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COLOSSIANS The following comments are from Navigator's and Quiet Time Diary journals. One verse will be entered, then the comment, then the date. 1:1, 2 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,
and Timothy our brother, This letter is written by Paul with his brother in Christ,
Timothy. 1:3, 4 We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints; This is near the beginning of Paul's letter to the church
in Colosse and it tells us of his concern and compassion for the church. Just
like we are to do, Paul was praying for the protection and growth of other
believers. 1:5 . . . because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel. To think of "hope," usually I think of something that I do and pray that the Lord will grant. Here it seems to indicate that the angels and residents in heaven are hoping for our welfare and success - which is opposite what we are doing. It's nice to know that we are being thought of on the "other side." (DRM 7/26/09) 1:6 (faith and love) which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understand the grace of God in truth; This is the beginning of the book to the Colossae church. Paul knew these people and knew the good works they were doing in the name of Jesus. This is an encouragement verse like 'keep on keeping on' and helps me to know the priorities of God and Christ. (DRM 10/8/2000) 1:7 just as you learned it [the gospel truth] from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, Paul and Timothy were brothers in the Lord (v.1), and were what we call "iterant preachers." In this verse the name of Epaphras is added. God has called each of us to do a specific job for Him. These three people heard His call - and acted on it! (DRM 8/6/06) 1:8 . . . and he also informed us of your love in the Spirit. This is the final verse in a six verse sentence/paragraph.
I should have kept it with verse seven. 1:9 For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding, This refers to intercessory prayer. Paul didn't pray just
for his own well being, but also for the needs of others. We all have different
needs and sharing those needs to close Christian friends helps them to pray for
your specific needs to the Father God and Son; Jesus. [Re: 1:9b] As I continue to read the Bible, I always ask for understanding of what I am reading. By continuing my readings, I pray that I will be a better witness to His glory and be able to share His word with others. (DRM 12/3/86) Paul's prayer on behalf of the Colossians (1:9-14) is a rich model of intercessory prayer. It is a consistent, ongoing petition on their behalf for the wisdom, grace, knowledge, strength, and maturity to live for Christ effectively in a broken world. (Bill Crowder, Our Daily Bread) 1:10 . . . so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; . . . This is part of a four verse sentence concerning the knowledge of the will of God. Paul is stating/praying that the believers in the "church" will continue to grow in faith and share their faith by good works. The other verses in this sentence list other things that the believers should be doing. (DRM 7/27/09) This is part of a four verse sentence. Paul was pleased
with the faith of the people in the church in Colosse (v. 4) and was praying
they would grow in their faith (v. 9). 1:11, 12 . . . strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. Paul wrote this as part of a description of the church in
Colossae. 1:13,14 For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved son, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. What happened that January day in 1986? Jesus changed my heart and also did all of the things in these two verses. I can never stop thanking Him for the greatest gift of all! (DRM 10/9/2000) What did we (I) do to cause God to deliver us from Satan's kingdom to His own? Nothing! It's hard for people today to accept the free gift. They want to buy it with good works or money. The big mystery to me is how He chose me - but I'll be eternally thankful that He did. (DRM 8/7/06) 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. What does God look like? We don't know - but here Paul states that Jesus looked just like Him - or that Jesus was a physical manifestation of God. Still, since there was no photography at that time, we don't know FOR SURE what Jesus looked like either. Even though I've never seen Jesus or God, I have faith that They exist based on events and answered prayers. (DRM 7/28/09) 1:16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on the earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities - all things have been created by Him and for Him. This description of Jesus Christ seems so clear to me - He's God! But really He's 1/3 of the Trinity which is harder to explain to non-believers. No matter how you say it . . . Jesus Christ is God. (DRM 10/10/2000) There are so many different things that Jesus made with
His Father. He created all the angels, the entire universe - which we see as
stars, all the birds and animals in the oceans - with amazing variety, and the
materials to build all kinds of buildings. He created every cell in our body and
made each of us different with different talents. He knew who would rule over us
in this world and the next . . .and, to think, He has been working on New
Jerusalem for a long time! 1:17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. Jesus was the first born of all creation (v. 15). He was
the Creator of the earth and all that is in it (v. 16). With this knowledge,
Paul adds the logical statement in this verse. 1:18 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the first-born from the dead; so that He Himself might come to have first place in everything. This is part of a description of Jesus. There seems to be no limit to His power or authority. Jesus is God. Knowing that, it's amazing that He loves me, and that I'll meet Him someday in Heaven. (DRM 8/8/06) 1:19 For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, God's first creation was not Adam, but rather Jesus (v.
