Colossians

Sep 28

Introduction

The book of Colossians is written to the church “at Colosse” (1:2), which was a city in Asia minor (modern day Turkey). It was near Ephesus and Galatia, and we see that it was to exchange Paul’s letter with another nearby church at Laodicea (4:16). We learn a valuable lesson from that – these letters were not just simply historical documents, but they were theological in nature, to instruct the church. First century Christianity did not have a ‘bible’, in the way that we do, so as it was being written, it was distributed and considered scripture. Paul, the author of this letter, was inspired by God, with Peter attesting to his writings as ‘scripture’ (2 Pet 3:16).

Paul writes this letter to address the false teaching of aestheticism (chapter 2) and Christian moral conduct (chapter 3), but a greater theme remains throughout the book: it clearly demonstrates the “preeminence” of Christ in “all things” (1:18). He is seen as the “head” of the church (1:18) and victorious over all “principalities and powers” (2:15).

No one ever wrote greater or grander things about the Lord Jesus than Paul does in this epistle.[1]
- John Phillips

Chapter 1 Greetings and Prayer

Chapter 1 of Colossians is dense! It reveals to us Paul’s care for a church that he likely didn’t plant and likely did not visit, but in his absence he still prayed for them and wanted them to see Jesus Christ clearly! In this chapter we see Jesus reigning high over all things and yet still living inside of believers (v27). How incredible that in God’s greatness he cares deeply for us and walks within us.

V1-8 Introduction

Paul writes to this church with his faithful son in the faith Timotheous (v1) and addresses the “saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse” (v2). It’s possible that Paul had never met the believers in this church as we have no record of his visit there, but we know he was in the area, so the possibility remains. Paul always asks for “Grace… and peace” (v2) for churches, whether he is going to address and issue or reveal a doctrine.

He begins with his prayers, “we give thanks to God… praying always for you” (v3). We get the sense of distance between him and this church as we hear “heard of your faith… and of the love which ye have to all the saints” (v4). This would be like you hearing about a faithful group of believers far away that you have not visited before, but when they come across your news feed, you are endeared by them and begin to pray for them. Paul, though, has friends in this church (v7, 4:12, 15), so he cares about it even more!

He is quick to remind them that they are just as any other Christians. Because of their faith in “the word of the truth of the gospel” (v5), they had “hope… laid up… in heaven” (v5). Paul said that his saving message was expanding “in all the world” (v6) and has come to them just the same. When the Colossians “heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth” (v6) they believed it to the salvation of their souls. The gospel is the “power of God to salvation to every one that believeth” (Rom 1:16), and that was evidenced in them, even from far away.

Paul says that Epaphras was responsible for their faith, as they “learned” (v7) it from him. It’s possible that the inclusion of the world “also” could mean that Paul began the work and Epaphras finished it, but we don’t get the same sense of that here as in Corinth with Apollos. We will see Epaphras at the end of the letter also, he is called here “a faithful minister of Christ” (v7) and we know that he was local to Colosse and critical to the church there (4:12-13). Certainly this church was thriving under his leadership, as Paul was totally absent! Epaphras stayed connected though, as he “declared unto us your love in the Spirit” (v8). He kept in contact with the apostles and other church leaders. This is a healthy sign of delegated leadership! We want people to stay connected to others instead of isolating like “Diotrephes” (3 John 9).

V9-14 The Purpose of His Prayer

Paul lays out his prayer for this church more clearly in these verses. It can be seen clearly in these three sections and is a great example of what to pray for other believers, if you are unsure of what else to pray!

Ever more we get the sense that Paul wasn’t part of planting this church as, “since the day we heard of it, do not cease to pray for you” (v9). If you could imagine getting word of a new church popping up in a difficult location, and if you have ever done that kind of work before, it would move you to constant prayer for those new saints!

“filled with the knowledge of his will”

This church would need God’s help, to understand His will and to grow in “all wisdom and spiritual understanding” (v9) and “increasing in the knowledge of God” (v10). There is much for a church to learn, especially about who God is and what His will is for us now that we are saved. This prayer is reminiscent in Paul’s prayer for Ephesus, that He “may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him” (Eph 1:17). Perhaps Paul prayed for both churches at the same time?

“walk worthy”

Once we know what God’s will is then we are able to “walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing” (v10). He desires His church to be a “glorious church” (Eph 5:27) so that we can be full of good works, “being fruitful in every good work” (v10), which we have been appointed to, “created in Christ Jesus unto good works” (Eph 2:10).

“strengthened with all might”

The church, of all people, ought to be strong, “strengthened with all might” (v11), not because we are strong, but because our God is strong, “according to his glorious power” (v11). Believers now have the Spirit of God living inside of them, and good pastors and teachers out to be helping Christians cultivate a life of power and strength as they “walk in the Spirit” (Gal 5:25). Do so will produce the “patience and longsuffering with joyfulness” (v11). We need to attempt to grow these things in our lives, but instead by subject to God and allow His might strength to work through us, overcoming our natural tendencies in the flesh.

