It is not known by whom the gospel was first preached to the Colossians. Colosse was a large city of Phrygia, and at Pentecost there were Jews from this province at Jerusalem, by whom the glad tidings of salvation may have been introduced; or Col.1:7 may mean that the gospel was first learned by them from Epaphras.
Paul was a prisoner when he wrote the epistle, and Timothy was with him. It is generally held that it was written by Paul during his imprisonment at Rome, about A.D. 62.
The epistle exhibits the personal glory of Christ as the Head, and the way in which the members of the body derive from the Head. The Colossians had little sense of this. The Holy Spirit is the power of union, and in this Epistle is only once named. (Col. 1:88Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit. (Colossians 1:8).) It is the counterpart of the Epistle to the Ephesians. Here the saints are seen not in the heavenlies, but on earth, with their hope in heaven. Instead of the Holy Spirit having prominence, as in the Ephesians, it is Christ as our life. The Colossians not being in such a good state as the Ephesians, they needed Christ ministered to them to deliver them from tradition and philosophy, rather than to have the blessings of the church put before them.
Col. 1:1-81Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother, 2To 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. 3We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4Since 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; 6Which 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: 7As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; 8Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit. (Colossians 1:1‑8).
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, and Timotheus, to the holy and faithful brethren in Christ which are in Colosse.
Paul gave thanks since he heard of their faith in Christ and love to the saints, on account of the hope laid up for them in heaven.
Epaphras had been a faithful minister of Christ to them, who had spoken to him of their love in the Spirit.
Col. 1:9-119For 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; 10That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; (Colossians 1:9‑11). Paul prays for them as having this faith and love that they might (1) be filled with the full knowledge of God's will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; in order that they might (2) walk worthy of the Lord, pleasing Him in all things, in every good work being fruitful, and increasing by the knowledge of God; (3) be strengthened with all power, according to the might of His glory, unto all (not great deeds, but) endurance and long-suffering with joy. (These are things they needed, therefore the apostle desires them for them; but the following things are true of all the saints in Christ Jesus, and the subject of their thanksgiving.)
Col. 1:12-1912Giving 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: 15Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16For 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: 17And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18And 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; (Colossians 1:12‑19). Giving thanks unto the Father, who hath made us fit for sharing the portion of the saints in light (where there is absolute holiness); who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of the Son of His love. In whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
(The glories of the One in whom we have redemption follow.) Who is the image of the invisible God (compare John 1:1818No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. (John 1:18)); the firstborn (chief irrespective of time) of all creation (His headship in creation).
For all things were created by Him and for Him, and by Him all things subsist (He sustains all).
He (as the risen, glorified Man) is the Head of the body, the church; who is the beginning, the very origin—the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He might have the preeminence. (His headship in resurrection, both of the body and of all principality and authority: Col. 2:1010And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: (Colossians 2:10)).
In Him all the fullness was pleased to dwell. (Cf. Col. 2: 9: it is deity.)
Col. 1:20-2320And, 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. 21And 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 1:20‑23). Having made peace by the blood of the cross, by Him to reconcile all things to itself (at present in such disorder) both in earth and in heaven (not “under the earth” here as bowing the knee and confession, as in Phil. 2:1010That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; (Philippians 2:10)). (Thus the cross is the foundation of universal blessing, which will be made good in power in the kingdom.)
The Colossians were already reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, so as to be presented holy, irreproachable, and unreprovable in God's sight, if they continued firm in the faith, and were not moved from the hope of the gospel (which would prove that they were not mere professors They were in danger through their turning to tradition and philosophy).
Col. 1:24-2924Who 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: 25Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; 26Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27To 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: 28Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: 29Whereunto I also labor, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily. (Colossians 1:24‑29). Paul now (in prison) rejoiced in his sufferings to fill up that which was behind of the tribulations of Christ for the sake of His body, which is the church (the Head had suffered, and Paul, the minister of the body, must bear his share of the same—non-atoning sufferings).
The mystery of Christ and the church, hitherto hidden but which was committed to Paul, fulfilled (completed) the word of God. (What was added afterward to the scripture was not in the same sense new truth.)
The mystery had its riches of glory, and its aspect towards the Gentiles was "Christ in you the hope of glory."
This was announced with admonition and teaching, that every one might be presented perfect (full grown) in Christ Jesus.
Paul Wished Them to Know the Conflict He Had for Them and for Other Saints, That They Might Be Encouraged and Be Knit Together in Love, Unto All Riches of the Full Assurance of Understanding, to the Full Acknowledgment of the Mystery of God, and in Which Are Hid All the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge (Christ Being, in the Purposes of God, the Center of All).
