-positive protons would drive the nucleus apart if it were not for the "strong force" which binds the nucleus together….Similarly, accelerated electrons circling the nucleus should quickly radiate all their energy away and fall into the nucleus unless there exists an invisible energy source to counteract this.
The third New Testament creation-related passage which talks about atomic structure and physics is found in the Apostle Peter's Second Epistle: But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise [rhoizedon, a rushing roar] and the elements [stoicheion, atoms] will be dissolved with fire and the earth and the works that are upon it will be burned up. (2 Peter 3:10) The Greek word translated "elements" in the above mentioned passage from Colossians (and in 2 Peter also) is stoicheion, which can mean "the building blocks of the universe," or "the ordered arrangement of things." It can also mean the "atomic elements." The word translated "dissolved" in 2 Peter 3:10 is literally (in Greek) luo, meaning "unloosed." This language suggests that there will come a time in the future when God lets go of the nuclear forces which hold the atom together. This passage, like the one in Colossians, strongly suggests that the active power of God is behind the mysterious strong force that holds every atomic nucleus together. If this is so, all the other fundamental forces of nature are likewise forces that originate with Christ and His sustaining direction of the old creation.
If God "sustains the universe by His mighty word of power," moment by moment, were He to merely relax His grasp on the universe, every atom would come apart "by fire" (that is, by nuclear fire). It is inescapable that the Bible claims that God dynamically sustains the universe, including the very atoms themselves. Atoms, it would seem, are "stable" only because force and energy are being supplied into their physical nuclear binding fields from "outside" the system. [end excerpt]
Col. 1:18 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.
This is one of several passages (Romans 12, 1Corinthians 12, Ephesians 3-5) in which Paul compares the church, those who trust Christ as Savior and LORD, to a body with Christ as the head. As stated previously, He is the cornerstone upon which the church was built. He was the first man to be resurrected from death and the grave in a glorified body of flesh; this established Him as the firstborn among His brethren, the body of believers. This is the crucial truth upon which the hope of the Christian rests. Paul stated it so well
1Corinthians 15:14, 19-23 “And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain….If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.”
Preeminence is another word that references first in rank or influence. Christ has been established as preeminent in everything associated with His creation.
Col. 1:19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
I like the way the CJB expresses this verse: “For it pleased God to have his full being live in his Son….”
In other words, Jesus was completely man and completely God. He chose to lay aside some of His attributes during His 30+ years on earth, but He never quit being God. An excerpt from my journal on Philippians applies here:
Philippians 2:5-7 “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men….”
The Greek for reputation emphasizes the truth that He emptied Himself; He lived in the flesh as a man; He lived in dependence upon the Spirit—just as we are supposed to. He didn’t cease being God; He just chose to live with the limitations of a man, albeit a sinless man indwelt by the Spirit—just as Adam was created and intended to live.
Although Christ chose to empty Himself, He never quit being God. He humbled Himself in obedience, but He always remained the Son of God, inseparable part of the triune God. I don’t know how to say it any more clearly………and I don’t really know how to understand it. My little granddaughter made the statement one day shortly before she was four, “Jesus is God, and God is God; and that is hard to understand.” Such an amazing truth from a child! [end excerpt]
Col. 1:20 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.
“Made peace” is a reference to establishing harmony. Jesus made possible a restoration in harmony in the relationship between God and man; a harmony that had been destroyed when man chose to sin. This peace came at an exorbitant price—Jesus’ death on the cross. I thought it was interesting that the Greek for both blood and cross referenced the atoning blood of Christ and that the Greek for cross referenced self-denial. It was Christ’s denial of self in obedience to death on the cross that makes it possible for us to be “at one” with God again, harmonious in spirit.
Through the shed blood of Christ, God was essentially reconciling creation to Himself—things in heaven and on earth. Again, reconciling is a reference to making peace and harmony. Jesus was very clear in teaching that He and the Father were one.
John 10:30 “I and my Father are one.”
John 14:8-10 “Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.”
Col. 1:21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
Col. 1:22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
Again, I like the CJB: “In other words, you, who at one time were separated from God and had a hostile attitude towards him because of your wicked deeds, he has now reconciled in the Son’s physical body through his death; in order to present you holy and without defect or reproach before himself….”