“giving thanks”

Christians of all people out to be a thankful people, “giving thanks unto the Father” (v12). Once we realize who we are in Christ, and all that God has done for us and “hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints” (V12) we ought to rejoice! There is a reason Paul had to pray for this though! We don’t always believe it to be true, and we need to reconcile our thoughts with what is true of us in the word of God. Even on our worst day, Christians have eternal life and eternal purpose!

What Christ did for us ought to provoke us to constant celebration! He “delivered us from the power of darkness” (v13). Not just darkness in depression, but the power of Satan and his mighty forces had over our lives, and instead brought us into “the kingdom of his dear Son” (v14). This change was not possible from our own merit – it is a movement made by God, a ‘translation’. Translational movement is to move something from one place to another. At the moment of salvation, Christians have changed kingdoms!

If deliverance from darkness doesn’t excite you, then perhaps you’ll find gratitude in what it cost for God to bring you into His kingdom and family, “we have redemption through his blood” (v14). Jesus purchased His church “with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). It cost Him dearly to provide you with “the forgiveness of sins” (v14). I spoke with a lost man today who hoped that his ‘good works’ would ‘make up for’ his bad works. I asked the question, how do you know where you are on the scale? What a terrible way to live one’s life! Could you imagine not knowing if your sins were forgiven? We have the incredible blessing of the certainty of our salvation because it was purchased by the blood of God Himself. Hallelujah! We ought to be thankful.

V15-19 The Preeminence of Christ

Paul’s attention now draws to Christ, who is the preeminent character of this book.

The Image of God

What does God look like? Christ is displayed here as “the image of the invisible God” (v15). God cannot be totally seen by man (1 John 4:12), but He is on display in the person of Christ. He is the “fullness of the Godhead bodily” (2:9). God looks like Jesus because Jesus is God.

Firstborn of Every Creature

Jesus being the “firstborn” (v15) is not a reference to His creation, but to His resurrection, the “firstborn from the dead” (v18). Before His atonement for the sins of the world, nobody could resurrect. Upon Jesus defeating death on the cross, he made way for all prior saints to be raised as well (Matt 27:52-52, 1 Thess 4:15). Now all who believe in Him will be “born again” (John 3:3) and resurrected. See 1 Corinthians 15 for more on resurrected bodies.

Creator of All Things

The bible is clear that Jesus is the one responsible for the creation of the world, “all things were created by him, and for him” (v16). He was in God at the beginning of the world, “Let us make man in our image” (Gen 1:26) and it was His voice that spoke the world into existence, “the worlds were framed by the word of God” (Heb 11:3). Jesus is literally the word of God (John 1:1)!

As Creator and architect of the universe and all existence, He is “before all things” (v17) and the world continues to exist because of Him, “by him all things consists” (v17). This differentiates Christianity from other religions. Jesus is NOT creation; He existed before it and outside of it. In this way, pantheism or Hinduism is incompatible with Christianity. He sustains and animates all sentient life with His “breath” (Gen 2:7, Job 33:4), but He is distinct from it.

Over All Things

No matter that things you can find in heaven or on earth, they are all subject to Christ, “thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers” (v16). No matter how powerful and angel or a king, all things are subject to Him and are “for him” (v16, 1 Peter 3:22). Some things have already been defeated (2:15), others will all bow knee to Him in future judgment (Phil 2:11), but there is no area on earth where He ultimately will not have dominion.

Head Over the Church

Jesus rules and reigns most distinctly over His church, where He is the “head of the body, the church” (v18). With His blood He purchased His bride the church, where He presides over a people that He deeply loves (Eph 5:22-33).

Preeminent In All Things

If it were possible to describe any other thing or any other situation, it would also rest firmly beneath Christ, that “in all things he might have the preeminence” (v18), for “it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell” (v19). With all of these lofty perspectives of Jesus it can be easy to lose our own personal perspective of Him. Friend, if Jesus paid for your sins, and you call Him Lord (Rom 10:13), does He have “the preeminence” (v18) in your life? He has every right to it. Will you make what is true of Jesus over creation true of you in your personal life? Will you make as big of a deal about Him as Paul just did? Would the people around you see Christ as loftily as He was just described?

V20-24 The Preaching of Christ

Jesus, this great and preeminent One performed an incredible work for us on the cross, having “made peace through the blood of his cross” (v20). Jesus did for us what we could not do for ourselves, when He reconciled “all things unto himself” (v20), especially us who were “alienated and enemies” (v21) of God. Before Christians were saved, they were God’s enemies (Rom 5:10), but Christ died to save us by offering His own “body” for us that we might become “holy and unblameable… in his sight” (v22).

The message of the cross is only good news to those who believe it. Some though, have been “moved away from the hope of the gospel” (v23), believing it is no longer an option for them. This is reminiscent of the modern post-Christian day in which we live. America has had Jesus Christ and now been “moved away”(v23) and on to other gods. Relying on the gospel by faith is the only way to be “grounded and settled”(v23). Although the word “settled” is used, it does not make the Christian faith stagnant, for we are called to “continue” (v23), which is a perpetual moving forward. This is not the keeping of our salvation, by a constant pursuit of Christ.

