Colossians (written)

Monday, 10 April 2017

For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, Colossians 2:1

To open Chapter 2 (remember though that chapter divisions didn’t exist at this time), Paul says, “For I want you to know…” The words are given to show that what his heart feels is what he is trying to convey, knowing that if they understood these emotions, they would be truly affected concerning his words. More commonly, Paul would say, “I would not have you to be ignorant,” such as in 1 Corinthians 12:1. Here he makes it a positive, rather than a negative, statement.

Understanding this, he continues with, “…what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea.” The word he uses here is the noun agon. It is cognate to the verb “striving” of verse 1:29. It is as if he were in a battle or a wrestling match against the spiritual foes of the church, fighting for the precious saints that he was called to minister to. It is certainly a spiritual battle which he is speaking of, as the words of the next clause will show. In verse 4:12, he will again use the verb form of the word when speaking of the prayers of Epaphras. This further shows us that Paul’s conflict is tied into the striving of Epaphras, which is spiritual in nature. His desire was that they could know and understand the level of trial and striving he had put forth on the behalf of the churches of Colossae and Laodicea.

But he next shows that this conflict was not limited to them alone. Rather, it extended to “as many as have not seen my face in the flesh.” He was, at this point, unknown personally to many, and yet he labored for them in the great conflict of spiritual matters. He wrote epistles, he studied the Scriptures in order to find answers to questions which had been sent to him, he steadfastly prayed for those who were being led astray, and so on. It was his calling to minister, and minister he did. He put forth great effort in order to bring soundness of doctrine and peace within the fellowship to those he ministered to.

Life application: Are you willing to minister to those you have never actually met? What will you do if someone emails you with questions concerning doctrine? And what if you hear of a church that is struggling and facing great trials? We have open to us a vast amount of resources for helping in doctrine, and we have the throne of heaven open to us for prayer when such needs are made known to us. Let us use these tools as weapons in the great spiritual battle we are engaged in.

Lord God, You word tells us that we are in a spiritual battle. The life we live certainly shows us that this is true. And so why would we think that we can make it safely through this conflict without possessing all the tools necessary to engage the enemy? And yet, we fashion our own weapons which have no ability to overcome the powers of wickedness instead of going to the arsenal you have already provided for us. Your word tells us who the enemy is, what weapons to use, and how to employ them. Help us to get it right, and to enter the battle properly fitted with the things we need to win. Give us wisdom to read Your word and apply it to our lives. Amen.

Sunday, 9 April 2017

To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily. Colossians 1:29

Paul completes Chapter 1 by moving from the third person to the first person. After this, in Chapter 2, he will continue speaking in the first person, directly giving them words of council and admonition. The words, “To this” refer to the previous verse where it said, “…we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.” The transition to the singular person then occurs. In essence, “It is for this reason we do this, and for this reason I follow through with it.”

He then notes that, it is for this goal that “I also labor.” The word means to labor with both physical and mental strength to the point of weariness. Paul would exhaust himself in order to bring every man to perfection in Christ Jesus. In further explanation of that, he says that he is “striving according to His working.” The word translated as “striving,” agónizomai, indicates a struggle as if one is engaged in a wrestling match or in a battle. One can see that this is a root of the modern word for “agony.”

The words, “His working” is referring to Christ Jesus. The word is energeia, and Paul’s use of it is that of God’s power being supplied to him and through him. It is as if he was a machine, plugged into a receptacle. In that state, he was receiving energy necessary to move from one task to another because of this external supply coming into him. One can see that this is where our modern term “energy” is derived from. He was able to meet the challenges set before him because of this power which, as he says, “works in me mightily.”

This mighty power is the word dunamis. It is God’s power, supplied to him, which then results in powerful deeds and successful accomplishments. This is the root of our modern term for “dynamite.” Paul was chosen by God to transmit the message of the gospel to the Gentiles. He both labored with all of his might, and he relied fully on the power of God to continue to meet every challenge which came before him.

Life application: God has fashioned each of us to accomplish certain things, if we are willing to expend ourselves in doing them. But He hasn’t left us to simply wear ourselves out in the process. He will supply us with everything we need in order to continue to work effectively for Him. Let us not trust in our own strength, but rely on the Lord who is the One who has set the plan into motion, and who will see it through to its completion.

Lord God, there are times when we get weary from the labors we are engaged in, but if they are labors for You, and if You intend for them to be completed, You will give us the strength necessary to accomplish them. Help us to trust in You, to rely on You, and to allow You to be our Source of strength as we continue to labor for You. Surely Your power is sufficient in and through us to accomplish all things! Thank You for this assurance. Amen.