Col. 2:4-104And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. 5For 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. 6As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8Beware 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. 9For 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 2:4‑10). Paul feared lest they should be deluded by enticing words, though he rejoiced, seeing their order and the steadfastness of their faith in Christ.
He exhorted them that as they had received the Christ, Jesus the Lord, so they should walk in Him, being rooted, built up, stablished (or assured); and beware lest they be spoiled by philosophy and vain deceit, according to the teaching of men and the elements of the world, and not according to Christ. (They were not to allow worldly wisdom to seduce them from finding everything in Christ. Philosophy only treats of the world, and cannot be added to Christ.)
In whom dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily (cf. Col. 1:1919For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; (Colossians 1:19)); and ye are complete (filled full, referring to the “fullness” in Christ) in Him, who is the Head of all principality and authority. (There is therefore nothing to add to the standing of the Christian: neither is there anything more to take away: for)
Col. 2:11-1511In 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: 12Buried 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. 13And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14Blotting 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; 15And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (Colossians 2:11‑15). In Christ we have the reality of the things signified in the ordinances: 1, the circumcision of Christ: the putting off the body of the flesh (sin being looked at as a characteristic of the body); 2, having been buried with Christ in baptism (compare Romans) in which we have been raised through faith of the operation of God who raised Him.
Being dead in sins, God hath quickened us together with Christ, having forgiven all our trespasses (compare Ephesians).
Col. 2:16-1916Let 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: 17Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. 18Let 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, 19And 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 2:16‑19). The Colossians were not to let any judge them as to Jewish observances: they were but shadows; the body is of Christ. Nor to let any rob them of their reward by leading them into mystical imaginations, and into worshipping of angels: such an one was not holding fast the Head, from whom all the body by joints and bands is ministered to, is united, and thus increases with the increase of God (showing that every member is united to and derives jointly from the Head).
Col. 2:20-2320Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 21(Touch not; taste not; handle not; 22Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? 23Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honor to the satisfying of the flesh. (Colossians 2:20‑23). Seeing they had died with Christ from the elements of the world, why, as if alive in it, were they subject to ordinances, (such as) handle not, taste not, touch not, after the teaching of men, just to satisfy the flesh. These things perish in the using (cf. 1 Cor. 6:1313Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. (1 Corinthians 6:13)); and the ordinances are only a show of wisdom in will-worship and humility, neglecting the body (as asceticism and monachism in later times. Laws and ordinances suit men alive in the world, but the Christian has died with Christ. This is the negative side; but now in Col. 3. exhortations follow, based on the positive side that we are risen with Christ).
Col. 3:1-71If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. 5Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 7In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. (Colossians 3:1‑7).
If risen with Christ seek the things which are above: set your mind on them: for ye have died and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ our life appears ye shall appear with Him in glory. (Ye are now heavenly persons on earth, waiting for your Lord.)
Col. 3:8-118But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 11Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. (Colossians 3:8‑11). And put off practically wrath, &c., seeing ye have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, renewed into full knowledge according to the image of Him that has created him. (The Christian has the divine nature, and what is morally of Christ now characterizes him, hence he has a divine knowledge of an object outside himself, Christ, the object of his faith and thoughts).
Wherein there is neither Jew nor Greek, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond, nor free; but Christ is all (as an object) and in all (as power of life to enjoy Him and know the Father).
Col. 3:12-1712Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17And 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 3:12‑17). Put on practically, as the elect of God, bowels of mercies, &c. Forgive, as Christ forgave you.
Put on love, the bond of perfectness: it is the nature of God. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly... singing with grace in your hearts to God.
Do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, and give thanks to God the Father by Him. Practical Christianity should be manifested in every sphere of life.
Col. 3:18-2518Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. 19Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. 20Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. 21Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. 22Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: 23And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. 25But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. (Colossians 3:18‑25). Wives, submit. Husbands, love. Children, obey. Fathers, vex not. Servants, obey. *
Col. 4.-Masters, give what is just and fair.
Various exhortations follow. Our speech should be always with grace, seasoned with salt (not insipid talk).
Tychicus and Onesimus would tell them of Paul's affairs. Salutations follow.
This epistle was also to be read to the Laodiceans; and that from Laodicea (perhaps the Epistle to the Ephesians being circulated) was to be read by the Colossians.
A message to Archippus, and Paul's own salutation close the epistle, adding, "Grace be with you. Amen."