15). Jesus was with God when He created the heavens and the earth ( v. 16). Some skeptics have cited Colossians 1:15 to argue for Jesus being a created being: "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation." But in the Jewish mind "firstborn" did not primarily refer to birth order. Instead, it meant the preeminence of the firstborn male over the family property. Clearly, Paul is emphasizing the preeminence of Christ. (INSIGHT Our Daily Bread 5/17/14) I don't think I'm a skeptic, but am open to whatever God says. The translation could have changed the meaning. The important part is to trust in the Lord. He knows the answer. (DRM 5/23/14) 1:20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. The word atonement comes to my mind here. This is a reminder that Jesus came to be a substitution for our sins, but only at great cost - His death. Praise God for His gift of His Son Jesus Christ! (DRM 10/11/2000) 1:21 And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, This is the beginning of a three verse paragraph referring
to what Jesus has done for us. (v. 22) so long as we continue in the faith (v.
23). 1:22 yet He [Jesus] has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him [God] holy and blameless and beyond reproach - This is another reminder of what Christ did for us by dying on the cross. His substitutionary death for us is the ONLY way to Heaven. (DRM 10/12/2000) This is probably the most important part of the gospel message. If Jesus died and wasn't resurrected, our faith would be dead. But He came back and still is alive - which shows His acceptance by God to be a substitute for our sins. Only Jesus can do this. (DRM 8/10/06) 1:23 . . . if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister. The previous verse (22) reminds us how Jesus saved us
through His death to be our substitution. This verse seems to indicate that we
(I) must continue in the faith continuously from the moment of conversion. 1:24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions. Paul had a lot of suffering for sharing the gospel in
various places. Among other things, I know he was beaten several times,
imprisoned and had little food at times. He had bad eyesight also. 1:25 Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, Paul knew his "mission" as he stated here. As I read the Bible over and over, I believe that all Christians should have the same mission as Paul had, but they ignore it. God willing, I will do better than average. (DRM 10/13/2000) 1:26 . . . that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, This is the middle part of a three verse sentence (vv.
25-27). 1:27 to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. This sentence begins in verse 25. Paul is referring to himself as a minister to the body of Christ. Like Paul, God has shown us more and more of His plans (this mystery) as time has progressed. This is a reason for hope - as we can see the final conclusion - apparently coming very soon. (DRM 8/11/06) 1:28 We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. As I just printed the verse above, I noticed that the term
"every man" is in this verse three times. It seems that the Lord, through Paul,
wants to remind us that He wants every man (humankind) to hear the gospel. Paul and his associates had a mission that Jesus gave them
- to teach and preach to "every man" - which also includes women, I'm sure. 1:29 For this purpose also I [Paul] labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me. This purpose, to proclaim Him (v. 28), was Paul's purpose
in life after conversion. The Holy Spirit filled him and worked within him to
grow in knowledge and directed him on what to say, where to go, and what he
should do next. 2:1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, . . . Paul's struggle on the behalf of the Colossian church was
probably spiritual. He was praying for the people in the church that they would
follow Christian teachings, but also for the people in the church that he never
met. It's always hard to pray for total strangers - as we don't know their
spiritual condition or needs. 2:2 . . . that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God's mystery, that is, Christ Himself. While Paul was writing to the church in Colosse, in verse 1 he refers to the church in Laodicea which appears to be a nearby city on the map. No matter what church he is writing to, even ours, the thought should be the same - to have Christian love for each other and to continue to grow in the faith - thus becoming more like Christ Himself. (DRM 7/31/09) 2:2b,3 . . . that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God's mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. After salvation, the Holy Spirit gives us a clear understanding of what has taken place. With the help of the Bible, we learn more about Christ and what He did for us. As I pray for wisdom - He gives me more knowledge. (DRM 10/14/2000) 2:4 I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument. This seems to be a transitional verse between two thoughts
