Thoughts from Mark "Hat" Rackley

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father.
We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people—the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness—the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.

• Colossians 1:1-29

Noted Biblical Scholars, Teachers, and Preachers Comments

Colossians 1:1 ‘Paul’: “For details on the apostle Paul, see Introduction to Romans: Author and Date; see … Acts 9:1. Timothy. Paul’s co-laborer and true child in the faith was able to be with him because, although Paul was a prisoner, he had personal living quarters (Acts 28:16–31).”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

Colossians 1:2 ‘saints’: “Those who have been separated from sin and set apart to God—the believers in Colosse (see … 1 Cor. 1:2). faithful. A word used in the NT exclusively for believers. Cf. v. 4. Colosse. One of 3 cities in the Lycus River valley in the region of Phyrgia, in the Roman province of Asia (part of modern Turkey), about 100 mi. E of Ephesus …. Grace … and peace. Paul’s greeting in all 13 of his epistles (see … Rom. 1:7).”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

Colossians 1:3-5 ‘faith, love, and hope’: “Three graces should be always evident in Christians-faith, love, and hope. They are each mentioned by Paul in the opening verses of this epistle. These lovely graces should be so obvious in every believer as to be spoken of and heard of even by those who have never seen us. These flowers should yield so sweet a perfume that their fragrance may be perceived by those who have never gazed on them. So it was with the saints at Colossae.“

• Charles H. Spurgeon, from sermon notes

Colossians 1:4-5 ‘Hope Laid up in Heaven’: “The church in Colossae had a great outpouring of love not only for the saints in their own congregation but apparently also for believers throughout the growing Chris­ tian community spreading out everywhere (Colossians 1:4). They also held firmly to the hope (Greek, elpis) that was laid up for them in heaven. This heavenly hope (or confident expectation) was set forth ‘in the word of truth, the gospel’ (verse 5). This shows that part of the good news was the anticipation of going home to be with the Lord someday. ‘Faith and love came into their hearts because of the great hope they had heard, heard from the start …in the Word, the Word that was marked by divine truth’ (Lenski, Colossians, p. 24). This same gospel was bearing good works and fruit and ‘increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth’ (verse 6).”

• Tim LaHaye and Ed Hindson, Exploring Bible Prophecy

Colossians 1:6 ‘in all the world’: “Cf. v. 23, “every creature under heaven.” The gospel was never intended for an exclusive group of people; it is good news for the whole world (Matt. 24:14; 28:19, 20; Mark 16:15; Rom. 1:8, 14, 16; 1 Thess. 1:8). It transcends all ethnic, geographic, cultural, and political boundaries. fruit. Refers to the saving effect of gospel preaching and to the growth of the church. See … Rom. 1:13; Phil. 1:22; cf. Matt. 13:3–8, 31, 32.”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

Colossians 1:9 ‘All part of a team’: “Nobody is a whole chain. Each one is a link. But take way one link and the chain is broken.
“Nobody is a whole team. Each one is a player. But take away one player and the game is forfeited.
“Nobody is a whole orchestra. Each one is a musician. But take away one musician and the symphony is incomplete.
“We need each other. You need someone and someone needs you. Isolated islands, we’re not.”

• Charles R. Swindoll, Bedside Blessings

Colossians 1:10-12 ‘introductory prayer’: ”The believers at Colossae had a problem, a problem that Paul addresses in this letter. It seems they were on the verge of losing their understanding of the power by which the Christian life is lived. This letter is Paul’s great explanation of the power and joy that God provides for living the Christian life. Paul expresses the theme of Colossians in his introductory prayer.“

• Ray C. Stedman, Adventuring Through the Bible

Colossians 1:10-11 ‘Out of the Spotlight’: “Scripture tells us not to praise ourselves but to let others speak about us. Whatever field we work in, our job is to do the best we can and let our attitude, work ethic, gifts, and skills speak volumes. When we do that, others will eventually notice, and that will mean much more to us and to them than if we had to make them notice with our mouths. A ‘look at me’ attitude may get attention in the short run, but it doesn’t pay off long-term. God honors humility, not pride.”