Paul says that the gospel and Christianity were “preached to every creature which his under heaven” (v23), meaning that in his day, the apostles did such a good job distributing the saving message of the gospel that they reached the whole world. Paul took his role seriously, as a steward and “minister” (v23) of the gospel (1 Thess 2:4). The world will not be reached by accident! If Christians do not seriously undertake preaching the gospel to all nations as a serious ministry, it will never happen. No other organization on the planet will preach Christ but the church, so they ought to get busy!

If we would get serious about preaching the gospel, it will cost us dearly, perhaps that is why most Christians abstain. Paul rejoiced in his sufferings, while at the time of writing being under Roman arrest, and considered them to be like unto Christ’s. He says that the church would “fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ” (v24), meaning that to persecute “the church” (v24) is to persecute Christ Himself because the church is His body.

V25-29 The Mystery Revealed

Paul had been given a unique role in the church, considering his ministry a “dispensation of God” (v25). It was not a deserved role, because he was saved by the same gospel that saved anyone else, but it please God to call him to this ministry (Acts 9:15-16), as God “sets the members… in the body, as it pleased hath him” (1 Cor 12:18). All Christians have a unique role in God’s kingdom and in the church and they should get serious about it as Paul did, to ‘steward’ it well – for that is what dispensation means: a stewardship.

Paul’s ministry was for our benefit, as spiritual gifts always are! Spiritual gifts are to “profit withal” (1 Cor 12:7), not just us. One of the greatest things that Paul did for the church was to reveal to us the mysteries of God as they were taught to Him by Christ. He showed us the mystery of Israel’s restoration in Romans (Rom 11:25-26), the mystery of the rapture in 1 Corinthians (1 Cor 15:51), and the mystery of the church in Ephesians (Eph 5:32). Now here we will learn about the mystery of the indwelling Holy spirit (v27).

A mystery is not something unknowable, it is something that was previously unknown that has now been revealed, “which hath been hid from ages… but is made manifest to his saints” (v26). It is still somewhat hidden, in that it requires the word of God and the Holy Spirit to understand, so the lost world remains oblivious to it, but Christians should not! Christians should be “stewards the mysteries of God” (1 Cor 4:1). Our doctrine depends on it! For if we neglect the teaching of these mysteries, it will fundamentally affect our beliefs.

The mystery at hand in Colossians is “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (v28). This is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. When a Christian is born again at salvation, they are given the Spirit of God (Eph 1:13). That Spirit is considered the “Spirit of Christ” (Rom 8:9). Although there were people filled with the Spirit in the Old Testament, there was not a permanent indwelling and sealing of the Holy Spirit until after Christ died, for He had to “go away” for the Comforter to come (John 16:7). After Pentecost (Acts 2) New Testament saints were able to experience something that nobody else experienced prior. The church gets this incredible blessing, called here, “the hope of glory” (v27). That Christ is with us both comforts us and gives us a hopeful expectation that we will see Him when He returns!

Believing the things from chapter 1 to be true, Christians ought to do their best to share it with the world. Paul said he preached, “warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom” (v28). This phrase has haunted me for years. Paul didn’t let people slip by without some kind of admonition to trust in Christ or to grow in their faith. Especially the people that he was responsible for in the faith, he was forward to admonish because he wanted to “present” them “perfect in Jesus Christ” (v28) on that day (1 Thes 2:19).

He uses 4 words in verse 29, which describe the incredible work ethic that give him this drive, he would “labour, striving” and be “working” and “worketh” (v29). If we are going to get anything done for the kingdom of God and if we are going to steward the things that God has put in our trust, then it will take significant undertaking. It will not happen by accident! Though grace and salvation are free to us in Christ, there is much to do in service to Christ after and for the benefit and blessing of others.

As Paul gets into the meat of this letter he finally addresses the issue he had with the Colossian church, being “absent in the flesh” (v5) he still judged what was going on, no doubt getting a report from Epaphras. He knew the Colossians were strong in their faith, but there were some clearly aberrant teachings going on among them and he wanted to fully expose them for everyone.

Chapter 2 Established in the Faith

V1-5 Paul’s Observation

It is clear that Paul either had not visited Colosse, or that many of the church members there had never met him, “for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh” (v1). Paul wanted to visit them, “what great conflict I have for you” (v1), but was unable because of his “bonds” (4:3), being arrested in Rome. He hoped that a visit from him would encourage the church, that “their hearts might be comforted” (v2) and that they could be built up in Christ, “to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God” (v2), which he had just revealed (1:27). All of his wisdom came from God, “whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (v3).

Though Paul wasn’t present, “though I be absent in the flesh” (v5), he warned against the false teachers in Colosse, “lest any man should beguile you with enticing words” (v4). Some there were teaching “philosophy and vain deceit” (v8), using the teachings and “tradition of men” (v8) as the basis for truth. Whether these were from Judaism of Greek Gnosticism, traditions and laws are not the source of truth – God’s word is. The word “rudiments” (v8) is used, which are the ‘building blocks’ of something, also translated as “elements” (Gal 4:3) and “first principles” (Heb 5:12). We get the sense here that the mind of the Colossian believer was trained by the culture to build from a ‘physical first’ perspective, instead of a God’s first perspective. That is truly the issue in our world today – where does one place value and trust in information? Where do you worldview ‘building blocks’ come from? Are they sourced in the thoughts of men and of this world, or are they sourced in the truth which is “hid” (v3) in Christ? The source of our information determines how we will interpret the world around us. Worldly wisdom will not be “after Christ” (v8) and end up worshipping the creature and not the Creator (Rom 1:25).

