Read Colossians 1:1-2

This is Paul's standard greeting. He opens with the name that Jesus Christ gave him after their Damascus Road meeting--Paul, not Saul. He also presents his credentials: he is an apostle ("one sent"), an emissary or ambassador endued with the authority of the king who sent him. He is an apostle of Christ Jesus (Christ is the Greek form of Messiah, meaning "anointed") not by his own choosing, but by the "will of God." He was appointed to the position. (He had wanted just such a position very badly, to the extent that he was throwing everybody in prison who threatened his precious religion, but that's another story.)

He graciously includes Timothy in the greeting, who is his secretary or gofer. Timothy is needed because Paul dictates this letter from prison in Rome during the reign of the certifiably insane Nero. (It was probably Nero who finally put Paul to death a few years later.) Despite his circumstances, Paul writes out of concern for his young churches. His own hardships give him additional authority to instruct them. (In other words, he's not writing to say, "Come save me! Get me out of this hellhole!")

Paul addresses his letter to the "saints"--the believers--ALL believers, not just the perfectly behaved--at Colossae. This was an important city in Asia Minor, in what is now Turkey. (The city was destroyed by an earthquake in A.D. 61, maybe a year, maybe a few months after Paul wrote to them. It was never rebuilt.) And he invokes God's grace and peace on them. These are not empty words. Paul blesses them with the same grace and peace that have sustained him in his imprisonment.



Read Colossians 1:3-8

Paul himself had never been to Colossae, but that church existed undoubtedly because of the work he had done in surrounding areas such as Ephesus, Miletus, and Antioch. But his fellow evangelist Epaphras has told him what's going on there, so Paul is writing in response.

The truth is, the church is being strangled by a very dangerous heresy called Gnosticism (from the Greek word for "to know"). That is, they had strayed from the facts of Christianity to embrace some weird ideas that reduced Christ to one of many beings requiring worship. Epaphras has written in a panic to tell Paul that they're losing it--and what is Paul's first response? To thank God for their faith . . . their love . . . and their hope. He is motivated by the firm conviction that they did not accept the Gospel in vain, that God will use his letter to correct the enemy's influence over their minds, and that they will be restored to reality. He expects the best of them!

His first line of attack is prayer, to invoke God's supernatural power in the situation. His second thrust is to remind them what they're striving for: heaven. This hope is apparently what brought them to believe in Jesus. And what is validating that hope? The fruit their faith is bearing! Paul reminds them that they have seen how their new life has expressed itself in their circumstances. There were those unmistakable signs--sometimes miraculous--that they were on the right track. And then Paul throws in a good word for Epaphras so they won't stone him for tattling when he returns with Paul's letter. After all, Epaphras also told him about their "love in the Spirit."



Read Colossians 1:9-14

One of the main attractions of Gnosticism was the promise of attaining knowledge and wisdom, of understanding mysteries hidden from the ignorant masses. Other religions exploited their worshipers' lust for sex, or for money, but these Greeks lusted after wisdom. It was very occultic, complete with magic rites and ascetism (experiencing pain or deprivation for the "spiritual" value of it. Enough pain or deprivation could cause hallucinations, or visions.) Paul appropriates their buzz words to apply to the Gospel: "You want wisdom? Power? Might? Well, I'll pray that God gives them to you."

But for what purpose? Here Paul draws the distinction: Wisdom that is from God enables us to live a life pleasing to Him, and equips us for heaven. But what qualifies us for heaven? The "beloved Son."



Read Colossians 1:15-23

Now Paul begins to systematically dismantle Gnosticism plank by plank. This particular heresy has so completely disappeared that scholars don't know what all it involved. But forms of it keep cropping up here and there, so God saw fit to preserve Paul's brilliant counterattack.