“alienated” = to estrange away, i.e. (passively and figuratively) to be non-participant:
The truth is that we were all once estranged from God and not participating in the joy of His provision for us. Jesus taught that you are either on His side or you aren’t.
Matthew 12:30 “He that is not with me is against me….”
If you are a friend of the world, you declare yourself an enemy of God.
James 4:4 “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”
“Wicked works” that are in direct disobedience to God as revealed in His word are evidence of friendship with the world.
Ephesians 2:2 “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience….”
1John 2:15-16 “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”
Jesus, in an unbelievable act of love for His enemies, sacrificed Himself on the cross to provide reconciliation for man. He gave Himself up to physical death as the perfect sacrifice for sin in order to reestablish a way for us to have fellowship with Him in peace and harmony. And He took it to the nth degree. His sacrifice provided for the Father to look at us and see us as:
Holy – pure, morally blameless
Unblameable – unblemished, without fault, undeserving of censure
Unreprovable – unaccused, having no foundation for blame
He clothes us in His righteousness and presents us to the Father as though we had never sinned. Hallelujah—but I’ll never understand it!
2 Corinthians 5:21 “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
Col. 1:23 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;
“If ye continue…” – This is a continuation of the thought in the previous verses; you have been reconciled and will be presented righteous “if….” This type of verse causes some to think that they can lose their salvation. No scripture should be isolated from the context of the whole of scripture regarding doctrine. This verse is an admonition from Paul to examine oneself regarding the sincerity of your profession of faith. True faith will be evidenced by the fruits of the Spirit in the life of the believer (as discussed earlier). We all know that believers can and will experience times of disobedience; scripture is full of examples—beginning with Eve and continuing with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, Jonah, Peter, etc. The important truth is that true men and women of faith always come to a point of repentance. The Apostle John states the truth clearly.
1John 2:19 “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.”
Continuance in the faith is evidence of a sincere profession of faith. People can be amazing actors and deceivers for a variety of motivations—all self-serving. Again, James makes it clear that “faith without works is dead” (James 2:26). The Apostle John amens that truth.
1John 2:3 “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.”
God never contradicts Himself. Those who have put their faith in Jesus as Savior and LORD have received the Holy Spirit as a seal (stamp for security or preservation) and as the earnest (security deposit) of their inheritance to come.
Ephesians 1:13-14 “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Salvation is the work of God in us, and He always finishes what He starts. He never fails.”
Philippians 1:6 “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….”
Yes, this is a sensitive area to me. I think the enemy has been too successful in deceiving people to connect their works to their salvation—to think that God needs their help—to think that His word can’t be trusted and His provision isn’t sufficient.
“grounded and settled” – Grounded is reference to a foundation and settled is a reference to being immovable. A believer is a person who has chosen to live his/her life on the foundation of the Word of God. He has made a choice to follow God in faith and obedience despite the circumstances and the attack of the enemy. Again, he/she may stumble or fall along the way; but he/she will always seek God in repentance; and He will always forgive and restore by picking them up and giving them a new start.
1John 1:7-9 “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
“and be not moved away…” – This is the same truth that John stated as referenced above in 1John 2:19. It gives emphasis to the word settled.
“the hope of the gospel” – This is a reference to the confident expectation the believer has of eternity in the presence of the Savior.
“which ye have heard…” – Paul is addressing those to whom he knew had been clearly and correctly taught the gospel. God is clear in scripture, however, that He has revealed Himself through the creation and men are without excuse. The gospel is the good news of God’s love. Man has no reasonable basis for doubting His written word or the provision of His Son. The creation declares Him as Almighty God of righteousness and truth; One to be feared and believed.
Psalm 19:1-4 “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.”
Romans 1:19-20 “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse….”
Paul proudly declares himself to be a minister (servant, teacher) of that gospel.
Col. 1:24 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:
Although none of the nine translations I use give me clear support, I don’t believe Paul is making a statement that he is suffering for or because of the Colossian believers. He is stating that he is rejoicing in their testimony in spite of his current suffering (in prison). I think it would be true to say that just as their testimony encouraged Paul, he could expect his testimony in the midst of his suffering to be an encouragement to them.
The wording of the rest of the verse is hard for me to reconcile with the rest of the truth presented in scripture. It reads as though there was something lacking in the afflictions of Christ, and I know that is not true. As usual, I am going to look up all the words for keys in understanding.