Christians are instead called to “walk” (v6) in Christ the same way in which we found Him, by faith, being “rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith” (v7). If Christians will not dig deep into their faith to develop a strong biblical worldview, whenever they are faced with the ‘impressive’ philosophies of this world, they will crumble for lack of stability and depth. We must then be prepared, “as ye have been taught” (v7). Christians then turn out to be students of God, His word, and the godly men and women that He places in our lives.

Paul was well aware of the teachings going on in Colosse, “though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit” (v5). He wasn’t there but he felt like he was, and even from his mind’s eye, he had faith that the Colossians were holding true to their faith in spite of the opposition, “and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ” (v5).

V9-15 Who You Are In Christ

Christ is the source of all wisdom, and all of the ‘Trinity’ is revealed to us in Him, “in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily” (v9). What does God look like? Jesus. See Philippians 2.

We then go on to see the position of the believer in Jesus Christ. It says, “ye are complete in him” (v10), meaning that we are not searching for any more meaning or purpose, or hidden truth in the world. We have found everything that we need in Christ, and we are “accepted in the beloved” (Eph 1:16) because of Him. There are several descriptors here that are true of the believer in Jesus Christ:

Spiritually Separated

Christians have been “circumcised with the circumcision made without hands” (v11), meaning that at the time of salvation, God ‘cut away’ and divided the “inner man” (Eph 3:16) from the “body of the sins of the flesh” (v11). This is how the Christian lives in a dichotomy of having a redeemed soul (who you are in your person) and the physical sinful nature (Rom 7:21). Just as physical circumcision ‘cuts off’ something that cannot be regrown, so does salvation. We cannot lose our salvation based on “the circumcision of Christ” (v11).

Spiritually Risen

The bible says that our “old man is crucified with him” (Rom 6:6), which we see here displayed in baptism, “buried with him in baptism” (v12, Rom 6:4). Just as Christ went into the grave to defeat our sin, so did our ‘old man’. Our previous life has become as dead as Jesus was for us, therefore the “all things are become new” in the “new Creature” (2 Cor 5:17). Just as Christ rose from the dead, so did we, “ye are risen with him” (v12). God sees the Christian as having been immersed into Jesus Christ in such a way that each of us can identify with His death, burial, and resurrection, which is the gospel (1 Cor 15:1-4).

Spiritually Alive

In our past state, the bible says we were “dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh” (v13). This is our natural fleshly state, without Christ we are “dead in sins” (Eph 2:5), and there are no material changes that we can make to change this position. That is what will be addressed at the end of this chapter. Jesus did what only He could do to change our state, based upon His work on the cross, when He “quickened” us “together with him… forgiving you all trespasses” (v13). No amount of ‘cutting off’ or modifying the flesh will destroy the sinful nature or absolve us of its consequences, only a spiritual change can remove “all trespasses” (v13). This is incredible news! And no other religion on the planet offers such a hope and assurance of forgiveness that it will absolve a person of all sin and all sin nature. Only the blood of Jesus can do that!

Spiritually Victorious

There are two enemies of the Christian in verses 14-15, the law, “the handwriting of ordinances" (v14) and the devil, “principalities and powers” (v15). Both of these are “against” us and “contrary to us”(v14). The law is against us because it reveals sin without the possibility of remission (Gal 3:10, Rom 3:20, Heb 10:4). This is why Jesus “took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross” (v14). He removed the law and replaced it with Himself so that we could be set free from it (Rom 8:2).

Secondly, we see our spiritual enemy Satan defeated, which Colossians says that Jesus “spoiled” and“made a shew of them openly” (v15) – him and his demons. Although Satan is a super creature with great powers (Ezk 28:12, 2 Cor 4:4), God defeated Him through the “weakness” (2 Cor 13:4) of the cross! How embarrassing! God’s show and display of power was through what appeared on the surface to be loss – as often is the case in Christianity , “whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it” (Mark 8:35). In Jesus’ act of the cross, He defeated all spiritual darkness, which is how we are brought into His kingdom (1:12-13). Christians are now able to equip the armour of God and “stand against the wiles of the devil” (Eph 6:11). This doesn’t mean that Satan is dead, just that He is unable to overcome God and His work in our life.

V16-23 Against Aestheticism

Because Christians have been changed so greatly by Jesus Christ, we ought not be subject to the things of this world. We did not do anything physical to be reconciled to God, and there is not physical act that we can do upon salvation to lose our new standing in Christ, so the remainder of this chapter is a firm stand against aestheticism, which teaches that external and physical things have moral value, and we should keep ourselves from such. This is known more commonly as Gnosticism.

Because of our salvation in Christ, we are no longer subject to this world, “let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holy day” (v16). We do not trust in the keeping of the law or any commandments to ensure our purity. We should not let anyone ‘add to’ our salvation or guilt us into doing ‘more things’ to be right with God. There is freedom to keep a Sabbath, a feast, or have certain convictions, but they cannot be taught as necessary for salvation or holiness (Rom 14:1-6). There are many good things to discover in God’s word within the law of the Old Testament, which are a “shadow of things to come”(v17), but they are merely that: teachings and types which are “for our learning” (Rom 15:4).