The Gnostics worshiped angels and other heavenly powers ("thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities"), of which they considered Christ just one, although a primary one. Nonetheless, he was one step below God, and the other powers were in descending order beneath him. According to Gnosticism, each descending level had less and less of God until you got to man, that despicable physical creature. Also according to Gnosticism, as the physical world was defiled beyond hope, ascetism was required to purify it--to detach the soul as much as possible from the flesh, because nothing good could exist in the material world, only the spiritual. A corollary of this thought system was that a good God could never inhabit corrupt flesh; therefore, Jesus was either not really God or not really human.

But Paul says, on the contrary, that Jesus in the flesh was the spitting image of God. If you want to see what God is like, look at Jesus. He is not only the firstborn of God--number one in rank--but was the driving force behind creation, including the creation of all these other powers that were worshiped by the Gnostics. (See John 1:1-3: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.") He is not only the Creator, but the Sustainer of all things, supernatural and natural. (Bonus question: Research "gluon.")

Moreover, Jesus is the "head of the body, the church"--all the redeemed of all the ages. Paul emphatically repeats in every way he can that Jesus is above every other power in creation. Not only that, but everything that makes God Who He is, God's essence, resides in Jesus so that He can bring everything in creation to its proper place. This includes the filthy natural order. And Jesus did this by His death on the cross.

Here is what that means for us (v. 21): Since Jesus died a real death in a real body, we are off the hook for making ourselves "holy and blameless and irreproachable." It's a good thing, because we can't. He does that--IF we do what we can: "continue in the faith." Not get sidetracked. Not lose hope. (See Heb. 3:13 or 10:35 or 12:12-13.) The question is not of perfection, but of desire: in the end, you get whatever you wanted badly enough. Whether you want it when you finally get it is another question. Paul finally gets a little testy, snapping in verse 23, "Everybody knows this!" Dr. Clarke (Adam Clarke, author of the Clarke's Commentary series) says that the expression "every creature under heaven" is a way of saying Jew and nonJew--everybody.



Read Colossians 1:24-29

Is Paul resorting to a little guilt trip here? Whatever works. He reminds them that he is in prison because of preaching Christ for their sake. We have to take him at his word when he says that he rejoices in his sufferings. Peter expressed the same sentiments in 1 Peter 4:12-14. These men became so close to Jesus that they were able to see His glory in their suffering. Verse 24 here does not mean that Jesus left anything undone; it infers that Paul is close to the successful completion of the course laid out for him (see 2 Tim. 4:6-8).

Then he appropriates a major Gnostic buzzword to unveil his major point: God has revealed to you a mystery hidden from all previous ages: "Christ in you, the hope of glory." It's mind-boggling. Not only did God reside fully in the man Jesus, but this Jesus is in YOU, the sinful creature; therefore--you do the math. How can you worship angels when the God of all creation resides inside you? Now that you know this, how should you act? Is it appropriate to abuse what is on loan from God? Paul says, We're warning you that that's not a good idea. We're teaching you what you should be doing, and with God's enabling, I'm doing all I can to model true wisdom for you.



Read Colossians 2:1-7

Laodicea was a nearby city, an important trade center. Paul is striving for them, and for other young believers whom he has not personally met, through prayer. He reiterates that everything Gnosticism promises is found in a relationship with Jesus, and he tells them frankly that they're being hoodwinked. Does verse 5 imply that Paul has some supernatural sight, or is it just his way of encouraging them? I don't know. Verse 6 should remind you of the Parable of the Sower.

Again, he urges them to thanksgiving. It's the key to winning any battle--the assumption that Jesus is adequate for the task.



Read Colossians 2:8-15

Paul dreaded the thought of these young believers' falling into the hands of egotistical "experts" who would fashion them into disciples of their own philosophies. What the "elemental spirits" are is a mystery. The KJV translates it as "rudiments," meaning the basic Jewish legal system. Aspects of Judaism appealed to the Gnostics, particularly circumcision. Other commentators believe that the elemental spirits are just that: other supernatural powers, either angels, demons, or lesser spirits confined to the earth (the "elements"). Regardless of what the specific distraction is, Paul reiterates that fullness of God and fullness of life meet only in Jesus.