“fill up” = to supplement, from roots that state, “Often used in composition to denote contrast, requital, substitution, correspondence, etc.” and “to complete; by implication, to occupy, supply; figuratively, to accomplish (by coincidence to obedience).”
“behind” = a deficit; specially, poverty, from a root that means “to be later, i.e. (by implication) to be inferior.”
“afflictions” = pressure (literally or figuratively):—afflicted(-tion), anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble.
Christ was afflicted in His physical body for His spiritual body, the body of believers. It is God’s purpose to use men to spread the truth of the gospel and enable His family to grow.
Matthew 28:19-20 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
Paul is not only fulfilling the great commission, he is being obedient to a special calling from God that puts him in the spotlight so to speak. Paul came after Christ as His inferior, yet committed as His servant to help finish the work on earth that He started—establishing the church, the body of believers under the new covenant. Jesus warned that His followers could expect no better treatment from the world than He had received.
John 15:18-20 “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.”
In that regard, Paul’s suffering was on behalf of the whole church, since he was in prison for His service to the LORD in spreading the gospel and strengthening the body of believers through his teaching. He was singled out for persecution because he had been so successful in his mission; he was a very public figure. He was so successful in his ministry because he was obedient and ministered in the power of the Spirit. Paul suffered in the flesh for the good of the church just as Christ suffered in the flesh to lay the foundation for the church. Paul is not declaring His suffering to be equal to what Christ suffered; he is just stating the fact that they both suffered to the benefit of the church. At least, that’s the way I see it.
Col. 1:25 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;
“Whereof” – Refers back to “the church.”
Paul declares himself a minister (servant, teacher) of the church according to the “dispensation” of God. This is a reference to oversight and stewardship. Paul has been put in authority by God to serve and teach the body of believers, especially the Gentile believers. His message is in fulfillment of the word of God that declared His intent was always to extend His blessings to the Gentiles.
Genesis 12:1–3 “Now the LORD had said unto Abram…I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee…and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”
Isaiah 56:6–7 “Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.”
Zechariah 2:10–11 “Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD. And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee.”
Courson: “Why does God allow suffering? Because it gives us the opportunity to show skeptical barbarians the reality of faith. When the child is taken to heaven unexpectedly, when the doctor says, ‘It’s malignant,’ when the boss says ‘You’re through’—people expect us to fall down dead. But we have the chance to shake it off and embrace the suffering. And if you make that choice, cynics change their minds about Christians because they see the reality of your faith.”
Col. 1:26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
Paul identifies his message as a mystery that has been hidden throughout history until this time—a mystery that has now been revealed to the saints.
Col. 1:27 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:
It is to those who follow Him in faith and obedience that God chooses to reveal His secrets. Paul teaches this same truth in his letter to the Ephesians a little more clearly:
Ephesians 3:4-6 “Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel….”
The Old Testament scriptures clearly teach that the Jews were to be a blessing to the whole world and that God’s salvation was intended to include the Gentiles.
Isaiah 49:6 “And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.”
The Old Testament also taught of a new covenant that God would make with His people in which He would put His Holy Spirit in them.
Jeremiah 31:31 “Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah… Jer. 31:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.”
Ezekiel makes it even clearer.
Ezekiel 36:22 & 26-27 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD….A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.”
The mystery that had been hidden was that Gentiles would also be included in the new covenant and be blessed with the indwelling Holy Spirit. The Colossian believers are part of this group of Gentiles being referenced, the group Paul identifies as the body of Christ. Christ, the Messiah, would indwell each believer through His Spirit. It is the indwelling Spirit that is our guarantee of our future with Christ—the hope of glory. This is a mystery that is priceless—riches far beyond what we could ever imagine.
Ephesians 1:13–14 “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”
Col. 1:28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
“Whom” = Christ
Paul is declaring that the whole of the message they proclaim is Christ—Savior, LORD, Son of God, Creator, Eternal, Self-Existent. The Greek for warning is a reference to admonishment or gentle reproof; Webster adds the idea of exhortation. In other words, they weren’t beating people over the head with this truth or trying to scare them with hellfire and brimstone preaching. They were teaching with wisdom. (cf verse 9 comments) Paul and his co-laborers desired that every person they taught, they would proudly be able to present to God as perfect (complete in mental and moral character) in Christ Jesus. In other words, they wanted God to be honored through their efforts. It is important to note that only those who are “in Christ Jesus” can aspire to be perfect.