There are two problems revealed here: first are false teachers, “let no man beguile you” (v18), and secondly Christian legalism, “touch not; taste not; handle not” (v21).

False Teachers

We must always be on guard for those that want to ‘add something’ to our faith. These men are those who would “glory in your flesh” (Gal 6:13) with a false “humility” (v18), and would claim to have additional supernatural revelations with the “worshipping of angels” (v18). Though there is undoubtedly some heresy that is sourced in the supernatural (Gal 1:18), Paul revealed that these Colossian heretics were really just “vainly puffed up” (18) with their own imaginations, as heresy can also be a work of the flesh (Gal 5:20). It will always be true of all cults and false teachers that they will violate the doctrine of Christ, “not holding the Head” (v19) and the church, “all the body” (v19). If they have “another Jesus” (2 Cor 11:4) or a total lack thereof, or if they are the ‘true church’, then run like crazy away from these people! A few modern examples are Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Christian Legalism

Secondly, we see the results of the doctrine of these false teachers, they “subject” Christians to “ordinances” (v20) and “doctrines of men” (v22). Galatians is in very many ways the contemporary to Colossians in that it clearly sets the believer free from these types of restraints, “stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free” (Gal 5:1). Christians are “dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world” (v20). There is nothing that can change our identity in Him. We can then “in the world” (v20) without the burden or guilt of wondering if the material items we possess or interact with are in some way disrupting our position in Christ.

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.

At some point, legalism, and Gnosticism is really just a work of the flesh, in what the bible calls “will worship” (v23). Are we relying on our own power or ‘neglect’ or ‘satisfaction’ (v23) to keep us righteous? Or are we relying exclusively on Christ and the gospel? That is the issue here. False teachers will always produce these fleshy outcomes, as there is a “satisfying of the flesh” (v23) which appeals to the carnal nature of human beings.

Friend, are you worried if owning a particular kind of item, eating a certain kind of food, or celebrating a certain kind of holiday will violate your salvation and your walk with God? If so, you are placing too much emphasis on the material world, and, “this persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you” (Gal 5:8).

Chapter 3 Christian Conduct

Coming off the heels of chapter 2’s condemnation of aestheticism, chapter 3 gives the Colossian church a new focus: Christ and morality, which impacts their character and relationships more than the worldly focus of the false teachers in Colosse were doing.

V1-4 Character in Your Pursuit

Since the life of a Christian is now firmly planted in Christ, and there is no physical thing on this earth that can take it away, we ought to focus on “those things which are above” (v1). An overconcentration on tangible items, and their effect on our spiritual life is unhealthy, therefore we are to place our “affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (v2). This had a certain ring to it for the Colossians, based on their circumstances, but it is also true for us and perhaps in a different way. If you have been “risen with Christ”(v1), what is the focus of your life? Is it Jesus and His kingdom or His coming, “when Christ, who is our life, shall appear” (v4)? If not, then we have gravely misplaced our focus and our affections. Christians no longer ‘have a life’, because an exchange was made at salvation, your life for Christ’s. He gave you His righteousness (2 Cor 5:21) and you gave Him your life, “ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God” (v3). Therefore, the life that you now live in the flesh is unto Christ “by the faith of the Son of God” (Gal 2:2).

The Christians hope is not in this life, but in the next. Sure, we can experience blessings in this life, but it pales in comparison to what awaits us in glory (2 Cor 4:17). Here we are told how to focus our attention on life above, by looking for that “blessed hope” (Titus 2:13), when Christ shall “appear” and we will be “with him in glory” (V4) If we can live with a presence of mind that we will soon see Jesus, we would live our lives differently! The imminent return of Christ is sanctifying in our character and helps us filter our values and priorities. Through it, we are reminded that everything on this earth will, “melt with fervent heat” (2 Pet 3:10). The very elements that the aesthetics and Gnostics would fixate on will one day be destroyed by Jesus anyway!

V5-17 Character in Your Life

What does life look like for one that has been set free from the shackles of hyper fixation on physical things? What kind of character does a life focused on “things above” (v1) produce? These next verses will give us a great description of the life that should be true of the believer in Christ.

Putting Down Sin

Since Christians have been freed from fixation on “the rudiments of the world” (2:20), we are instead free to focus on moral character. What we DO matters more than what we interact with. If we follow Christ, our actions should be affected in such a way that we are different from others without our focus, thus we are told, “mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth” (v5). To “mortify” is to ‘put to death’, which means that we are no longer restraining these character issues, we are dead to them (Rom 6:2). This list includes 4 different kinds of sexual immorality and perversion of the conscience, “fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence” (v5), followed by a much more subtle act of “covetousness” (v5).

Perhaps we would not struggle with the greater sins? But how about “idolatry” (v5), because we learn here that covetousness is the same thing. A good definition for covetousness is to ‘want something we can’t have’, perhaps something that is out of bounds like your neighbor’s house or wife (Exo 20:17) – it is theirs, not yours, and it would be inappropriate for you to have. In this way, focusing on the physical instead of“things above” (v2) is a form of worship, from which we were saved out of, “in which ye also walked” (v7). Christians have no business pursuing the ‘old ways’, as we are reminded here that these things’ are the reasons why the wicked will be punished, “for which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience” (v6). Of course we are not better than the lost world, we are saved by grace through Jesus Christ and that should motivate us to live differently.