Saturday, 8 April 2017

Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. Colossians 1:28

“Him” is speaking of “Christ” as referred to throughout the passage, and also in the preceding verse. In the words “Him we preach,” the “we” is in the emphatic position. Thus, he is including Epaphras of verse 7, and Timothy who was included in verse 1. He is probably also referring to true apostles who would come and preach Jesus Christ in the manner of himself and these others. In other words, anyone who does not preach Him in the same manner is to be rejected.

Next he says “warning every man.” The word is nouthetéō, and it means “admonish through instruction.” This is particularly in appeals to the mind in order to supply substance in doctrine and spiritual matters. It gives the sense of exerting positive pressure on another person’s logic or reason. Therefore, the word “warning” which is repeated from the archaic KJV is better translated as “admonish.” What “warning” once meant has taken on a different force in modern English which is not found in Paul’s thoughts.

In addition to admonishment, he says, “and teaching.” Whereas the admonishment is directed to those who have already been taught, and which looks to correctly walking in accord with doctrine, or repenting and turning back to correct doctrine, the teaching looks to those who are uneducated in matters, and who need to learn instruction. This then is directed to their intellect in order for them to obtain the necessary information that they lack.

Paul uses the word “every” in both admonishing and in teaching, and then again in the next clause as well, in order to “emphasize the universality of the Gospel against the intellectual exclusiveness encouraged by the false teachers” (Vincent’s Word Studies). Whereas false teachers claim exclusive knowledge that they alone posses, the Gospel is open to all and can be understood by all. The only thing exclusive about the words of Scripture are that they are revealed as God determines, and also by study and contemplation by those who would desire deeper knowledge. However, what is revealed is open to all.

His next words, “in all wisdom,” are given to oppose “the esoteric and exoteric wisdom represented by the false teacher; higher knowledge for the few philosophic minds, and blind faith for the masses. In Christian teaching the highest wisdom is freely open to all” (Vincent’s Word Studies). As you can see, Paul’s letter is not only one of instruction on what is correct concerning Christ, it is also a letter warning against what is incorrect. It is a cult-buster if one properly uses it in that manner. Hence education in the book of Colossians, as well as in all Scripture, is vital for sound doctrine.

Finally Paul says that this admonishment and teaching is done so “that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.” This corresponds to his words of verse 22 which said that Christ’s work was intended “to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight.” It is a perfection which finds its source in Christ, not in wisdom of the mind, or a perfection of the body through asceticism. Rather, it is through instruction in the work of Christ, and in the application of that instruction to our lives that we will be perfected until the day He comes to finally and fully perfect us.

Life application: The Bible is given for life’s doctrine and practice. We cannot grow in Christ without it and we err when we think that mere life-application sermons which tickle our ears will satisfactorily help us to grow spiritually. If you or a loved one isn’t actively reading the Bible and following through with Bible studies, you are not living in accord with the instructions found in the Bible itself. Turn off the TV and open the Bible. Get to it there, friend.

What a wonderful word You have given to us, O God. Help us not to neglect reading and studying it. Yes, there are things which take up our time, but how many of them are really that important? How can it be that we have time for 3 or 4 hours of TV a day, but we don’t have time for 30 minutes of reading Your word? Help us to get our priorities right, and help us to fill our time with that which is pleasing to You. Amen.

Friday, 7 April 2017

To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27

The words “To them” are referring to the saints as stated in the previous verse. It is to the saints that “God willed.” The words are emphatic in the Greek. Thus it reads, “To whom has willed God…” It was God’s sovereign choice alone “to make known what are the riches.”

The “riches” of God are many. The word indicates a great amount in number or quantity, and thus abundance. These riches are described by Paul in Romans 2 and include His 1) “goodness” – this is His benign nature. He is a compassionate God who is in no way arbitrary or vindictive; 2) His “forbearance” – this reflects God’s restraint. When judgment would be expected under almost any conceivable circumstance, He still withholds His wrath, understanding that we are prone to sin from birth; and 3) because of His forbearance, He is also “long-suffering.” This concept shows that not only does He withhold His wrath, but He is also “slow to anger” as is noted in Exodus 34:6, 7 –

“And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation.”

Such riches as these are included in “the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles.” The Old Testament deals almost exclusively with a single line of people who became Israel. God revealed Himself to them, and they were considered the people of God. However, in Christ, that honorable title now extends to any and all. This is the “mystery” that Paul speaks of. He, the apostle to the Gentiles” is making it fully known to the Gentile people of the world who now can share in these riches of God.

