So begins my foray into Colossians. A short but excellent work by Paul, a bond servant of Christ Jesus. From the early goings, Paul reveals his purpose to show Christ as majestic as He truly is. I will use some online commentaries as I see fit, but I will try and make this series of posts my own thoughts and observations, as I try to work through it humbly and prayerfully. I ask anyone who has something constructive to say to please do so, my purpose in doing this publically is to accept critism where it is due, and allow it to mold my study of God's wonderful, praise worthy gift of the Bible. Here we go....
I want to start with a quote from a Biblegateway.com commentary quote about the book:
"Its object was to counteract false teaching. A large part of it is directed against certain speculatists who attempted to combine the doctrines of Oriental mysticism and asceticism with Christianity, thereby promising the disciples the enjoyment of a higher spiritual life and a deeper insight into the world of spirits. Paul argues against such teaching, showing that in Christ Jesus they had all things. He sets forth the majesty of his redemption. The mention of the "new moon" and "sabbath days" (2:16) shows also that there were here Judaizing teachers who sought to draw away the disciples from the simplicity of the gospel."
And, I think, most awesomely:
"His main theme is developed in chapter 2. He warns them against being drawn away from Him in whom dwelt all the fulness of the Godhead, and who was the head of all spiritual powers. Christ was the head of the body of which they were members; and if they were truly united to him, what needed they more?
Why do we pursue other things when Christ is the only one who brings fullness? After all, we already have Him as our righteousness, our brother, our high priest, and friend. (amongst other things)
Chapter 1: my personal breakdown
1:1-2 Greetings
1:3-8 Various thanksgivings
1:9-12 Prayers for growth for the Colossian church
1:13-20 Christ is central in everything
1:21-23 Brief Gospel
1:24-2:3 The purpose of Paul's ministry
Paul begins in typical fashion, with a greeting and thanksgiving for the fact that the church he is writing to has come to saving knowledge of Jesus. He tells the church how the gospel they have put their faith in is spreading all over the world and bearing fruit. We learn here that Paul was not the one that brought them the gospel, but a man named Epaphras (v.7), but this has not stopped Paul from caring so much about the well being of the church that he wants to write to them to help them avoid falling into false teachings.
It also hasn't stopped Paul from praying for their spiritual growth. He wants these guys to be filled with knowledge, wisdom, and spiritual understanding; not just for the sake of those things themselves, but so that they will live in a way pleasing to the Lord (v.10) as a result of having them. Practically, this means he wants them to be doing good works and "bearing fruit." He also wishes them to be equipped by God's power to be able to endure (endure what is not specified, i opt for a general understanding of using God's power to allow us to stand under any circumstance) with patience and joy. Anyone who has gone through something difficult knows how hard it is to persevere and endure while still having joy and patience in the situation. I am never able to do this on my own strength personally, I must reflect on my blessings and thank the Lord, as Paul instructs the Colossians to do here (v.12).
As he mentions reflecting and thanking the Father, Paul now moves into exalting Christ and holding Him high. This 8 verse sections betrays Paul's purpose in writing this letter: the Colossians have Christ, why should they still be so hungry for something in addition to Him that they would follow some mystic heresies? In this passage, watch how Paul makes continual use of terms that make Christ central to everything, and sovereign over everything.
(Holman translation)
v.15: firstborn, all
v.16: everything, heaven and earth, visible and invisible, dominions and rules and authorities, all
v.17: all, all
v.18: the head, the beginning, the firstborn, first place, over everything
v.19 all fullness
v. 20 everything, heaven and earth
It's just an onslaught of words and phrases showing the Collossians (and us) Christ in the place He deserves: first place. Whether in heaven or on earth, on his throne or in our hearts, He is first. I often don't treat Him as my master, the way I should, but my heart still flies when I see Christ elevated so grandly and so appropriately. Not much more I want to say on this section, but it rocks my socks.
Paul then, after setting them up with elevation of Christ, reminds the Colossians of the fact that this man, who is all in all, is the one who has reconciled them to God. He reminds them of where they were (v.21) and then reminds them of what Christ has and done will do for them if they simply remain "in the faith" (v.22-23).
Paul tells them that the gospel is him ministry, and he rejoices in the fact that he is suffering for it. Paul thrice here (and many other times in the NT; v.26-27, 2:2) refers to Christ as God's mystery. I will take a guess and say that this is because the OT writers, prophets, and citizens had the prophecy of the Messiah before them, but truly had no idea what He would look like or what He would do. Jesus fulfilled the mystery by what He did on the earth, and can you really get a more, shall we say, fulfilling, satisfactory, and incredible conclusion to a mystery of suspense that was thousands of years in the making? I think no. God wants to make this mystery known to all peoples, including Gentiles (praise the Lord!).
Paul also struggles that the churches already in existance will continue to mature in Christ, "that they may have all the riches of assured understanding (v.2)." Let's reflect on that for a moment. What would my life, your life, whatever, look like if we had complete understanding of who Christ is, and as a result, who we are in relation to Him? Our confidence would soar, I have no question. And I don't mean confidence as in boldness, I mean that we would be fully assured in the facts of His atonement and salvation, and thus have no reason to fear anything. We would truly know the triumph of the believer, as spelled out in Romans 8:31-39 (look it up yourself you lazy thug).
I will use a human illustration. As I wondered the earth as an aimless college students, not fully knowing what I wanted to do, or what God wanted me to do, with my life, I was plauged with stresses. The uncertainty of what I was to do left room for doubt, depression, twists of emotion, questioning of myself, continually asking "what if" style questions, etc. etc., because I had no knowledge to stand on. Once God instructed me to become a civil engineer, it was like all my emotion that was dancing on a piano was now simply playing a three note chord. I have no words beyond such cheesy analogies to state the peace that was on me in that moment of knowing. I had assured knowledge of what I was supposed to be doing. It is this peace, I believe, that Paul is partially referring to when he talks about the riches of assured knowledge. There could be much more fruit here than I am seeing, but this is how valuable I think just this one aspect of assured knowledge is.
The application of this peace has looked like this. I am fully content in studying (laboring), I am fully content in the time committment engineering is (taking up my cross), I feel fine tossing aside things I may want to pursue because they hinder me from becoming a better engineer (tossing off the sin that so easily entangles), etc. etc. Imagine what such peace in the assured knowledge of Christ would do for a believer. Is there any wonder Paul wanted the church to posses this?
So ends chapter 1 (and some of 2).
I'll have more, come again, and please comment on your way out!
May His grace dwell richly in you!
A La Carte (April 23)
11 hours ago