Col. 1:29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
Paul is quick to note that though he is laboring, he is laboring through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit—God working in him. If we labor in the flesh, we can accomplish nothing of eternal value. Jesus was very clear in His teaching about this.
John 15:1&5 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman…. John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me….I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”
Paul is very clear in his letter to the Romans that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ.
Romans 8:9-11 “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”
Col. 2:1 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;
Col. 2:2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
The Greek for conflict is a reference to effort and anxiety. I believe Paul is expressing his great concern for the spiritual welfare of the believers at Colosse and Laodicea. His letters always indicate that he is a great prayer warrior on behalf of the Gentile church. It didn’t matter whether he knew them personally or not; he was concerned for the health of the whole body of believers. That is an area in which I need to grow. I am much more focused on prayer on behalf of those I know and am personally connected with in some way; my desire is to grow as a prayer warrior for the whole body of believers.
Verse two reflects the focus of his concern and, I believe, the substance of his prayers for these believers.
Their hearts would be comforted. – This is a prayer for them to be strengthened in their faith and invigorated in service to the LORD.
They would be unified in love for one another. – This prayer reflects the heart of the Savior as He prayed before giving Himself in sacrifice for our sins. It is the love that believers have for one another that most effectively declares the truth of the gospel message.
John 17:20-21 “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.”
This prayer affirms the truth He had already taught His disciples.
John 13:34 “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
They would be confident in their faith and spiritual understanding. – This is a prayer for spiritual discernment of the truth of God’s word. As a Pharisee, Paul was from a background of knowledge without spiritual understanding; and he knew how easily one could be deceived.
They would recognize the mystery of God and the Father and Christ. – I believe this is a reference to God’s plan as established before the foundation of the world and as revealed in His Son. He worded it this way in his letter to Timothy.
1Timothy 3:16 “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”
And to the Ephesians……….
Ephesians 1:9-14 “Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”
“earnest” = a pledge, i.e. part of the purchase-money or property given in advance as security for the rest……….a deposit
I tend to look at verse 2 as a reference to the triune God. Scripture tells us that God is a spirit, so God would be a reference to the Spirit of God.
John 4:24 “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”
He then goes on to reference “and” the Father, “and” Christ. In other words this mystery was the purpose and plan of the Holy Spirit, Father and Son from the beginning; Their collective will is unified and inseparable.
Col. 2:3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
“In whom” = specifically refers to Christ, but includes Father and Spirit
Scripture declares God to be the source of all wisdom and knowledge.
Exodus 31:1 & 3 “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship….”
1Kings 10:24 “And all the earth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.”
Proverbs 2:6 “For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.”
Isaiah 11:2 “And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge….”
The “treasures of wisdom and knowledge” is a reference to spiritual understanding of what is truly valuable. I thought it was interesting that the Greek for treasures referenced “a deposit.” It is “in Christ” that we obtain the deposit for all the blessings that are yet to come as a result of the salvation He has provided for us. That deposit is in the person of the Holy Spirit. Paul specifically states this truth in Ephesians as quoted above.
Col. 2:4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.
Paul is declaring the truth clearly to the Colossians in hopes of preventing them from being deceived by smooth talking false teachers. There are many people who are skillful at using words to deceive those who don’t possess spiritual understanding of the truth of God’s word. I am amazed at how easily people are deceived today by those that appeal to the masses and/or by those who have a message that feeds their flesh. Paul is very direct with his words to Timothy
1Timothy 6:3-5 & 9 & 20-21 “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself….But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition….O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith.”
Note: Verse 5 is a clear refutation of the prosperity gospel so popular today. I also love the phrase “science falsely so called.” There are so many who claim that science supports their antibiblical views; their false claims, however, do not change the truth.
Col. 2:5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.
This verse is an expression of Paul’s spirit connection to the believers at Colosse. He couldn’t be with them in the flesh; but since the body of Christ is a spiritual entity bound together in Christ through the Holy Spirit, he felt a spiritual connection with them. That connection was enhanced through the report he had received from Epaphras. The knowledge of their vibrant testimony made Paul rejoice since it was a testimony of firm commitment to their faith in Christ as their Savior. It is our consistent application of the truth of God’s word in our lives that gives evidence to the world of the sincerity of our faith. It is the consistency of our testimony that encourages or discourages others in the body of Christ and that either encourages or discourages others to want what we have in Christ.