that Paul presents. 2:5 For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ. All believers can't be together until we are with Christ in Heaven. Until that day, we are in various cities and parts of the world, trying to serve Christ. So, we must pray for each other and be thankful for the work that others are doing to proclaim His Kingdom - as they are called. (DRM 8/11/06) 2:6,7 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk with Him, 7having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. There are 4 major directives here: 1. Receive Christ. 2. Walk in Him. 3. Be firmly rooted/established in your faith and 4. overflowing with gratitude. Thank God I have no problem with 1,2 & 4, the need is in #3. God will have to keep teaching me His word and plan all of my life. (DRM 10/15/2000) 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. There were/are many diversions in the world to keep us
from honoring and serving Jesus. There are false teachers everywhere and people
who have their "own views" that don't necessarily agree with the Bible. How can
we (I) avoid being deceived? 2:9,10 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, 10and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority; The only way that I can do anything for the Lord is by accepting His rule and authority in my life. He is the Person who made me and must direct my life. (DRM 10/16/2000) [re: 2:9] Non-Christians have a hard time comprehending who Jesus is/was. This verse is very clear - Jesus is God. Once I understood this - and trusted in Him alone, then most of the rest of the Bible became much clearer. I pray that others will know Him in the same way also. (DRM 8/12/06) 2:11 . . . and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; What is spiritual circumcision? I am only guessing from
the context of the passage. 2:12 . . . having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. When a new Christian becomes a believer in Jesus, they
should soon after be baptized via immersion - as was illustrated by John
the Baptist. 2:13, 14 When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him having forgiven us all our transgressions, 14having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He had taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. This explains some of what Jesus did for us when He was on
earth 2,000 years ago. 2:15 When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him. This has to involve two aspects of the Trinity. While I've
never taken a course on this, Jesus disarmed the rulers and authorities by
telling the truth and rising from the dead. His (God's) public display was the
crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus; Who is the object 'Him' at the end of
this verse. 2:16, 17 Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day 17things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ. [Re: 2:16] Freedom in Christ. He has definite plans for my life, but I am also free to do many things within His will. I can choose what to eat or drink or where to go and where to worship, so long as I honor Him. (DRM 10/17/2000) Jesus died for our sins on the cross (v. 14), so we are
not subject to earthly authorities (v. 15) for the sins we committed. Our
ultimate judge is God relating to food and drink on a Sabbath or special day (v.
16). 2:18 Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, Yes, I am guilty of "self-abasement." Sometimes I do it to humble myself and say I'm not "that" good, or "that" bad. Yes, I know people who worship angels - but why not go to the Source? Let me not make up my beliefs, but totally depend on the Lord God through Jesus. (DRM 10/18/2000) There's a lot that could be written about this verse, but in the middle angels are mentioned. . . A few years ago, angels were the "craze" and I think some even worshipped them. Clearly, God wants us to know about angels' existence, but to worship Him alone. (DRM 8/13/06) 2:19 and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God. This is the second half of a sentence with verse 18. 2:20-21 If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, 21"Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!" . . . This seems to be in conflict with the story in Genesis
about Adam and Eve, but I think the point is that we are no longer restricted in
what we can eat or handle or touch, because we are already believers in Christ.
