1
Introduction to Colossians
Ancient Colossae was located 100 miles inland to the east of Ephesus in the region of Phrygia, in modern-day Turkey. It was located along the Lycus River valley near two other sister cities, Laodicea to the east and Hierapolis to the north, the three cities forming a triangle.
Colossians is one of Paul’s four prison letters, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. They are called the prison letters because Paul wrote them at the same time during his house arrest in Rome between AD 60 and 62.
Epaphras, from Colossae, planted the Colossian church after he was converted by the Holy Spirit through Paul in Ephesus. During his third missionary journey, Paul ministered in Ephesus for three-and-a-half years. However, Paul had not visited Colossae.
Epaphras reported to Paul that the Colossian Christians were under the deception of heretical doctrines peddled by the early Gnostics. Paul wrote this epistle to refute these false doctrines, emphasizing the Deity of Jesus Christ in order to bring the people back to the right track.
Greek for ‘gnostic’ is ‘gnosis,’ which means knowledge. Gnostics denied the Deity and incarnation of Christ. They considered Jesus Christ to be a created archangel on the same level as the archangel Michael. They believed that there is a divine hierarchy of angelic beings above the angels. They believed that source of these angelic beings, called ‘aeons’, is the ‘pleroma.’ The Gnostics also worshiped and prayed to angels.
Colossians 1:1–2
Verses 1–2, 1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 to the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Reflection
Paul considered himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God. Paul’s protégé, and spiritual godson in the faith was Timothy. The Greek word for Timothy is ‘Timotheos,’ which means honoured by God. Timothy came from Lystra. His mother was a Jewish Christian, and his father was a Greek.
Paul recruited Timothy from Lystra during his second missionary journey. The young man was the recipient of Paul’s Epistles, 1 and 2 Timothy. According to Christian tradition, Timothy became the first bishop of Ephesus.
Paul addressed the Christians in Colossae, and us, as saints and faithful brothers and sisters. The Greek word for saint is ‘hagios,’ which means holy or consecrated. Christians are holy and consecrated to God. Christians are brothers and sisters in the Kingdom of God who are faithful to Jesus Christ.
Paul pronounced a blessing of grace and peace to the Colossian Christians and to us. Grace is the common Greek greeting ‘charis’ and peace is the common Hebrews greeting, ‘Shalom.’
Grace always precedes peace. When we are justified by grace through faith in Christ, our sins are forgiven by God. Justified means that God considered us just as if we had no sin. We are reconciled to God, and no longer face the wrath of God. Justification results in triple peace, peace of God, peace from God and peace with God.
Romans 5:1, Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
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2
Paul’s Prayer
Colossians 1:3–14
Verses 3–8, 3 We give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love which you have toward all the saints, 5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the Good News 6 which has come to you, even as it is in all the world and is bearing fruit and growing, as it does in you also, since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth, 7 even as you learned of Epaphras our beloved fellow servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on your behalf, 8 who also declared to us your love in the Spirit.
Reflection
Paul prayed for the Colossian Christians, thanking God, the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ for them. Paul commended them for their faithfulness in Christ, love for the saints (Christians), fruitfulness, spiritual growth, and hope in the promise of Heaven.
They were receptive when they heard about the grace of God, and the truth of the Gospel from Epaphras. Paul addressed Epaphras as his dear faithful servant and a faithful minister of Christ.
Verses 9–14, 9 For this cause, we also, since the day we heard this, don’t cease praying and making requests for you, that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 that you may walk worthily of the Lord, to please him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God, 11 strengthened with all power, according to the might of his glory, for all endurance and perseverance with joy, 12 giving thanks to the Father, who made us fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light, 13 who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the Kingdom of the Son of his love, 14 in whom we have our redemption, the forgiveness of our sins.
Reflection
Paul prayed fervently, continuously and persistently for the Colossian Christians. He prayed for them to have knowledge, wisdom, spiritual understanding of the truth, ability to discern God’s will, and to conduct themselves worthy of their calling.