MacDonald adds some insight: “The two words order and steadfastness are military terms. The first describes the orderly array of a company of soldiers, whereas the second pictures the solid flank which is presented by them.”
Col. 2:6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
Col. 2:7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
This is Paul’s way of saying that your actions should prove your faith. He agreed with the truth declared by James.
James 2:26 “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”
To receive Christ Jesus as LORD is a declaration that you have accepted Him as the ruling authority in your life. It is a commitment of your life to serve Him in faith and obedience. This is the only reasonable response from one who has received Jesus as Christ, the Messiah, God’s anointed Deliverer and their Savior.
Paul goes on to detail the characteristics of a person who has given their life to Christ as LORD.
He is rooted and built up in Christ. – Rooted is a reference to stability, and built up is a reference to growing in strength and confidence as a servant of Christ.
He is established in the faith. – This is a reference to being sure and steadfast, resolute and not wavering in one’s conviction of the truth of God’s word. Paul makes it clear that the church at Colosse had received sound biblical instruction regarding the truth of scripture in these areas.
He is profusely thankful. – One who has been blessed with the gift of salvation and forgiveness of their sin is bound to be thankful—not just thankful, but ecstatic about it. This was a very convicting thought. I know God knows my heart, and I am truly thankful for His precious gift of salvation. But my life should reflect a thankfulness that cannot be contained and that cannot help but be observed by others. I know my family and close friends are exposed to many expressions of my thankfulness to the LORD, but I’m not sure it is that obvious to others around me. I truly want my life to radiate joy and thankfulness to the LORD that is obvious and infectious to others.
Col. 2:8 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.
Paul continues to instruct the believers at Colosse and warn them about false teachers who are skilled in rhetoric with deceitful intent. They teach that the traditions of men and worldly reasoning are superior to the teachings of Christ.
The enemy has been so adept at deceit. The Jews began to turn more and more away from the truth of scripture and regard the teachings of their spiritual leaders as superior to God’s. They strayed far from the intent of the law and totally embraced man’s adulteration of that law. They regarded the traditions of men as superior to the scripture. That is one of the main reasons that they didn’t recognize Jesus as the Messiah. This is also one of the main fallacies in the Catholic Church. They regard the traditions of men as superior to the Word of God. They have adulterated the truth of God’s word for political purpose. This always happens when man applies worldly reasoning to scripture rather than seeking instruction from the Holy Spirit. Man’s reasoning will always be a result of selfish motivation.
Col. 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
To follow the teachings of Christ is to follow the teaching of God. He is God in flesh. (cf comments at 1:19)
Col. 2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
It is “in Christ” that the believer achieves completion or perfection.
2Corinthians 5:21 “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
His righteousness in us, in the person of the Holy Spirit, equips us fully for any trial or testing that may come our way.
1 Corinthians 3:16 “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”
2 Corinthians 9:8 “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work….”
We possess access to His strength, His instruction, His comfort, His wisdom, His peace, His love—His provision for our every need. There is no greater authority in heaven or earth than He. He has complete authority over every created spiritual and physical ruler and authority to which we are subjected in this body of flesh. We have absolutely nothing to fear “in Christ.”
Col. 2:11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
Col. 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
Circumcision is a cutting away of the flesh that was established as a public commitment to their covenant with God for the Jewish people. It was meant to convey a heart attitude that would be reflected in their faith and obedience to Him. This is much akin to the baptism of the believer today. Baptism is a public declaration of our identification with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection to new life—a life of eternal righteousness in His presence. When we accept Jesus as Savior, He cuts away our sinful flesh and replaces it with His righteousness. It is spiritual circumcision that only He can do. The Greek for operation is a reference to the effectiveness of God’s power and energy in the life of the believer. It is a result of your faith in God’s provision for you through His Son, just as surely as the Savior’s resurrection was an act of God in response to His faith. True faith in the Son is faith in the Father. Again, you can’t separate the One from the Other.