• Tony Dungy, Uncommon Life – Daily Challenge (excerpt from devotion for 11 June)

Colossians 1:10 ‘Discipline’: “Discipline is one of the most hated terms of our times right alongside patience and self-control. But have you noticed how often it comes up in the testimonies of those who win?
“No runner completes the training or a race without it.
“No human body is kept fit without it.
“No temptation is overcome without it.
“If you want to put a stop to mediocrity, to replace excuses with fresh determination, … you need discipline.”

• Charles R. Swindoll, Bedside Blessings

Colossians 1:12-14 ‘The Inheritance with the Saints’: “Salvation was planned by the heavenly Father and carried out by the sacrifice of the Son. Paul gives thanks to God the Father ‘who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light’ (Colossians 1:12). The Greek word hikanoo, translated ‘qualified’ means ‘to make one sufficient, render fit, make adequate.’ Through the sacrifice of Christ, God has made believers adequate for salvation. Mortals who by faith trust Christ as Savior now can share in the glory that they could otherwise not attain to.
“The apostle writes much about the ‘inheritance’ (Greek, kleronomia) believers have in Christ. The Greek term means ‘to be legally called, appointed.’ Paul uses this word in his writings 17 times, and that includes the word ‘heir’ (Greek, kleronomos). The Holy Spirit is the earnest of our inheritance (Ephesians 1:14), and Paul points out that the eternal inheritance (Hebrews 9:15) cannot come by keeping the law (Galatians p8). While believers now have the guarantee of this inheritance of everlasting life, its completion is yet future. Believers who now exist as children of God are ‘heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ’ (Romans 8:17). They are ‘waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body’ (verse 23). With patience the child of God waits eagerly for this to take place (verse 25).
“Believers are now called ‘the saints in Light’ (Colossians 1:12)-that is, sons of the day and not of the darkness (1 Thessalonians 5:5).”

• Tim LaHaye and Ed Hindson, Exploring Bible Prophecy

Colossians 1:12 ‘the delight of His heart’: “Contrary to popular opinion, God doesn’t sit in heaven with His jaws clenched, His arms folder in disapproval, and a deep frown on His brow. He is not ticked off at His children for all the times we trip over our tiny feet and fall flat on our diapers. He is a loving Father, and we are precious in His sight, the delight of His heart. After all, He ‘has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.’ Think of it! He’s put us in His inheritance!”

• Charles R. Swindoll, Bedside Blessings

Colossians 1:14 ‘redemption’: “The Gr. word means ‘to deliver by payment of a ransom,’ and was used of freeing slaves from bondage. Here it refers to Christ freeing believing sinners from slavery to sin (cf. Eph. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:30; see … Rom. 3:24). through His blood. Cf. v. 20. A reference, not limited to the fluid as if the blood had saving properties in its chemistry, but an expression pointing to the totality of Christ’s atoning work as a sacrifice for sin. This is a frequently used metonym in the NT (see Eph. 1:7; 2:13; Heb. 9:14; 1 Pet. 1:19). The word ‘cross’ (as in v. 20) is used similarly to refer to the whole atoning work (see 1 Cor. 1:18; Gal. 6:12, 14; Eph. 2:16). See … Rom. 5:9. the forgiveness of sins. The Gr. word is a composite of two words that mean ‘to pardon’ or ‘grant remission of a penalty.’ Cf. Ps. 103:12; Mic. 7:19; Eph. 1:7; see … 2 Cor. 5:19–21.”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

Colossians 1:15-20 ‘the source of power is Jesus Christ’: ”Paul’s prayer is that Christians might be strengthened with all power (that’s why he wrote the letter) according to God’s glorious might (the central issue of this letter). Beginning on this note, Paul sets forth the source of all power in the Christian life: Jesus Christ. How can Jesus-a man who was born as a baby, lived as a man, and died on a cross­ be the source of all power? Simple: Jesus is God. Paul makes this point in a powerful way “

