Archives for March 2016

Good morning,

Today Paul tells the Colossians about the person of Jesus and reconciliation with Jesus.   This is the solution to the theological problems that the Colossians was facing.

1. The person of Christ (15-19)

 ¹⁵ Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:  ¹⁶ For 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:  ¹⁷ And He is before all things, and by 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 might have the preeminence.  ¹⁹ For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell;

 Firstborn indicates His priority before all creation. Verse 16 provides the reason Christ is called the firstborn in verse 15. Paul’s rationale is this. Since by Him were all things created, the (1) Christ must have existed before the universe, and (2) He must be greater than all He made. Thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers all refer to angelic beings (cf. Ephesians 1:21, 3:10). “Thrones” refer to angels who sit on thrones as rulers, “dominions” refer to domains or kingdoms over which these heavenly beings reign, “principalities” refer to rulers, and “powers” refer to angelic monarchs who yield regal power. Since Christ created these various ranks of angels, He is supreme over them. Striking a blow to the Colossian heresy advocating angel worship (2:18), this text forbids Christians to pay homage to angels or other heavenly beings created by God.

2. Reconciliation (20-23)

 ²⁰ 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.  ²¹ And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled ²² In the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and unblamable and unreprovable in His sight:  ²³ If 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;

Reconciliation is the act whereby God, through Christ’s atonement, brings men who are at odds with Him back into a peaceful, proper relationship with Himself.

Paul uses the person of Christ to refute the heresies of the Colossian church.

The heresies at Colossae are still in play today. This is why it is vital for us to know who Christ is, what He has done, and to be willing to tell others.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Yesterday we read that the Colossian church had several problems. Instead of Paul stating the problem and then giving the solution, he begins with the solution. He tells them about the person of Jesus, reconciliation with Jesus, and how he has served Jesus. Verses 1-14 form the introduction to the letter.

WRITER

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,

RECIPIENTS

² To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colossae: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

SALUTATION

³ We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,  ⁴ Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints,  ⁵ For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;  ⁶ Which 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:

MINISTER IN COLOSSAE

 ⁷ As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellow servant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;  ⁸ Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.

PAUL’S PRAYER FOR THE COLOSSIANS

 ⁹ For 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;  ¹⁰ That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;  ¹¹ Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;  ¹² Giving thanks unto the Father, Which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:  ¹³ Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son:  ¹⁴ In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Paul wants the Colossians to follow Christ. This will be important as we move forward. Tomorrow we will look at the person of Christ and reconciliation with Christ.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001