Col. 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Col. 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
Paul is contrasting the position of the believer before and after accepting Christ. Before accepting Christ we are spiritually dead in our sins and are in subjection to the sinful nature of our flesh. After receiving Christ we are given new spiritual life and forgiven of the sin that would condemn us before God. The Father accepts His Son’s sacrifice as sufficient to redeem us and take us into His family. He effectively circumcises our spirit and frees us from the power of sinful flesh and empowers us through the Spirit to live in righteousness. By accepting His gift of grace we are no longer held accountable to the demands of the law. Any accusation the enemy tries to bring against us has no legal validity. Christ has nailed the affidavit detailing our sins to the cross and clothed us in His righteousness; the Father looks at us through the blood of Christ and sees us as pure and holy.
Col. 2:15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
In context, we know that the principalities and powers being referenced by Paul are those that are evil. Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection were public events. His resurrection openly proved His power and authority over Satan and all his evil forces. Satan had tried in many ways to thwart the coming of the Messiah. I am sure he thought he had finally won when Jesus was crucified and buried. I think he had convinced himself that he had finally proven himself the most powerful—but he didn’t count on the resurrection. I wonder if even now he truly thinks he has a chance at winning, or is he just determined to take as many with him as he can at his final defeat. He knows the scripture as well as or better than do we. He has always had to operate within the parameters that God has established for him—as evidenced by the record of his attacks on Job. His commitment to his losing cause is amazing to me. But isn’t that the pathetic mindset of many who reject the truth of God and His word. It’s like they think that if they believe something different hard enough and commit themselves to it with great passion, it will prove to be true. All that just to avoid humbling themselves before God and accepting the gift of salvation that He freely offers in His Son. They just don’t want to be accountable to God. They choose to put all their energy into serving the flesh and enjoying the pleasures of sin for a season instead of putting that same energy into serving God and enjoying His presence and His blessings for eternity.
Col. 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
Col. 2:17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
Paul is warning the Colossian believers that these false teachers would try to provoke them to guilt by judging them for eating what they identify as unclean or for not observing set holy days. This indicates that they would make use of the Old Testament scriptures to teach that obedience to the law is what God demands of them, contrary to the freedom in Christ taught by Paul and the other apostles. In fact, the law they were espousing was according to the traditions of men and not according to the intent for which God established it. The laws and holy days were established to picture the ministry of the Messiah in the life of the believer. They were but shadows to the reality that would be lived out by Christ in the flesh.
Hebrews 10:1 “For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.”
The whole of the law and the holy days were dominated by a sacrificial system that required that an innocent animal without blemish be killed and its blood shed to provide temporary atonement for their sin. This system, including the design of the tabernacle and temple and ministry of the priests, pointed to the coming Messiah who would willingly lay down His life as the only acceptable sacrifice before God to provide atonement for mankind once for all for ALLwho would turn to Him in faith and repentance.
Hebrews 10:7-10 “Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”
John 3:16” For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Romans 10:13 “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Romans 5:18 “Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.”
1Timothy 2:4-6 “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.”
Col. 2:18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
Verse 18 is a hard verse; this is another one of those times that I wish I could read the original language. Some of the other translations give a better understanding.
NIV - “Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions.”
NLT - “Don’t let anyone condemn you by insisting on self-denial. And don’t let anyone say you must worship angels, even though they say they have had visions about this. These people claim to be so humble, but their sinful minds have made them proud.”
CJB - “Don’t let anyone deny you the prize by insisting that you engage in self-mortification or angel-worship. Such people are always going on about some vision they have had, and they vainly puff themselves up by their worldly outlook.”
NAS - “Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind….”
The main points of accusation seem to be false humility through self-denial or self-mortification and worship of angels. Scripture is clear that we are to worship nothing or no one but God.
Exodus 34:14 “For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God….”
Matthew 4:10 “Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”
Worship of angels was the same as worship of idols or the hosts of heaven.
Deuteronomy 4:19" And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven.”
To give your worship to anyone or anything else is to reject God as LORD. To allow yourself to be deceived into thinking otherwise is to be deceived and lost. Satan is a wonderful counterfeiter. People can be very convincing who have allowed themselves to be deceived by visions of Satanic origin. We are much more prone to give credence to what we experience over what we must choose to accept by faith. As the old saying goes, “Seeing is believing.” The problem is that “Seeing can be deceiving.” Example: There are many in this world today being deceived by visions of “Mary” calling herself the “Queen of Heaven.” The message is one of concern and encouragement and is deceiving many people. It is another evil spirit that is drawing attention to itself and away from the Savior. The “queen of heaven” is identified in scripture by the prophet Jeremiah.