Watching Your Mouth

Jesus said that “out of the abundance of the hearth the mouth speaketh” (Matt 12:34), therefore we must be careful to fix our hearts on the Lord (Psa 57:7) and not on our feelings. Here we find that if the physical or the sensual will not trip us up, likely emotions can, “anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy” (v8). These are heart issues that eventually spew out into our world and affect other people. Christianity’s focus on “things above”(v1) doesn’t give us a ‘pass’ on controlling our emotions, like the aestheticism promoted by false teachers within the Colossian church.

While anger may not be sin (Eph 4:26), we learn here that if it is not “put away” (v8), it can produce much more difficult problems (Prov 14:17, 29:22, Ecc 7:9). Eventually uncontrolled anger will cause us to say things that we regret like “blasphemy” (v8), which is to demean the name of God, and “filthy communication out of your mouth” (v8). In this way anger can be a form of drunkenness that overtakes our casual sensibilities and causes us to do things without thinking clearly, that we will likely regret later. We should then be careful of our emotions because they lead to the outcomes of life or death (Prov 18:21).

Speaking the Truth

Instead of spewing hatred and vitriol by our uncontrolled feelings, Christians are told, “lie not one to another” (v9). While only mentioned briefly here, it is worth noting. Christians, of all people, have no business producing falsehood because we have “the truth” I Jesus Christ (John 14:6) and in the word of God (John 17:17). How could we then be known for lying? How could the lost world trust what we would say about God or Jesus is they can’t trust us about more menial things like our timeclock, bank account, or what we did last night? Overly focusing on the material world will cause us to attempt to keep up a standard of external standards that will be impossible to keep, but honesty, it is timeless and powerful. It will penetrate right through our charade of religion and focus on the heart and placing Christ at the center of it.

Living New Life

Christians can live life differently than anyone else on the planet because of our new nature in Christ (2 Cor 5:17). We are told here to, “put off the old man with his deeds” (v9) and to “put on the new man” (v10). Though we have already ‘put on’ the new man at salvation, we must strive to maintain our new life in the Spirit, by walking in the Spirit (Gal 5:25). This is aided by the word of God, “which is renewed in knowledge”(v10). Christians must then become students! We must be willing to keep taking in “knowledge” to ‘renew’ ourselves in the “inner man” (Eph 3:16). This knowledge though is not merely intellectualism, but knowledge that is “after the image of him that created him” (v10). We need the knowledge of God to remind us of who we are in Christ and who God is. We can only find that kind of knowledge in the word of God. Friend, if you are not regularly reading the word of God and allowing it to ‘renew your mind’ (Rom 12:2), you will find the “old man” and his “deeds” (v9) overwhelmingly powerful and end up living a shallow Christian life. Read your bible!

Note here that the “new man” (v10) is not focused on the world, even their lineage and history. Christians have a new life which is “hid with Christ in God” (v3), where there is “neither Greek nor Jew” (v11), but “Christ is all, and in all” (v11). This is true of us individually in Christ, but it is also true of us in the body of Christ, we are all “baptized into one body” (1 Cor 12:13), therefore if we want “put on the new man” (v10) and walk in Christ, we ought to be showing up to church where others are doing the same. Our new identity in Christ is not individual, its membership to Christ’s body. Are you plugged into a local church where you can grow together with other believers?

Forgiving Your Neighbour

Because of the forgiveness that Christians have received on the cross, we of all people out to be “forbearing on another and forgiving one another” (v13). We are reminded that “as Christ forgave you, so also do ye”(v13). At the moment that you were saved, God no longer held your sin over your head and made you feel bad, manipulated you with it, or distanced Himself from you because of it… He totally removed it, “as far as the east is from the west” (Psa 103:12). Once we have experienced that kind of forgiveness then we can extend it to others in, “bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind” (v12). Being reminded of our own sin and forgiveness helps us apply it to others. It reminds me of the woman that Jesus forgave, saying, “Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little”(Luke 7:47). We would do well then to expose the depths of God’s forgiveness towards us, for forgiveness is a fundamental principle in Christianity.

Loving One Another

The greatest of our relational virtues is “charity, which is the bond of perfectness” (v14), meaning that charity, or love, is the fullest mark of Christian maturity. If we claim to know Christ, and have our focus on Him, with victory over our “old man” (v9), then naturally what will follow is love towards others. Without charity, we simply prove our immaturity. Charity will always enable peace, “let the peace of God rule in your hearts”(v15). That is what true godly love wants, for us to be at peace with God and with others, as we are called together in it, “in one body” (v15). Charity then thinks about the needs of others and the greater whole, as it “vaunteth not itself” (1 Cor 13:4).