• Ray C. Stedman, Adventuring Through the Bible

Colossians 1:16-17 ‘Christian Responsibility – Secular Order’: ” ‘All things have been created through him and for him. … and in him all things hold together’ (Col. 1:16-17). That means that there is nothing that stands outside a relationship with Christ, neither persons nor things; indeed, only in its relationship to Christ does anything created have its essence, not only human beings but also the state, the economy, science, nature, and so on. … Because all things were created for Christ’s sake and for Christ, they therefore stand under the commandment and claim of Christ. For Christ’s sake and for Christ, there is and there should be secular order in the state, the family, and the economy. For Christ’s sake the secular order stands under the commandment of God. Here we must note that it is not a question of the ‘Christian state’ or the ‘Christian economy,’ but the just state and the just economy as secular orders for Christ’s sake. Thus there is a Christian responsibility for the secular orders, and there are related assertions within a Christian ethic.”

• Dietrich Bonhoeffer, I Want to Live These Days with You, devotional compiled from several of his writings

Colossians 1:16 ‘Creation at His command’: “What a phenomenal list! Things in heaven and earth. Seen and unseen. Powers, lords, rulers, and authorities. No thing, place, or person omitted. The scale on the sea urchin. The hair on the elephant hide. The hurricane that wrecks the coast, the rain that nourishes the desert, the infant’s first heartbeat, the elderly person’s final breath-all can be traced back to the hand of Christ, the firstborn of creation.
“Firstborn in Paul’s vernacular has nothing to do with birth order. Firstborn refers to or­ der of rank ‘He ranks higher than everything that has been made’ (Colossians 1:15). Everything? Find an exception. Peter’s mother-in-law has a fever; Jesus rebukes it.  A tax needs to be paid; Jesus pays it by sending first a coin and then a fisherman’s hook into the mouth of a fish.  Jesus … bats an eyelash, and nature jumps. “

• Max Lucado, A Love Worth Giving

Colossians 1:16 ‘only one Creator’: “‘In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth’ (Genesis 1:1) and God made all things that are therein. There was no other creating god. That is one attribute that God did not give to anybody else. God can impart some of His attributes, such as love, mercy, or kindness. But He can’t impart the attribute that enables Him to create. God Almighty alone is the Creator; there are not two gods, only one.”

• A. W. Tozer, The Root of the Righteous

Colossians 1:17 ‘Christ the Creator’: “Paul declares Jesus Christ to be the Creator, the One who brought the world into being with a word. As God the Son, He was present in the beginning with the Father”

• Ray C. Stedman, Adventuring Through the Bible

Colossians 1:18 ‘the head of the body’: “As if to show us that this title of ‘head of the body’ is to be held in highest esteem, it is here placed in connection with the loftiest honors of our Lord Jesus. In the same breath the Son of God is styled ‘the image of the invisible God,’ ‘the firstborn over all creation,’ and then, ‘the head of the body, the church.’ We dare not, therefore, think lightly of this title, nor do we hesitate to assert that any levity with regard to it would be as disgraceful as the profane use of any other name of our divine Lord.”

• Charles H. Spurgeon, from sermon notes

Colossians 1:18 ‘holding the church together’: ”Paul goes on to say that the one who created the universe and holds it together is also the one who created the church and holds it together.“

• Ray C. Stedman, Adventuring Through the Bible

Colossians 1:24-28 ‘The Mystery of the Church Age’: “Paul uses the greek word musterion 20 times in his writings. He uses the word most often in the sense of ‘that which is not before revealed.’ He writes about the dispensation of the church age and the union of believers with Christ as a mystery. He reminds the Colossian church that he has been made ‘a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit’ (Colossians 1:25). The word ‘stewardship’ is the Greek word oikonomia, which is translated ‘dispensation’ in many Bible versions. Paul is referring to the new dispensation of the church, ‘the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations; but has now been manifested to His saints’ (verse 26). The great truth not shown in the Old Testament, but now seen in this dispensation, is that ‘Christ would indwell the believer’ (Walvoord, Prophecy Knowledge Handbook, p. 477).”

