Colossians

The Colossians had heard the gospel—though apparently not from the Apostle Paul (Col. 2:11For 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; (Colossians 2:1))—and had received it. He could commend them for their faith, love, and hope (Col. 1:4-54Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, 5For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; (Colossians 1:4‑5)). The seed had been planted, and brought forth fruit (Col. 1:66Which 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: (Colossians 1:6)). Nevertheless, we find a hint of a problem in Paul’s reference to Epaphras: “As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ” (Col. 1:77As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; (Colossians 1:7)). The saints at Colosse were being enticed by the allure of philosophy and ritualism. Like those of Athens, the natural man forever desires to “tell, or to hear some new thing” (Acts 17:2121(For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.) (Acts 17:21)). However, what they were about to hear from the Apostle Paul would only confirm that which they had already heard of Epaphras. In returning to the elements of the world, they were, in fact, turning away from Christ; they were not holding the headship of Christ in all its fullness.
The Glories of Christ—Chapter 1
Having given thanks for the things that he had heard of them, Paul prays that they might be “filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding” (Col. 1:99For 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; (Colossians 1:9)). God’s desire for us is nothing less. The Apostle gives thanks unto the Father for that which they—and we as believers—have as a present condition: “which hath made us meet [fit] to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood” (Col. 1:12-1412Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: (Colossians 1:12‑14)).
The glories of Christ follow. He is the Creator of the universe; by Him all things consist. Not only has He the first place as Creator, but “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. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 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” (Col. 1:18-2018And 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. 19For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. (Colossians 1:18‑20)). Thus the foundation for the universal blessing of creation is established in the cross. For those that continue in the faith, with their hope firmly grounded in the Gospel, it is a present accomplished thing (Col. 1:21-2321And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: 23If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; (Colossians 1:21‑23)).
Death and Resurrection—Chapter 2
Having presented the glories of Christ, Paul now touches on his concern for them—philosophy and vain deceit. How could they turn from the glories of Christ to the rudiments of the world (Col. 2:88Beware 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. (Colossians 2:8))? “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him” (Col. 2:9-109For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: (Colossians 2:9‑10)). They were circumcised with the circumcision made without hands (Col. 2:1111In 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: (Colossians 2:11)). Buried with Him in baptism, they were raised again “through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead” (Col. 2:1212Buried 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. (Colossians 2:12)). We have the reality of things in Christ. The past ordinances were “a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ” (Col. 2:1717Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. (Colossians 2:17)). All things flow down from the head; Christ is our Head (Col. 2:1919And 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. (Colossians 2:19)). And as to this scene in which we live, we are dead with Christ from the elements of the world (Col. 2:2020Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Colossians 2:20)). What claim can they have on us now?
Practical Results—Chapters 3-4
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above” (Col. 3:11If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. (Colossians 3:1)). With our mind set on things above, we walk as heavenly people on this earth. Having put off the old man with his deeds and having put on the new; this is what must govern our life. Practical Christianity is manifested in every sphere of our life. “Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Col. 3:1717And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. (Colossians 3:17)).