He prayed for them to be fruitful Christians, empowered by the Holy Spirit, with patience, long suffering, and joy. He thanked God the Father for their partnership with him in the Gospel. He thanked God for delivering them from the darkness of the world into the light and love of Jesus Christ’s kingdom, in whom they were redeemed and forgiven for their previous sins.
Application
Paul was a prayer warrior. He prayed for the Colossians Christians unceasingly, every day and night although he was incarcerated by Nero, under house arrest, and awaiting trials. Even though his future was hanging in the balance, he still thought about the welfare of others.
He did not blame the Lord for his suffering, persecution, and difficulties. He even considered himself as a prisoner of Christ and not Nero. He knew that it was Christ who put him into prison to carry out His will and to share the Gospel.
Let us imitate Paul just as he also imitated Christ. Let us train ourselves to become prayer warriors to intercede for our family, church, pastors, co-workers, and every one of our contacts.
Prayer and the Word of God is the Sword of the Spirit. We need to learn how to use this weapon effectively to fight the spiritual battle and to bring down spiritual strongholds.
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3
Image of the Invisible God
Colossians 1:15–18
Verse 15, 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
The Greek word for ‘image’ is ‘eikon,’ which means exact representation. Jesus Christ is the exact representation of the invisible Godhead. The Greek word for ‘firstborn’ is ‘prototokos,’ which means first in eminence or first in rank, not first to be created or first to be born.
Jesus Christ is not a created being. He is the pre-existent, self-existent, and eternal God. He existed from eternity past to eternity future. God, the Father is invisible and no human being can see Him, but Jesus is God in the flesh. Jesus is the exegesis of God, John 1:18. To see Jesus is to see God.
Hebrews 1:3a (NIV), The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.
John 1:18, No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.
The Greek word for ‘declared’ is ‘exegiomi,’ which means to exegete.
Verse 16, 16 For by him all things were created in the heavens and on the earth, visible things and invisible things, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things have been created through him and for him.
Reflection
Jesus Christ is God’s agent in creation. He is the creator of all things, including the things on earth and in Heaven, visible or invisible, physical or spiritual. Thrones, dominions, principalities, powers, and spiritual wickedness in high places, refer to the hierarchy of Satan’s evil spirits.
All things are created for Jesus and by Jesus. Jesus is Deity. He not a created being, and not the highest archangel, as proposed the Gnostics.
John 1:3, All things were made through Him, and without Him, nothing was made that was made.
Hebrews 1:2 (NIV), but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.
Verse 17, 17 He is before all things, and in him all things are held together.
Reflection
Jesus Christ is before all things, pre-existent, self-existent, eternal, before time, before space, and before matter. He holds everything together from the largest stars and planets in the galaxies to the tiniest atoms, protons, and electrons, from the largest mammals to the tiniest one-cell amoeba.
John 1:1–2 (NIV), In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.
Verse 18, 18 He is the head of the body, the assembly, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he might have the preeminence.
Reflection
Jesus Christ is the head, the church is the body, and Christians are individual members of the body joined dynamically into a living organism. The Greek word for ‘beginning,’ is ‘arche,’ which means origin. The Greek word for ‘preeminent’ is ‘proteuo,’ which means to be first in rank.
Jesus Christ is the first to be resurrected from the dead, and Paul refuted the Gnostic teachings that Jesus is merely an archangel created by God.
Application
Jesus Christ is the exact image of the invisible God. If you want to see God, all you need to do is to look at Jesus Christ through lens of the Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John in the Gospels of the New Testament. Here, you have four portraits of Jesus from four different perspectives written by four different Evangelists.
If you want to know God, all you need to do is to get to know the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the exegesis of the invisible God.
Study the Gospels and get to know the Jesus Christ. Your life will never be the same!
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4 The Deity of Christ
Colossians 1:19–23
Verses 19–20, 19 For all the fullness was pleased to dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile all things to himself by him, whether things on the earth or things in the heavens, having made peace through the blood of his cross.