2:22 . . . (which all refer to things destined to perish with use) in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? As Christians, God gives us freedoms that the worldly
system opposes. Some laws by some countries against our practice of worship or
Paul's use of "Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!" (v. 21) try to
subject us to a system that opposes the freedom we have as Christians. 2:23 These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence. As Christians, we are to be set apart from the things of
this world. In the previous verses examples are given of worldly warnings not to
do something, but, according to this verse we are free to do these things based
on our faith in Christ. We are to consider ourselves "dead" to the values of this world and alive to Christ. We now aspire to a way of life demonstrated by the One who said, "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant" {Matt. 20:26} (from Our Daily Bread TIM GUSTAFSON 10/10/16) 3:1-2 Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. The first goal in life should be to please the Father and to share His love with everyone I (we) come in contact with. While I have to work to earn a living, I also must not dwell only on earthly things/gain, but also give time to promote the kingdom of Heaven - as that truly will be my home. (DRM 8/3/09) 3:2-3 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. I should have one thing on my mind - serving God. Dying to self means not to be self-serving, but God-serving. This is easier said than done. I would think it nearly impossible to do with a wife and children. God, help me to serve You more! (DRM 10/19/2000) [re: 3:2] I fail at this a lot. I still have hopes and plans on all the things I'd like to do before I leave earth - as Heaven is still too wonderful to imagine. I think that God wants my earthly goals to be ones that serve His Kingdom - like sharing my faith with others. (DRM 8/14/06) 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. Let's say that I (we) are still on earth when Jesus is
ready to rule. This verse says that we will be with Him when He is revealed. 3:5 Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. Another list. True Christians shouldn't be doing any of these things. I will admit that temptation exists to try to cause me to do them, though! I think the hardest one today is greed - desire for more. (DRM 10/20/2000) Over the years, I have slowly created a "sins
list" from various references in the Bible. From what Paul wrote, this
should be added. 3:6, 7 For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, 7and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. The wrath of God will come. To who? The sons of
disobedience - the people who didn't follow Him. Why? The list is in the
previous verse (v. 5). These are sins that we are to avoid and I won't describe
each here (I should have written some on that verse.). 3:8 But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Another list of things to put aside. 3:9 Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, Paul wrote this to the Christian believers in Colosse,
thus this verse refers to Christians lying to other Christians. 3:10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him New life! God gives us new life in different ways. He created our bodies before we were born, He gave me spiritual renewal in 1986, He is constantly opening my eyes to more of His knowledge and truth, and, He will give me a new body when I get to spend eternity with Him in Heaven. Praise the Lord! (DRM 10/21/2000) 3:11 a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all. This is the end of a paragraph that refers to our old
nature verses our new nature as believers in Jesus. 3:12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; Some items in this list are natural to me and others I need work on. It depends on the circumstance. I can see my compassion growing, but patience needs work and humility may be work in the future. I have to lean on my Lord Jesus Christ for all. (DRM 10/22/2000) Here's another list for Christians - but I think there's a difference - before I was a Christian I may not have had all of these qualities - but they seem to have been given to me by the Holy Spirit afterwards. It's like His Spirit took over my body - which indeed happened. (DRM 8/15/06) This one verse could be the source for a whole sermon or
more. Whenever we are given a list of attitudes to cultivate, we need to
understand the meaning of each and how to apply them to our lives. In behalf of Jesus, Paul urged them and us to clothe ourselves in the kind of love that does far more than call attention to ourselves. It is a caring that binds all goodness together in the eye-catching unity of Christ. (from Our Daily Bread, INSIGHT MART DEHAAN 9/27/17) 3:13 . . . bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone, just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. This is directed to believers in Christ. (v. 12) 3:13b,14 . . . forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. When I get angry with someone, I usually don't forgive or apologize very quickly. When this happens in the future, I should remember how Jesus Christ forgave us for ALL our sins, and if He could do that, then we should be loving and forgive others for our petty differences with each other. (DRM 12/1/86) 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. I can't deal with confrontation - it causes adrenalin in my body to flow and it take a while to recover. As stated here, God=Jesus wants us to live peacefully with others - not only believers, but also ALL people. Each day is a gift from God, and we (I) am thankful for another opportunity to show His love to others. (DRM 8/4/09) 3:16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. The Lord God wants us to know His words in our heart.