He makes this explicitly known by finishing with, “which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” The words, “Christ in you” indicate what has occurred when a person (Jew or Gentile) believes in the finished work of Jesus. The moment that belief is exercised, he is sealed with the Holy Spirit, and is thus saved. He moves from Adam to Jesus and has a new and glorious hope. There is a slight variation in some manuscripts concerning the words, “which is Christ in you.” Some have it as masculine, and thus it would be referring to the riches. Others have it as neuter, and thus it would be referring to the mystery.

Either way, the fact that Christ is now in those who believe, this has become our “hope of glory.” There is an article in front of glory, and so it more accurately reads, “the glory.” Those who have received Christ have not yet obtained the full measure of the glory of Christ. Rather, it indicates a future hope which will be realized when He returns for us and we are glorified. It is a glory for which we have been destined, and nothing will thwart its coming and consummation in us. Such is the hope of the believer in Christ. It is a grounded hope in the sure promises of God.

Life application: When we stand at the graveside of a believer in Christ, we have the absolute guarantee that death cannot hold that person. There is a time for mourning because we will miss the presence of the one that we have cherished and shared in life with, but there should also be a sense of joy that the great and eternal promises of God cannot be overcome by the death which we have faced. It is but a temporary separation which will be ended with the blast of the trumpet and the gathering together of the saints of God.

Most gracious heavenly Father, thank You for the sure and eternal promises we possess because of what You have done for us in Christ Jesus. We have a certain hope that the troubles of this life are temporary. They will pass away, and all the sadness and loss of this life will be forgotten. Your saints will rise to eternal life, and the riches which lie ahead are far greater than anything we now possess. And best of all, we will be in Your glorious presence for all eternity. Thank You for what You have done for us in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Thursday, 6 April 2017

…the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. Colossians 1:26

Paul continues with words concerning his ministry. The previous verse, taken together with this one, says –

“…of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, ²⁶ the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints.”

In fulfilling the word of God, “the mystery” that he now writes about becomes the subject. The explanation of what this mystery is comes in the next verse, it being the idea that salvation has come not only to the Jews, but to the Gentiles as well. Paul describes this as a “mystery.” In the Bible, a mystery is something which has been hidden in God’s wise counsel until a time when He determines to reveal it. It is something that could not be known apart from His special revelation.

Types, shadows, and pictures of it may be seen in the Old Testament, but until those were explained through the word of Christ, they remained hidden as mystery. The book of Jonah, for example, gives a picture of what Paul is referring to, but only by looking at the story through the lens of Christ Jesus can it be properly understood. Thus Paul says that the mystery “has been hidden from ages and generations.” Vincent’s Word Studies notes that this term includes, “The unit and the factors: the aeon or age being made up of generations.” He goes on to say that, “Before the beginning of the ages of the world the counsel of God was ordained, but not concealed, because there were no human beings from whom to conceal it. The concealment began from the beginning of the world, with the entrance of subjects to whom it could be a fact.”

In other words, God determined from eternity past what He would do, and the plan was fixed. However, it is a plan which He has kept unknown to His creatures until a set point when it would be revealed. This plan is now explained in the coming of Christ, and in the forgiveness of sins even to the Gentiles. Even those who walked with Jesus didn’t grasp it at first. This is seen, for example, in Acts 11 –

“When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, ‘Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.’” Acts 11:18

The mystery was hidden until a certain point. It was concealed, but it “now has been revealed to His saints.” Those in Acts 11 began to understand what was happening, but Christ selected Paul to be the one to fully reveal the mystery to the world through His writings. The saints, meaning the believers in Christ, can refer to Paul’s writings in order to fully grasp what has occurred and to look for proper doctrine in how to conduct themselves in the age of the revealed mystery.

Life application: Whether a Jew or a Gentile, you are a saint of God if you have called on Christ Jesus. Rejoice in what He has done for you. If a Jew, you are brought out from being under a heavy burden and are granted complete restoration with God through Christ. If a Gentile, without ever having been under the yoke of the law, you are brought directly into the people of God by simple faith in what He has done. Rejoice in this and give God the glory!

Heavenly Father, You have worked in history to restore all peoples to Yourself. In the giving of Your Son, we become saints through faith in what He has done. What a simple thing to receive, and yet it is an offer which is mocked and scorned by so many. Help us to be bold and proclaim the truth of Your word, never waffling in what it says. There is one way to reconciliation with You and that is through the work of Christ. Let us not set aside this grace, but to trust in it wholly and completely. To Your glory alone we pray. Amen.