Reflection
The Father is pleased that all the fullness of the Godhead is in Jesus Christ in a bodily form. Jesus is the embodiment of God, the incarnate God in a human body. Jesus reconciled all things to God, through the redemption of His blood. All things include things on earth, in heaven, visible, invisible, physical and spiritual things.
Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man. This is to refute the teachings of Gnostics, who claimed that Jesus was only a man and not God. Even today, there are cults who refute the Deity of Christ.
Romans 5:1, Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Verses 21–22, 21 You, being in past times alienated and enemies in your mind in your evil deeds, 22 yet now he has reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without defect and blameless before him.
Reflection
The Greek word for ‘alienated’ is ‘apallotrioo,’ which means estranged. Paul reminded his audience, and us, that we who were once estranged and enemies of God have been reconciled to God through the death of Christ, who presented us holy and blameless before God.
Romans 5:1–2, Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Jude 1:24, Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless, before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.
Verse 23, 23 if it is so that you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the Good News which you heard, which is being proclaimed in all creation under heaven, of which I, Paul, was made a servant.
Reflection
Paul encouraged his audience, and us, to be faithful, grounded, and steadfast in the Gospel, which Paul had preached to the whole world as a minister. As mentioned earlier, the Greek word for ‘minister’ is ‘diakonos,’ which means servant, teacher, or pastor.
Application
Once, we were enemies of God and faced the wrath of God in judgement. Now, we are reconciled to God, through justification by faith in Christ by the grace of God.
Now, we received triple peace, peace with God, peace from God and peace with God. When we are justified, God considered us just as if we have not sinned.
Jesus Christ presents us holy, faultless, blameless and pleasing before the presence of the glory of God with exceeding joy.
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5
Mystery of God Revealed
Colossians 1:24–29
Verses 24–25, 24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and fill up on my part that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the assembly, 25 of which I was made a servant according to the stewardship of God which was given me toward you to fulfill the word of God.
Reflection
Despite going through so much sufferings and afflictions, Paul rejoiced in the Lord. He suffered tremendously from shipwrecks, persecutions, mobbed, stoned, beaten with rods by the hostile Jews, and imprisoned in Rome for the sake of the church, the body of Christ. Paul was chosen by Christ to be a minister of the Gospel according to the will and Word of God.
Verses 26–27, 26 the mystery which has been hidden for ages and generations. But now it has been revealed to his saints, 27 to whom God was pleased 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.
Reflection
The Greek word for ‘mystery’ is ‘mysterion,’ which means hidden or secret doctrine. The secret of God, hidden from previous generations, is now revealed to all Christians. The mystery is God’s revelation of the Gospel to the Gentiles, salvation and justification by grace through faith in Christ. The Gospel, which was for the Jews first had now come to the Gentiles.
Verses 28–29, 28 We proclaim him, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus; 29 for which I also labor, striving according to his working, which works in me mightily.
Reflection
As a minister of God, Paul preached and taught the perfect wisdom of Jesus Christ to every man according to His will through the mighty power of the Holy Spirit.
Application
Paul rejoiced in the face of suffering. Joy is different from happiness. Happiness is transient and is according to life’s circumstances. Joy is permanent and not dependent on life’s circumstances. No matter what life throws at you, you can still rejoice and be joyful if you are in the will of God and serving Him in the Kingdom
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6
Put Away Philosophy
Colossians chapter 1 is about doctrinal teachings. Colossians chapters 2 to 4 is about practical applications on Christian living.
Colossians 2:1–10
Verses 1–3, 1 For I desire to have you know how greatly I struggle for you, and for those at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; 2 that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and gaining all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, 3 in whom all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden.
Reflection
The Greek word for ‘struggle’ is ‘agon,’ which means to be anxious or worried. Paul had never met the Colossian and Laodicean Christians. He had a burden for them due to the heretical teachings of the Gnostic preachers. He prayed for them to be encouraged, united in love, educated in the Gospel, wise and knowledgeable in the mystery of the Father and Jesus Christ.