• Tim LaHaye and Ed Hindson, Exploring Bible Prophecy

Colossians 1:24 ‘Reflections’: “Before a man can be filled with the Spirit he must be sure he wants to be. And let this be taken seriously. Many Christians want to be filled, but their desire is a vague romantic kind of thing hardly worthy to be called desire. They have almost no knowledge of what it will cost them to realize it.
“Let us imagine that we are talking to an inquirer, some eager young Christian, let us say, who has sought us out to learn about the Spirit-filled life. As gently as possible, considering the pointed nature of the questions, we would probe his soul somewhat as follows: “Are you sure you want to be filled with a Spirit who, though He is like Jesus in His gentleness and love, will nevertheless demand to be Lord of your life? Are you willing to let your personality to be taken over by another, even if that other be the Spirit of God Himself? If the Spirit takes charge of your life, He will expect unquestioning obedience in everything. He will not tolerate in you the self­sins even though they are permitted and excused by most Christians. By the self-sins I mean self-love, self-pity, self-seeking, self-confidence, self-righteousness, self-aggrandizement, self­ defense. You will find the Spirit to be in sharp opposition to the easy ways of the world and of the mixed multitude within the precincts of religion. He will be jealous over you for good. He will take the direction of your life away from you. He will reserve the right to test you, to discipline you, to chasten you for your soul’s sake. He may strip you of those borderline pleasures which other Christians enjoy but which are to you a source of refined evil. Through it all He will enfold you in a love so vast, so mighty, so all-embracing, so wondrous that your very losses will seem like gains and your small pains like pleasures. Yet the flesh will whimper under His yoke and cry out against it as a burden too great to bear. And you will be permitted to enjoy the solemn privilege of suffering to ‘, fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ’ in your flesh for His body’s sake, which is the Church (Colossians 1:24). Now, with the conditions before you, do you still want to be filled with Holy Spirit?”

• A. W. Tozer, God’s Pursuit of Man

Colossians 1:25-27 ‘God applies this promise to us all’: ”Paul addresses not only the Colossians, but you and me as well. We too were once estranged, enemies of God because of sin; but now God has reconciled us through the physical death of Jesus, unleashing His resurrection power in order to make us holy and guiltless in His sight. Then Paul goes on to give us a demonstration of this power from his own life. He says that God called him and put him in the ministry to proclaim a mystery.“

• Ray C. Stedman, Adventuring Through the Bible

Colossians 1:28-29 ‘an external, yet internal, power source’: ” What does Paul mean when he talks about ‘struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me’? Well, just think about the life Paul lived and the work that he accomplished. Think of this amazing apostle, with his indefatigable journeying night and day, through shipwreck and hardship of every kind, working with his hands, enduring persecution, stonings, beatings, and opposition as he carried the gospel from one end of the Roman Empire to the other.
“Some of us think that we can barely make it from weekend to weekend in our nine to five jobs. But this man spent himself day and night, seven days a week, for the sake of Jesus Christ. He could not do that in his own strength or energy. So he plugged into an outside power source, the ultimate power source, and he allowed that power to surge through him, performing the will of God.“

• Ray C. Stedman, Adventuring Through the Bible

Colossians 1:29 ‘ascribing all power to Christ Jesus’: “Paul remembered where to put the crown; he took care not to steal an atom of the glory for himself. He ascribed all to the power of him who loved him and gave himself for him. Let us imitate the apostle in these two things. My brothers and sisters, let us live, while we live, a life of energy; but let us at the same time confess when we have done all that we are unprofitable servants. And if there is any glory, any praise resulting from the work which we achieve, let us be careful to lay it all at the Redeemer’s feet.“

• Charles H. Spurgeon, from sermon notes

My Thoughts

Paul identifies himself as an apostle, which introduces him with the authority of God in what he says.  Many of the people in Colossae have never met Paul, thus, instead of starting with himself as a bondservant, he mentions his authority to speak as an apostle.  But he quickly gets to the servant aspect before the end of this chapter.