Praising Christ Greatly

Our final character quality in this list is worship. We find that true worship is according to the word of God, “the word of Christ” and worship results in having immersed oneself in it, “dwell in you richly in all wisdom”(v16). When we are steeped in God’s word it affects our individual hearts, but it also affects the whole, “teaching and admonishing one another” (v16). Here we see that this can happen with song, “in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” (v16). Music has a way of moving us, but music steeped in the word of God can go even deeper than the feeling or emotion of the sound, it reaches the heart, “singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (v16). As we saw in Ephesians, this is also evidence of walking in the Spirit (Eph 5:19).

No matter what situation a Christian finds themselves in, we should do it “in the name of the Lord Jesus” (v17). This verse generalizes all of life’s circumstances and gives us a fresh perspective: whatever our lot in life is, it is really about the Lord and not the actual thing that we are doing. We should do it to the glory of His name, as worship to Him, “giving thanks to God” (v17). Prayer and gratitude in all things, along with a heart steeped in the word of God and singing sons, will help to resolve most any situation we find ourselves in.

V18-25 Character in your Role

Much like Ephesians, Colossians points specifically at Christian character within different aspects of life. Here we find the most fundamental relationships in society: marriage, family, and work.

First is marriage, which is the backbone of society, with specific instruction given to both parties in the marriage, “wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands” (v18). An additional caveat is made here, which is not identified in Ephesians, “as it is fit in the Lord” (v18). This incredible little addition saves wives from doing anything unbiblical or immoral in service to their husbands. Praise God for it! Husbands are told, “love your wives” (v19), which matches up nicely with the Ephesian account, but again another caveat is made, “and be not bitter against them” (v19). We find then that husbands cannot be loving their wives at the same time as holding a grudge against them.

Children are told to, “obey your parents in all things” (v20). Ephesians gives children the same safety net as wives, that they only need to obey “in the Lord” (Eph 6:1). As naughty of a word as “obey” is in today’s society, it must be redeemed as a wholesome quality that is “pleasing to the Lord” (v20). A child’s obedience to their parents at home is preparation for their obedience to the Lord in adulthood, for obedience is a paramount virtue to God (Ecc 12:13).

In consideration of parenting, God ensured that we fully understood the gravity of it by directly addressing fathers here, “provoke not your children to anger” (v21). Since fathers share a title with God, Father (Luke 11:2), they ought to display His character in the home. God does not “provoke” His children, or intentionally rile them up to anger, so why should earthly fathers? That would have the opposite result that God intends. There is still a place for discipline in the home, but it must be done lovingly and in accordance with the character of God (Heb 12:5, Prov 3:11).

Next is the work relationship, seen here between “servants” (v22) and “masters” (4:1). Christianity does not promote or condemn slavery; it simply sidesteps the issue and calls believers to obedience in whatever situation they are “called” (1 Cor 7:20). Though the preferred position is liberty (1 Cor 7:21), if one was in either of these roles there were specific instructions given to them. The issue here, just like in marriage and parenting, is always about the Lord. God sees all circumstances and will “reward” (v24) His people for obedience to Him, no matter what situation they are in. Heavenly reward then, is equally available to all no matter their lot in life.

While we may not be in indentured servitude today, these verses can be inspirationally applied to our employment, which is a big part of our lives. While at work we are ‘clocked in’ as a Christian and God is watching. Christians are called to “obey in all things… in singleness of heart, fearing God” (v22). Whatever your job may be, it can be done “heartily, as to the Lord” (v23), because really it is Jesus that you serve at all times.

God does not show favoritism, whatever our roles are, He expects us to walk with Him in them, for He does not have “respect of persons” (v25).

Chapter 4 Recognizing the Faithful

This chapter rounds out the book with a request for prayer (v2-3), brief charge (vv4-6), and personal remarks on relationships and ministry in the Colossian church. Ten people are listed by name, some having been with Paul at the time of writing, and others are addressed within the church, especially Epaphras and Archippus who make up the local ministry leadership.

V1 Continued Instruction

Spilling over into this chapter is one final remark from the previous, which is to “masters” (v1). As is similarly addressed to the Ephesian church (Eph 6:9), they were to treat their servants with dignity and respect, “give unto your servants that which is just and equal” (v1). Christian masters had the responsibility of showing Christ in their lives and therefore could not forfeit Christlike character in their role. This is a fitting admonition and inclusion into this chapter because “Onesimus” (v9), who is also mentioned here, was a master. Paul wrote the book of Philemon to him with continued instruction on Christian conduct to the masters and servant relationship.

V2-3 Request for Prayer

Paul charges the Colossian church to, “continue in prayer” (v2), but with one eye opened, “and watching in the same” (v2). Christians are to pray at all times and “without ceasing” (1 Thess 5:17), therefore we are mostly unable to have our eyes closed during prayer. This has more to do with an ‘attitude’ or prayer than it does the manner, as Jesus said to “watch and pray” (Matt 26:41) and Paul wrote the same in the context of spiritual warfare (Eph 6:18). This makes prayer something personal and alive, instead of ritualistic. It is a constant conversation with God around the happenings of our lives. It should also be, “with thanksgiving”(v2), as there is more to prayer than making requests (Phil 1:4).