Verses 4–5, 4 Now I say this that no one may delude you with persuasiveness of speech. 5 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in the spirit, rejoicing and seeing your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.
Reflection
Paul warned his audience, and us, against deception from the teachings of the Gnostic preachers. Even though he was absent with them in the body, yet he was present with them in spirit. The Greek word for ‘steadfast’ is ‘hedraios,’ which means unshakable or solid. Paul rejoiced when he heard about their unshakable faith in Christ.
Verses 6–7, 6 As therefore you received Christ Jesus, the Lord, walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, even as you were taught, abounding in it in thanksgiving.
Reflection
Paul encouraged his audience, and us, to walk with Christ, rooted in the word, built up in knowledge, and established in the faith, with a thankful heart.
Verses 8–10, 8 Be careful that you don’t let anyone rob you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the elements of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him all the fullness of the Deity dwells bodily, 10 and in him you are made full, who is the head of all principality and power.
Reflection
Paul warned his audience, and us, against the erroneous teachings of philosophy, and the man-made traditions of the world. We should hold fast to the teachings of Christ because He is the second person of the Godhead.
The Greek word for ‘head’ is ‘kephale,’ which means to rule supreme. We are complete in Christ, who rules supreme over all principalities, powers, thrones, rulers, authorities, and spiritual wickedness in the high places.
Application
Beware and be able to discern false teachers. They are like wolves in sheepskins. Be grounded in the word of God so that false teachers cannot deceive you. Walk closely and faithfully to the Lord. Do not follow the philosophy of the world. Follow the worldview of the Bible. Do not let the world squeeze you into its mould, but be transformed and renewed in your hearts and minds.
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7
Put Away Legalism
Colossians 2:11–23
Verses 11–14, 11 In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the sins of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 You were dead through your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh. He made you alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 wiping out the handwriting in ordinances which was against us. He has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross.
Reflection
True baptism is an inner spiritual transformation of heart attitude by the Holy Spirit. True circumcision is putting away the desires of the flesh, putting on Christ, and walking in the Holy Spirit. True circumcision is the circumcision of the heart, not of the flesh. Here, Paul was speaking spiritually and not naturally.
Our old self is buried with Christ in water baptism. When we emerge out from the water of baptism, we are raised to a new spiritual life by the resurrection power of Christ which raised Jesus from the dead. The old has gone, and the new is here.
We who were once dead in sin are now alive in Christ. We are justified by faith in Christ. Our sins are forgiven by the grace of God and we are saved.
Romans 2:28–29a, For, a person is not a Jew who is one outwardly, and true circumcision is not something visible in the flesh. On the contrary, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart, by the Spirit, not the letter.
Verses 15–17, 15 Having stripped the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. 16 Let no one therefore judge you in eating, or in drinking, or with respect to a feast day or a new moon or a Sabbath day, 17 which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ’s.
Reflection
Jesus Christ had triumphed over all the satanic principalities, powers, thrones, rulers, authorities, and spiritual wickedness in high places. Paul encouraged his audience, and us, not to be judged by others, and not to judge others, over eating and drinking and observing special feast days, new moon, or Sabbath.
Now that we are free from law keeping, we should not go back to the law and become legalistic all over again. Having died to self, and being made alive in Christ, we are freed from the law. We were once slaves to the law, but Christ had redeemed us from the slave market of sin, and we became slaves to Christ, our new master.
Verse 18, 18 Let no one rob you of your prize by self-abasement and worshiping of the angels, dwelling in the things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.
Reflection
Paul encouraged his audience, and us, not to follow the teachings of Gnosticism in the worship of angels. Angelic worship is not biblical. We must only worship the Triune God of the Bible.
Verse 19, 19 and not holding firmly to the Head, from whom all the body, being supplied and knit together through the joints and ligaments, grows with God’s growth.
Reflection
Paul encouraged his audience, and us, to hold fast to the teachings of Jesus Christ, who is the head of the body, the church. By this metaphor, Christians are individual components of the church body joined together into one united, living organism.