Circumcision and baptism are both just physical symbols of a spiritual reality, performed to help us visualize the unseen truth. However, when the symbol begins to take on a mystical kind of significance, as if it had intrinsic value, it's time for the symbol to go. (See Num. 21:4-9 and then 2 Kings 18:4.) This is what had happened with circumcision. It was originally intended as a sign of utter obedience, of tenderness toward God, but the Jews had turned it into a condition of salvation. Likewise, baptism is a symbolic act of dying to the world, but you have the Church of Christ insisting that no one can be saved without it. The physical act is only an outward sign of an inward commitment, the validity of which will be seen in the choices we make each day after that. Paul insists that when we were spiritually uncircumcised and dead to boot, only His power could resurrect us. This He did thoroughly, forgiving ALL our sins.

When a criminal was executed by crucifixion, a statement of his crimes was nailed above his head as a warning to others with the same bent (see John 19:19-20). In a way, his crimes died with him. It was--and remains--the ultimate penalty. Paul says God took the indictments against us and nailed them to the cross. Our sins killed Jesus and dragged him to hell. But when He was resurrected, they were left behind. It was a brilliant, unprecedented maneuver. Just as Jesus had suffered in (apparent) impotence on the cross, so all the "principalities and powers" that had mocked and tormented Him were powerless to stop Him when He shot up out of hell, taking their prisoners to freedom in heaven (see Eph. 4:8).



Read Colossians 2:16-23.

Therefore, let no one pass judgment on you in regard to your level of commitment to church activities. These are peripherals; the main question is, am I doing what Christ told me to do? Sure, to practice all these rituals and deference has the superficial appearance of wisdom, but it's just as abhorrent to God as a limb severed from the body (v. 18). Any good actor or true psycho can back his claims with visions--look at the beginnings of the Mormon church. The litmus test of any system is: where does Christ fit in? If He's not the Head, then the system is dead and rotting. Chuck it.

The Jewish religious system of rites and ceremonies, built up over centuries, had hundreds of injunctions to damn innocent people for doing normal things (as any human system tends to do. Baptists used to forbid card-playing and Jehovah's Witnesses forbid celebrating birthdays.) Jesus railed against it; Paul railed against it; but it was popular because it required "experts" to interpret and apply. The Gnostics apparently adopted a great many of these no-no's in addition to circumcision. Paul readily admits it makes for a great show--how can you question the devotion of someone who is a slave to rules? But Paul had been one, and so could say with authority that all these hundreds of rules (which he knew better than anyone) had no value in eradicating sin! They were as bad as quack medicine: while the patient thought he was cured, the disease progressed unchecked.

Christian asceticism may very well have begun in response to Paul's own teachings, such as in 1 Corinthians 9:27: "I beat my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified." You can almost hear someone saying, "Gee, that means we need to beat ourselves up in order to be holy." So many did (and do). But if you take the verse in context, and compare it with other Scripture, you see that what he's talking about is the self-discipline of an athlete, not the self-abuse of a fanatic. When people use Scripture to justify extreme positions, watch out.



Read Colossians 3:1-4

Paul says, if the symbol of your baptism had a true spiritual counterpart--if you meant what you said--then stop being preoccupied with the physical. Fasting and self-abasement are just as physical as gorging and fornication. Both extremes focus on the body. Look up to where Christ is. Being "seated at the right hand of God" indicates both a finished work and a position of great power and honor. Get out of this temporal mindset--start thinking in terms of eternity. What lasts forever? See 2 Corinthians 4:18 and 1 Corinthians 13.