Prayer also works for others! As Paul requests prayer for himself, “praying also for us” (v3). Just a reminder that Paul was incarcerated during this time (v3), but his prayer was about the ministry and reaching others more so than his comfort. He asks, “that God would open unto us a door of utterance” (v3). He took his role in ministry seriously and desired more than anything to have an opportunity to share the saving news of the gospel with the people of Rome. He always sees it as his duty, “that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak” (v4). If Paul had to request prayer from others, and he was an apostle of Christ, then we also are not free from needing the help and prayers of others! He was a bold preacher and fruitful minister, yet he wanted God to open the doors of ministry to him, and he knew that the prayers of the saints could aid him in accomplishing the will of God in his life.

V5-6 Brief Charge

Verses 5-6 are a brief charge that pack a lot of punch in a small package. Considering Paul’s request for open doors with the gospel, these verses remind us of our testimony to the lost world, “walk in wisdom, toward them that are without” (v5). Those that are “without”, are outside of the church. The redemption of time (v5) is to consider the brevity of our interactions with the lost world and ‘buy back’ every opportunity we can to reach them for Christ. In that, our “speech” (v6) is paramount. It is critical that our interaction with the lost world is “with grace, seasoned with salt” (v6). We cannot overwhelm them with all the truth that we know. Instead, we must learn how “to answer every man” (v6). As we trust in the Lord and walk in the Spirit, we can have meekness and temperance in dispensing saving truth to the lost in a way they can receive it.

V7-11 Ministers with Paul

Paul sent this letter to the Colossians by way of two men that visited them, “Tychicus” (v7) and “Onesimus”(v9). They were to learn the “estate” (v8) of the Colossian church and “comfort” (v8) their hearts. These men are dear to Paul and are both called “faithful” (v8-9). They are sent with the highest regard, and they would be able to give an account of what was happening with Paul in Rome, “they shall make known unto you all things which are done here” (v9).

Onesimus is also mentioned in the book of Philemon as a servant that escaped his master (Philemon 10). Paul won Him to Christ while imprisoned together and sent him back to his Christian master named Philemon for reconciliation. Here we find him faithfully serving the Lord as a “beloved brother” (v9) and it would seem that he has been freed from his servitude. History suggests that he later becomes a pastor of the Ephesian church.

Paul also mentions three other men that are with him in Rome. Aristarchus at some point served in bonds with Paul, calling him “my fellowprisoner” (v10). We know that he traveled to Rome with Paul (Acts 27:2). Marcus, who is also called John Mark, is the famous nephew of Barnabas who abandoned Paul on their first missionary journey (Acts 13:13), splitting Paul’s ties with his fellow apostle over John Mark’s service (Acts 15:37-40). By time of writing Colossians, Paul and John Mark had been reconnected and Mark had recovered his testimony, Paul telling the Colossians to “receive him” (v10). Lastly with Paul is “Jesus, which is called Justus” (v11). He and Marcus were “of the circumcision” (v11), being Jews, and Paul considered them in the small minority of his closest friends, “these only are my fellowworkers” (v11). They had been a “comfort” (v11) to him at a time when he needed them the most.

V12-17 Ministers in Colosse

Paul addresses two men that were critical to the growth and development of the Colossian church, “Epaphras” (v12) and “Archippus” (v17). We believe that Epaphras is like the one who started this church, and he continued, “always labouring fervently” (v12) for the church there. He desired them to “stand perfect and complete in all the will of God” (v12). This sounds exactly like the sort of thing a pastor would pray for their church, as did Paul for the church at Colosse (1:9-11). It seems his ministry stretched all the way to Laodicea and to Hierapolis as well (v13). We do not know much about these places other than that they were near Colosse and that Paul wrote an epistle to Laodicea (v16), which was intended to also be distrusted to this church. No doubt Epaphras was helpful with his “great zeal” (v13) at distributing Paul’s letters throughout the region.

Archippus was another faithful minister in Colosse who hosted a church in his house (Philemon 2). It is quite possible that he was also a pastor, as he was told to “take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it” (v17). Whatever his ministry was, Paul wanted to remind him that it was just another responsibility, but it was something that God had entrusted to him, and he needed to take it seriously! This is a good reminder to each of us. What ‘ministry’ has God given you? He should find you faithful to it or why would He entrust you with more (Luke 16:10)?

Luke, the faithful companion of Paul is snuck into the pages here (v14). He was always by Paul’s side, even in the most difficult times. He is called here, “the beloved physician” (v14) which gives us the clearest indication of his vocation and likely the fact that he helped Paul in his infirmities (2 Cor 12:9), for which he had many! Demas is also mentioned here, while in good standing (v14), but by the end of Paul’s lifetime he would abandon the ministry altogether (2 Tim 4:10). This reminds us that although many will serve alongside us, not all of them will continue to be faithful in the future.

V18 Conclusion

Paul ends this letter by signing off with his own signature, “by the hand of me Paul” (v18), as he likely grabbed the pen of the amanuensis to sign his own name. He ends with the reminder of his “bonds” (v18), which he did not want this church to forget. Perhaps this conclusion would help them pray for him as he requested (v2-3)?

[1] John Phillips, Exploring Colossians & Philemon: An Expository Commentary, The John Phillips Commentary Series (Kregel Publications; WORDsearch Corp., 2009), Col 1:1–14.

Thomas Harding