Verses 20–23, 20 If you died with Christ from the elements of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to ordinances, 21 “Don’t handle, nor taste, nor touch” 22 (all of which perish with use), according to the precepts and doctrines of men? 23 These things indeed appear like wisdom in self-imposed worship, humility, and severity to the body; but aren’t of any value against the indulgence of the flesh.
Reflection
Paul told his audience, and us, that having died to Christ, we are now freed from the demands of the law. We must not follow man-made traditions, rulings, doctrines, and regulations. We must not follow the wisdom of worldly philosophy and man-made religion. These are of no spiritual value in the Kingdom of God.
Application
True circumcision is of the heart. There should be a change in heart attitude to follow Christ and not the flesh. True circumcision is the cutting way of the fleshly nature and desires of the heart from the spirit man.
The flesh and the spirit are in enmity with each other. This battle goes on and on, each wanting to take dominance over the other. Unless the flesh is cut off from the spirit, the spirit man will be weak. This battle can only be won by the sanctification power of the Holy Spirit who lives in us, Galatians 5:16-18.
Galatians 5:16-18, So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Salvation is by grace and not through law keeping or work righteousness. There is no place for legalism in the Kingdom of God because we are saved by grace through faith in Christ, Ephesians 2:8-9.
Ephesians 2:8-9, For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.
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8
Put Away Carnality
Colossians 3:1–11
Verses 1-4, 1 If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, our life, is revealed, then you will also be revealed with him in glory.
Reflection
At baptism, our old self is buried and died with Christ. When we emerge from the water of baptism, we are raised to new lives in Christ. Paul encouraged his audience, and us, to seek heavenly, and not earthly, things. Our life is now hidden with Christ until His Second Coming, when we will appear with Him in glory.
Verses 5-7, 5 Put to death therefore your members which are on the earth: sexual immorality, uncleanness, depraved passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 For these things’ sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience. 7 You also once walked in those, when you lived in them.
Reflection
We must put away all the desires and lusts of the flesh that are listed in verse 5. These works of the flesh will invoke the wrath of God upon us. We, who were once the sons of disobedience to sin, are now the sons of obedience to Christ.
Verses 8-10, 8 but now you also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth. 9 Don’t lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his doings, 10 and have put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge after the image of his Creator.
Reflection
We must put away all the works of the flesh that are listed in verses 8 and 9, anger, wrath, malice, slander, and filthy language. Instead, we must put off the old man of the flesh, and put on the new man in Christ. We must put on the fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, Galatians 5:22-26.
Galatians 5:22-26, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Verse 11, 11 where there can’t be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondservant, or free person; but Christ is all, and in all.
Reflection
Christianity is ethnically, racially, socially, politically, and economically blind. In Christianity, there is no distinguishing between Jews or Gentiles, circumcised or uncircumcised, Greeks or non-Greeks, male or female, slaves or masters, and so on. All Christian is equal in the eyes of God, and are all children in the family of God.
Application
In the Christian walk of faith, we must die to self and be alive to Christ.
There is a spiritual war between the old nature of the flesh and the new nature of the spirit. This war must be won before we can see any breakthrough in our spiritual life.
Call upon the Holy Spirit to overcome this battle of the flesh. The battle belongs to the Lord and He will fight for you but you must surrender your life to Him.
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9
Put on Love
Colossians 3:12-17
Verses 12-13, 12 Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do.
Reflection
Paul addressed his audience, and us, as God’s elected, holy and beloved ones. Christians are chosen by God before the beginning of time by divine election. Christians are holy, sanctified, separated for God, and loved by God.
Paul encouraged his audience, and us, to put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, long suffering, burden-bearing, and generosity in giving. Since Christ forgave us, we should also forgive each other.
Ephesians 1:4, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.
2 Thessalonians 2:13-14, But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through justification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Verses 14-15, 14 Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body, and be thankful.
Reflection
Paul encouraged his audience, and us, to walk in love by loving each other and allowing the peace of God to rule in our hearts.
Christ is the head, the church is the body, and Christians are individual members of the church knitted together in the bond of unity.