Jeremiah 7:16-18 “Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me: for I will not hear thee. Seest thou not what they do in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem? The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me to anger.”
She was one of the pantheon of gods and goddesses worshipped in the ancient world. Wikipedia offers the following information: “The Roman writer Apuleius' ‘Transformations of Lucius’ gives us an understanding of Isis in the first century. The following paragraph is particularly significant.
‘You see me here, Lucius, in answer to your prayer. I am nature, the universal Mother, mistress of all the elements, primordial child of time, sovereign of all things spiritual, queen of the dead, queen also of the immortals, the single manifestation of all gods and goddesses that are, my nod governs the shining heights of Heavens, the wholesome sea breezes. Though I am worshipped in many aspects, known by countless names. . . some know me as Juno, some as Bellona . . . the Egyptians who excel in ancient learning and worship call me by my true name..Queen Isis.’"
There are some good free online resources on this subject at: http://www.eternal-productions.org/catholicism.html
Self-denial and self-mortification is another form of pride and setting oneself apart as more worthy than others. It is a mentality of works salvation as opposed to faith. This verse seems to tie directly to the truth Paul wrote in his letter to Timothy.
1Timothy 4:1 “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils….”
I decided to check out a couple of commentaries on this verse and found the following information in the NIV Commentary enlightening.
Paul’s third warning brings before us two of the most puzzling verses in the NT. The expression “disqualify [GK G2857] you” has been rendered in many different ways. A technical meaning of the clause is “let no one act as umpire against you,” i.e., give an adverse decision against you. Perhaps it is only a stronger and more picturesque way of saying, “Let no one judge you” (cf. v. 16). The essential meaning is, “Let no one deny your claim to be Christians.”
The person attempting to make such judgment is described as one “who delights in false humility and the worship of angels.” The context suggests that someone was seeking to impose these things on the Colossians, and that this was the means by which he was attempting to disqualify them for their prize. “False humility” may be a technical term for fasting, since in the OT this was the usual way for one to humble oneself before God. Whether this be so or not, the word in this context appears to denote a mock humility. “Worship of angels” is an allusion to the deference the heretical teachers paid to the hierarchy of spirit-beings who, in their system, filled the whole universe. Perhaps the “humility” and the “worship of angels” were closely related. That is to say, the heretics probably insisted that their worship of angels, rather than appealing directly to the supreme God of all grace, was an expression of humility on their part. [end quote]
Col. 2:19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
These false teachers were not connected to the Head—Christ, the head of the body of believers. They were promoting angels and even themselves—not Christ. It is “in Christ” that the body of believers are knit together as a unified whole. I believe that is accomplished supernaturally through the indwelling Holy Spirit. It is only “in Christ” through the ministry of the Spirit that we as believers can be nourished to grow in spiritual development. God provides for that growth through the Holy Spirit’s gifting in the body whereby we benefit from ministry to each other as we “speak the truth in love.” This truth will always point us to Christ—not self or other men or angels.
Ephesians 4:11-16 “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”
Col. 2:20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
Col. 2:21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
Col. 2:22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
Paul challenges the Colossian believers with a question, my translation: “If you have died to the flesh and are new creations in Christ, why are you being tempted to submit to the doctrines of men rather than living in freedom in Christ?”
Many of these false teachings were full of restrictions in areas that Christ has given us freedom.
Touch not – “attach oneself to”
Taste not – “to eat or experience”
Handle not – “to manipulate, to have to do with
In context, this seems to refer back to the self-denial or self-mortification spoken of in verse 18. The religions of men always end up as expressions of ways that man can reach God through their works. Christianity is dependent upon God reaching down to man through His Son to provide for Him what He can in no way earn or provide for himself. Religion is based on works; Christianity is based on relationship. Paul spent a great deal of time in the book of Romans on this subject.
Romans 6:11 & 14 “Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord….For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”
Romans 7:6 “But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.”
And in his letter to the Galatians.
Galatians 2:19-21 “For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.”
Galatians 5:1 “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”
Col. 2:23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.
I like the NLT translation of this verse: “These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, humility, and severe bodily discipline. But they have no effect when it comes to conquering a person’s evil thoughts and desires.”
It is only through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit that we can overcome sin. The Holy Spirit is only ours through faith in Jesus Christ as our LORD.
John 14:16-17 “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”
1John 4:4 “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”
1John 5:4 “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”