Paul mentions in his greeting that Timothy is with him.  As usual Paul greets them with Grace and Peace.  He commends them for their faith and their hope in the Lord.  They are indeed bearing fruit as fruit is being produced throughout the region.  He commends Epaphras, their teacher, for being faithful in teaching them the true Gospel.  There is no admonition of anyone following false doctrine in this greeting.  Epaphras is mentioned three times in the Bible, here, again at the end of this book, mentioning that he is with Paul, and the last is again a mention of Epaphras being with Paul in Philemon.

The Gospel that is being preached in Colossae is the full knowledge of Jesus Christ, that Jesus paid the price for the forgiveness of sins.  The Colossians are shedding light in the darkness around them.

Paul then speaks of Jesus as the Creator.  Before all things Jesus was.  All things were created for Jesus.  This mirrors what John wrote at the beginning of his gospel.  And Paul moves forward to say that through Jesus all things are held together.  He then states that the church is one of those things that Jesus holds together, we are all reconciled through Him and His blood.

I am reminded of my uncle’s book, God’s Physical Record of Creation.  He speaks of the scientists that mocked their Christian scientist friends that the Higgs Boson was the God Particle, both God and the Higgs Boson being equally hard to find.  But as scientists learned more about this particle that was finally found in experiments at the CERN supercollider near Geneva, Switzerland, they discovered what the Higgs Boson does.  The Higgs Boson holds the nucleus of every atom together.  Otherwise, the like-charged protons would be propelled away from each other.  It turns out that the “God Particle” holds things together, but Colossians 1 states that Jesus has been holding everything together since the dawn of time.  Once again, true experimental science is showing how the Bible holds up under scrutiny.

We were once alienated from God, an enemy of God in our minds. But Jesus came to redeem us.

Then Paul identifies himself as a lowly servant of God.  He started off by speaking of being an apostle, but even apostles are servants, even unto death, for Jesus Christ their Savior.  And Paul mentions a mystery that had been held secret, but in a way, he had revealed the secret earlier in the chapter.  Paul says that the mystery is that Christ lives in them, the hope of glory.  He is speaking of the believers who get the power and strength through Christ within them, along with the hope of glory, not everyone.  But in a way, since Christ is within everything that was created, a little of Christ is even in unbelievers, although they must come to Christ to receive salvation or any of the benefits here on earth.

Christ within us means that we can rely on the power ands strength of Christ in our suffering, just as the Apostle Paul has done in his ministry.  And the glorious riches that Paul speaks of is of that strength and power due to Christ being within us.

Some Serendipitous Reflections

Colossians 1:1-14 Thanksgiving and Prayer 1. How does your intercessory prayer compare with Paul’s: (a) In intensity? (b) In thankfulness? (c) In clarity? (d) In faithfulness?
“2. How is the fruit of faith, love, and hope growing in your life: Developing well? Suffering from drought? Destroyed by the last storm? Budding? How will you help this ‘crop’ develop?
Colossians 1:15-23 The Supremacy of Christ 1. From this passage, what would you say to someone whci asked you, ‘How can I get to know God?’
“2. At times, what people (or forces) seem to be more powerful that Jesus? Why? How do you respond to the fact that even these things are under Christ’s authority?
Colossians 1:16-2:5 Paul’s Labor for the church 1. Is Paul’s stated purpose (1:28; 2:2) a reality in your life? Or are you still some­ where along the way? How far along the way are you?
“2. What ‘fine sounding arguments’ hinder you in following Jesus? How does Paul’s argument speak to your concerns?
“3. How has finding Christ been like uncovering buried treasure for you?”

• Lyman Coleman, et al, The NIV Serendipity Bible for Study Groups

Colossians 1 is divided into two sets of questions as shown, and a third set of questions applies to the last of Colossians 1 and the first five verses of Colossians 2.

Substitute whatever group for any reference to a small group or ask who could come to your aid.

If you like these Thursday morning Bible studies, but you think you missed a few, you can use this LINK. I have set up a page off the home page for links to these Thursday morning posts. I will continue to modify the page as I add more.

Soli Deo Gloria.  Only to God be the Glory.