Colossians
Chapter 1
Greeting
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Their Faith in Christ
3 We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints;
5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel,
6 which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth;
7 as you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf,
8 who also declared to us your love in the Spirit.
Preeminence of Christ
9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;
12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.
13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,
14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
Thank you Jesus.
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
“Preeminence”- Above all.
Reconciled in Christ
19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell,
20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.
21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled
“Alienated" - withdrawn.
“Reconciled” - restored friendship.
22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight,
“Reproach”
Any cause to accuse,
or blame.
23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.
Sacrificial Service for Christ
24 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church,
25 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.
27 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.
“1 John 3:24”
Now he who keeps
His commandments abides in Him,
and He in him. And by this we
know that He abides in us,
by the Spirit whom
He has given us.
28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.
29 To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.
Chapter 2
Not Philosophy but Christ
1 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,
2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ,
3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
“Wisdom and knowledge”
“1 Corinthians 1:30”
But of Him you are
in Christ Jesus, who
became for us wisdom
from God, and righteousness
and sanctification and redemption.
“James 1:5”
If any of you lacks wisdom,
let him ask of God, who gives
to all liberally and without
reproach, and it will
be given to him.
“John 8:31-32”
Then Jesus said
to those Jews
who believed Him.
“If you abide in My word,
you are My disciples indeed.
And you shall know the truth,
and the truth shall make you free.”
4 Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words.
5 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.
6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,
7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
“Tradition of men”
“1 Corinthians 2:5”
That your faith should
not be in the wisdom of men
but in the power of God.
“1 Corinthians 3:19”
For the wisdom of this world
is foolishness with God. For
it is written, He catches
the wise in their own
craftiness.
“Principles of the world”
“Romans 12:2”
And do not be
conformed to this world,
but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind, that
you may prove what is that
good and acceptable and
perfect will of God.
“Colossians 3:2”
Set your mind on things above,
not on things on the earth.
9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;
10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
Not Legalism but Christ
11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ
“Amplified version, verse 11”
In Him also you
were circumcised with a
circumcision not made with
hands. But in a (spiritual)
circumcision (performed by)
Christ by stripping off the
body of the flesh (the whole
corrupt, carnal nature with
its passions and lust).
12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.
13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,
14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.
15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.
16 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths,
17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.
18 Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God.
“The head” - is Jesus.
20 Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations.
“Revised Standard Version, verse 20”
If with Christ
you died to
the elemental
spirits of the universe,
why do you live as if you
still belong to the world?
Why do you submit
to regulations?
21 “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,”
22 which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men?
“Revised Standard Version, verse 22”
(referring to things which all perish
as they are used) according to
human precepts and doctrines?
23 These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.
Do not live like the world,
live Jesus teachings.
“John 14:6”
Jesus said to him,
“I am the way,
the truth,and the life.
No one comes to the Father
except through Me.”
Chapter 3
Not Carnality but Christ
1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.
2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
“Matthew 6:10”
“Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
on earth as it
is in heaven.”
3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
“For you died”
To the sinful flesh.
“Galatians 2:20”
I have been crucified with Christ;
it is no longer I who live, but
Christ lives in Me; and the
life which I now live In
the flesh I live by faith
in the Son of God.
Who loved me
and gave
Himself
for me.
4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
“Fornication” - sex before marriage.
“Uncleanness”- pornography, perverted sex.
“Passion" - lust.
“Evil desire” - sin, wickedness.
“Idolatry”- Love of anything above God.
6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience,
7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.
8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.
“Anger”- Hostile feelings
“Wrath”- Loud, violent,
“Malice”- Wishing evil, on someone.
“Blasphemy”- irreverence in speaking of God,
“Filthy language”- cursing, profanity.
9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,
“lie”
Words that are
not true
10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,
11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.
Character of the New Man
12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;
13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
“Matthew 6:14-15”
“For if you forgive men their trespasses,
your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
But if you do not forgive men their
trespasses, neither will your
Father forgive your
trespasses.
14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.
“John 15:12”
“This is My commandment,
that you love one another,
as I have loved you.”
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
“John 14:27”
“Peace I leave with you,
My peace I give to you;
not as the world gives
do I give unto you.
Let not your heart be
troubled, neither let
it be afraid.”
16 Let 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.
“Admonish”
encourage, counsel,
instruct.
17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
The Christian Home
18 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.
20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.
“Ephesians 6:1-3”
Children, obey your parents
in the Lord, for this is right.
“Honour your father and mother,”
which is the first commandment
with promise. “That it may be
well with you and you may
live long on the earth.”
21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.
“Ephesians 6:4”
And you fathers,
do not provoke your
children to wrath, but
bring them up in the
training and admonition
of the Lord.
22 Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God.
23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,
24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.
25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.
Chapter 4
Christian Graces; Final Greetings
1 Masters, give your bond servants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
Christian Graces
2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;
3 meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains,
4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.
“Those who are outside”
The unbelievers.
6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
“Seasoned with salt”
Courteous, humble, Christlike.
Final Greetings
7 Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.
8 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts,
9 with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here.
10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him),
11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.
12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
13 For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis.
14 Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you.
15 Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is in his house.
Closing Exhortations and Blessing
16 Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.
17 And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”
18 This salutation by my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.
“Remember my chains”
Many of Paul’s letters
were written from prison.
A very uncomfortable
place to be.