In verses 12-15, Paul listed out the virtues of the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Verse 16,16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord.
Reflection
Paul encouraged his audience, and us, to saturate ourselves with the wisdom and knowledge of the word of God.
Paul encouraged his audience, and us, to admonish one another by singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God with graceful hearts.
Verse 17, 17 Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father, through him.
Reflection
Paul encouraged his audience, and us, to do all things, whether by word or action, to glorify God, in the name of the Lord Jesus. We must acknowledge, glorify, and thank God through Christ, and must not take any credit for ourselves.
1 Corinthians 10:31, Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Application
Love each other just as Christ loved us, and gave Himself for us. The prerequisite of a good Christian is to love Christ and the people who belonged to Him. In the upper room discourse, Christ gave us a new commandment of love, so that others (non-Christians) will know that we are His disciples, John 13:34-35.
John 13:34-35 (NIV), A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
The Christian dynamic of love has a vertical and a horizontal dimension. We must love the Lord vertically, and love others horizontally.
Saturate yourselves with the word of God, and encouraged others by prayer and singing spiritual songs, psalms, and hymns.
Put in the best effort in all that you do because you are doing it for Christ. In the miracle of the feeding of the 5000, the mother who packed the lunch box for her son that day, was actually packing the lunch box for Jesus!
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10
Instructions for the Family
Colossians 3:18-25
In this section, Paul gave specific instructions to wives, husbands, fathers, children, employers, and employees.
Verses 18-19, 18 Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and don’t be bitter against them.
Reflection
Wives should submit to their husbands, just as husbands should submit to Christ, because Christ is the head of the husband, and the husband is the head of the wife. Husbands should love their wives just as Christ loved the church and gave His life for her, Ephesians 5:22-26.
Ephesians 5:22-26, Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word.
Verses 20-21, 20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, don’t provoke your children, so that they won’t be discouraged.
Reflection
Children should obey their parents as this is a commandment with a promise of long life, Exodus 20:12. Fathers should not provoke their children to anger, but to train them up in the ways of the Lord, Ephesians 6:1-4.
Ephesians 6:1-4, Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”-which is the first commandment with a promise, “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Fathers do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
Exodus 20:12, Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.
Verses 22-25, 22 Servants, obey in all things those who are your masters according to the flesh, not just when they are looking, as men pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God. 23 And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for 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 receive again for the wrong that he has done, and there is no partiality.
Reflection
Since, we do not have slaves and masters today, it is appropriate to substitute employees for slaves and employers for masters.
Employees should obey their earthly employer with a sincere heart with a reverence for God. Our heavenly Master, Jesus Christ, will reward us for all the good deeds that we do for our earthly employer, Ephesians 6:5-8.
We should put in our best effort in whatever we do for our employer because we are doing them for glory of the Lord.
God will judge and punish us for whatever wrong deeds we commit toward our earthly employer.
Ephesians 6:5-8, Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.
Application
The Biblical pattern of submission is husbands to Christ, and wives to their husbands.
The wife’s duty is to submit to her husband. The husband’s duty is to love his wife sacrificially, in the same way as Christ loved His church.
The children’s duty is to obey their parent. The father’s duty is not to exasperate his children but to train them lovingly in Godly living.
The employees’ duty is to obey their employer. The employer’s duty is to be fair to the employees, and not to exploit them.
If you are a wife, husband, children, parent, father, employee, or employer, these are the Biblical instructions that you should follow.
11
Redeem the Time
Colossians 4:1-6
Verse 1, 1 Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
Reflection
Just as employees should respect their employers, employers should also treat their employees with fairness, for they are accountable to God in heaven for what they do on earth, Ephesians
6:9.
Ephesians 6:9, And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.
Verses 2-4, 2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving, 3 praying together for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds, 4 that I may reveal it as I ought to speak.
Reflection
Paul encouraged his audience, and us, to pray earnestly and thankfully to God. Paul requested his audience to pray that God would open doors for him to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles even when in the prison.