The spiritual is eternal. Dr. Paul Cho in The Fourth Dimension says that we experience the spiritual in our thought life. Therefore, Paul says set your minds on thoughts of heaven. How do we do that when we haven't even been there? But Paul says we are already there! (Eph. 2:6) We're there just as surely as if we had already died and gone to heaven. Our life--whatever in us that is precious, that we want so desperately to preserve--is hid with Christ in God. Thoroughly protected, thoroughly secure. If we want to experience heaven in our current physical condition, we have to direct our mental energies heavenward: Philippians 4:8. This DOESN'T mean we can't use our imagination--Paul gives us a wide latitude in the verse just cited. As a matter of fact, Jesus commanded us to worship God in our imagination. In Mark 12:30, which of these three--"heart," "soul," or "mind"--would not include our imagination? Again, we just have to make sure it's properly directed. Then when Christ appears, we who have held on to Him will find ourselves in the spotlight with Him (see 1 John 3:2).



Read Colossians 3:5-11

Follow me closely here. While one branch of Gnosticism advocated strict adherence to rules and self-abasement, another branch reasoned, "Hey, since matter is evil and only the spirit is good, what we do in our physical bodies won't affect our spirit one way or the other. Why fight it? Live it up!" Apparently, both extremes had found disciples in Colossae. So Paul has to pull both sides back to the narrow center: Since they are expecting to enter heaven, this earthbound behavior is inappropriate. The unredeemed act like this, and God will sweep all who do this away like trash. The Colossians, converted out of paganism, used to live like this because they were powerless not to. Before the power of God entered their lives, they had no choice but to follow the old nature. Now, they have a choice, if they will exercise it. They can put off all these noxious behaviors just like dirty clothes. Question: why is covetousness --greed --equated with idolatry?

Again Paul appropriates a major Gnostic buzzword: their new nature is being renewed in "knowledge." Knowing the right thing to do (because He told them), and doing it (by His power), transforms them daily, little by little, to look more and more like their Creator. Check out 1 John 3:2 again--see how it fits? Children grow up to look like their parents. If God is indeed your Father, you will be like Him when you grow up. Physical, social, religious barriers mean nothing at all. Jesus overcomes them all. (Some Colossians might have been shocked that barbarians and Scythians could be saved--they were the bottom of the barrel.)



Read Colossians 3:12-17

We can't live on negatives--"don't do this, don't do that"--we need positives: "Do this." And Paul covers it all here. Incidentally, "meekness" doesn't mean a shy, retiring doormat; it means teachability. Someone who can be taught. I see verses 12 through 15 as a cause and effect: if you practice these, then the peace of Christ will rule in your hearts, regardless of your circumstances. Sing. Be happy. Be thankful. Keep in mind where Paul is as he's writing this. And keep in mind that he practiced it with miraculous results (see Acts 16:19-34). But even when God chose not to deliver him, Paul practiced it. He knew the final outcome.

We're commanded to forgive. There is no life without it. If at some point you're hurt so badly that you can't do it, ask to be made willing. Eventually, the hurt will go away, and if you don't keep the offense alive by talking about it, it will die of neglect.

Forgiveness is one of the most effective weapons we have against the Enemy. Let's say that he uses someone to do something really heinous to a child of God. Then that child, by a sheer act of will, resolves to be like the Father and surmount the evil. With that resolve, the Lord acts to thwart everything the Enemy had worked so hard to accomplish. Can you imagine his frustration that such an inferior creature has such Godlike power? Of course, he will remind you over and over of the wrong; and certainly he will make sure the sting goes deep--Satan's only recourse here is to make you unwilling to exercise your power of forgiveness!

Love is the motivator behind forgiveness. It is the signature aspect of God.

The "peace of Christ" and the "word of Christ" are also aspects of His Spirit or His presence in us. Again, we control how much of Him we have by our attitude, like the opening or closing of a valve.



Read Colossians 3:18 - 4:1

You're in prison, not knowing if today will be your last day on earth. You're writing a letter to people desperately in need of your guidance. What do you tell them?

Paul focuses on the most fundamental human relationships. It is in these relationships that what you really believe comes to light. A Christian wife will swallow her pride and not demand her own way. A Christian husband will be gentle and loving. Christian children will be obedient in everything. (Or at least try to be.) Of course it's not easy--what is most valuable never comes easy.

Then Paul addresses slaves and masters. This scripture was among those used to justify slavery before the Civil War (despite 1 Cor. 7:21). The Southern Baptist denomination was formed when slave owners split with mainstream Baptists over the issue. The Southern Baptists' argument was along the lines of, "See, slavery has to be okay. Paul talks about it right here in holy Scripture."

When I was a young Christian, it took me a while to figure out that the Bible talks about a lot of things that are not okay. Just because a practice is mentioned in the Bible does not give it God's automatic approval. You have to look at the big picture, including consequences, culture, and the commentary of other Scripture.

Paul addresses slavery because it was universal in his day, as it has been through most of history. Many of the Christians he wrote to were either slaves or slave owners, and he's addressing that fact. No, it's not an ideal situation, but Paul was not called to eradicate economic slavery, he was called to eradicate spiritual slavery. But when he could, he did spring a few--see Philemon. Ironically, the advice he gives here is heartily applicable today. Just substitute "employees" for "slaves" and "bosses" for "masters."



Read Colossians 4:2-6

Why do we need to be watchful in prayer with thanksgiving? To recognize answers when they come! We'll miss so much if we're not paying attention--especially God's sly sense of humor.

Paul asks for prayer to make the mystery of Christ clear. I think he knew his tendency to get convoluted. Or, since the mystery of Christ is incomprehensible without the illumination of the Spirit, perhaps he was asking for support there. At any rate, here was something they could do to help him.

Knowing how you should answer everyone does not require a canned presentation. It means you should know what you believe and why. It means you should be consistent in what you do, to give credibility to what you say.



Read Colossians 4:7-18

Here are Paul's acknowledgments. Tychicus was the messenger who also delivered the letter to the Ephesians. Onesimus was the runaway slave belonging to Philemon. Paul had sent him back to his master with a gentle command to forgive him, accept him as a Christian brother, and return him to Paul, who needed him while in prison.

Aristarchus was from Thessalonica. He traveled extensively with Paul, and was with him during the riot in Ephesus (see Acts 19:23-41). He might have posed as Paul's personal attendant, and so kept getting himself arrested with him. Mark, the cousin of Barnabas, was the author of the Gospel of Mark. He was young, and defected on an early missionary journey with Paul. When Barnabas wanted to take Mark along on another journey, Paul refused. This caused a rift between the two--Barnabas took Mark and Paul took Silas. Mark also spent time with Peter, from whom he got the information for his Gospel. Mark eventually proved himself so reliable that Paul accepted him again. "Men of the circumcision" were Jewish Christians. Epaphras was a fellow prisoner--a Christian's hard work in that time and place guaranteed him jail time.

Luke the beloved physician was also a superior historian, being the author of the Gospel of Luke and Acts. I have read the comment that if the same level of historical data Luke supplies was required of other figures, then the likes of Julius Caesar would fade into legend. Demas later deserted Paul (2 Tim. 4:10).

Paul could not have been anti-women (as he has been accused) when he acknowledges them so freely, as here. Obviously, early Christians met in homes. No building fund required. We don't have the letter to Laodicea, but the church is mentioned in Revelation as having become complacent in their wealth and ease (Rev. 3:14-18). Archippus was a relative of Philemon, possibly his son. Paul singles him out for a very special word of encouragement.

Paul closes his letter by writing the last few sentences with his own hand. It was his mark of authentication when a lot of forgeries were floating around. "Remember my fetters"--chains--is not intended as a guilt trip. It is a vivid reminder of the cost of discipleship. When Satan is affronted enough, spiritual warfare can turn physically bloody--see Hebrews 12:3-4.

Having done all that he could do, and said all there was to say, Paul leaves them in the grace of God.



© 2002 Robin Hardy


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