As mentioned earlier, Greek for ‘mystery’ is ‘mysterion,’ which means a hidden or secret doctrine. The mystery of Christ is the Gospel message of salvation and justification to the Gentiles by grace through faith in Christ.
Verses 5-6, 5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
Reflection
Greek for ‘redeem’ is ‘apolytroo,’ which means to buy back or repurchase.
Paul encouraged his audience, and us, to share the Gospel to non-believers, and to redeem the time wasted through nonproductivity, laziness, or procrastination, Ephesians 5:15-16.
Paul encouraged his audience, and us, to speak to non- believers, and address their questions with grace and wisdom.
Ephesians 5:15-16, See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Application
Time is short and precious. We should share the Gospel when we are still able to do so. We should redeem the time that we have wasted by sharing the Gospel immediately.
Do not procrastinate any longer. Yesterday is gone from us forever. Today is the time to share the Gospel with non-believers for tomorrow may be too late.
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12
Greetings
Colossians 4:7-15
Verses 7-9, 7 All my affairs will be made known to you by Tychicus, the beloved brother, faithful servant, and fellow bondservant in the Lord. 8 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, 9 together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you everything that is going on here.
Reflection
Paul was a gracious leader. He was a team player and had many co-workers. Paul addressed Tychicus as a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant of Christ. Paul addressed Onesimus as a faithful and beloved brother in Christ who belonged to them. Paul would be sending Tychicus and Onesimus to the Colossian church to update them about his life under house arrest in Rome.
Verses 10-11, 10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you received commandments, “if he comes to you, receive him”), 11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for God’s Kingdom who are of the circumcision, men who have been a comfort to me.
Reflection
Paul acknowledged people by name and sent greetings from Aristarchus, a fellow prisoner, John Mark, the cousin of Barnabas, and Justus. These Jewish believers were Paul’s co-workers in the Kingdom of God.
Verses 12-13, 12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. 13 For I testify about him that he has great zeal for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis.
Reflection
Paul acknowledged Epaphras, a minister of Christ from Colossae, by name and conveyed greetings from him. Epaphras was a zealous prayer warrior who interceded for the churches in Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis.
Verses 14-15, 14 Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you. 15 Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the assembly that is in his house.
Reflection
Paul acknowledged Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, who sent greetings to the Christian brothers of Colossae, Laodicea, Nymphas, and members of his house church.
Application
No man is an island. Christian ministry is a team effort.
Paul spelled out the qualities of a good leader:
A good leader needs the support of his/her team of co-workers.
A good leader does not take all the credit for himself/herself, but share them with the team.
A good leader acknowledged his/her co-workers, and praised them for their effort and contribution.
A good leader addressed his/her co-workers by name.
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13
Closing Salutation
Colossians 4:16-18
Verse 16, 16When this letter has been read among you, cause it to be read also in the assembly of the Laodiceans, and that you also read the letter from Laodicea.
Reflection
Paul instructed the Epistle of Colossians to be read out to the house churches in Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis.
Verse 17, 17 Tell Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it.”
Reflection
Paul sent greetings to Archippus, a leader of the Colossians house church. Scholars believed that Archippus was a son of Philemon and Apphia, Philemon 1:2.
Philemon 1:2, And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in thy house.
Verse 18, 18 The salutation of me, Paul, with my own hand: remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.
Reflection
Paul wrote this Epistle from prison (house arrest) in Rome. He probably only hand wrote the closing salutation. Scholars believed that Paul dictated the rest of the letter to an amanuensis (secretary) who wrote it on Paul’s behalf.
Finally, Paul pronounced a blessing of grace to his audience and to us.
Application
Colossians is a circular letter written to the house churches in Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis. This profound letter transcends time.
It is applicable to Christians down the generations including us, who are reading it 2000 years later.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love, mercy, grace, loving kindness, and faithfulness to us. Thank You for forgiveness of sins, justification, sanctification, salvation, and eternal life. Thank You for the Epistle of Colossians. Help us understand and apply the teachings of the great Apostle Paul, In Jesus’ name, Amen.