While it is hard for me to memorize verses at my age, I just keep reading the
Bible over and over and become familiar with all of the contents. 3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. Ever since the person who spoke to me about the Lord suggested that I was "transparent," I never wanted to lose it. I want people to see my faith and don't want to hide it. The hard part is speaking my faith for fear of ridicule. God will have to give me that ability as I can't do it alone. (DRM 10/23/2000) 3:18 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Only God doesn't have an authority over Him. As I understand the Bible, Jesus is under God's authority; man is under Jesus' authority; women (wives) are under men's (husbands) authority {v. 18}; and children are under their parents authority {v. 20}. Someone has to make the final decision in a dispute - but the best thing is really to try and cooperate, then there will be no reason to have to be concerned about authority figures. (DRM 4/9/13) 3:19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them. Since I was never married, my comments here are not from
"experience." 3:20 Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord. Certainly as a child, I need more work on relating to my father. I try to do as he asks, but still have minor differences. God, give me patience and obedience. (DRM 10/24/2000) 3:21 Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart. Since I've never been a father, it's harder to write about
this verse. 3:22 Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. In the USA we no longer have slavery, but we have the employer/employee relationship that this applies to. This verse says not to just do our work, but to do our work to the best of our ability - thinking of it as a service to the Lord. The attitude we should have is that we are trying to please Christ, then the employer will be happy as a by-product. (DRM 8/5/09) 3:23,24 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men; 24knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. Wherever I am - when I do my work, I look around and find distractions. With my new NYS job, the distraction of conversation surrounds me. I don't feel very productive. I still try to "keep focused" on my work and hope that the Lord accepts that. (DRM 10/25/2000) When I am at work - and doing non-Christian duties, it's hard to realize that my deeds are for the Lord Jesus. He is my true Supervisor and knows my heart's attitude in ALL that I do. I must remember that He is always watching. (DRM 8/16/06) 3:25 For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality. While this is addressed to slaves (v. 22), I think it
applies to all of us. 4:1 Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven. While we don't have legal slavery any longer in the USA,
the masters here could refer to work supervisors. 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; . . . Quite often my longest prayer of the day is before going to bed. Several times I have fallen asleep in prayer. In this verse, Paul emphasizes we should KEEP ALERT in our prayers in addition to the attitude of giving thanks to God for His provisions. Perhaps my long daily prayer should be at a different time? (DRM 8/17/06) When I/we pray it shouldn't be just to ask for something
from God. There are lots of things to pray about, that's why Paul later suggests
we should "pray without ceasing" (1 Thess. 5:17). We should pray for others'
needs, our nation and its leaders, missionaries and pastors, and those who are
sick, among many others. 4:3, 4 . . . praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ for which I have also been imprisoned; 4that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak. Here Paul seems to be saying, 'please pray that I will be
a bold witness for Jesus in the way I speak.' 4:5, 6 Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. 6Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person. No matter if we think so or not, we, as Christians, are
all ambassadors for Christ. Those that we meet every day, believers and
unbelievers, all see Jesus in us by what we say and do. [Re: 4:5] This is clearly about evangelism - sharing Christ with others. When I (we) talk to others, what do we talk about? The weather? Whatever the conversation, the Lord wants it to lead others to follow Him. Certainly I need wisdom on how to bring the conversation to a discussion on faith. (DRM 8/6/09) [Re: 4:6] I still wonder what I will be saying when I tell unbelievers of Christ's love. I am depending on the Lord for the words, but hope that by using my past experiences in talking will be a seasoning and not as salt on a wound. (DRM 10/26/2000) 4:7 As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information. While our modes of communication are different today (e-mail and cell phones, etc.), Paul still wanted the new believers to be informed about his travels and to instruct/encourage them in their new faith. I should do the same to my Christian and other friends - more than I do. (DRM 8/18/06) 4:8 For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. This small section refers to friends of Paul that were sent to encourage the believers. The way this verse is written, the friends were to tell them about how Paul was doing [maybe he was in jail?], but mainly to encourage others not put them down. (DRM 10/27/2000) 4:9 . . . and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your number. They will inform you about the whole situation here. Onesimus was the slave that Paul wrote to Philemon about.
To be "one of your number" probably indicates that he was from Colosse. Rather
than writing any longer, Paul was sending these people with the letter to
explain his current status and to encourage them in their faith walk. 4:10, 11 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also Barnabas's cousin Mark (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him); 11and also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to me. Paul was in prison for preaching. While there he wrote
letters to the churches that he wanted to encourage or share his knowledge with.
4:12 Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. Today's term for Epaphras would be "prayer warrior." While
all of us are not called to be prayer warriors, we are told to "pray without
ceasing" which I think is to share our day's activities with the Lord in
prayer. 4:13, 14 For I testify for him [Epaphras] that he has a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also Demas. Epaphras was a Colossian - or from the city of Colosse (v.
13). Apparently he was working with Paul at the time this letter was written.
After a person becomes a Christian they want others to know of the Savior like
they do. Those who don't want to trust in Jesus cause concern from we who have.
We don't want others to miss His gift and go to Hell. 4:15 Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea and also Nympha and the church that is in her house. At the end of Paul's letter to the Colossians, he sends
greetings from his co-workers to the church there. In this verse he sends
greetings to a woman called Nympha and her home church. 4:16 And when this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter that is coming from Laodicea. Paul intended for the letters to be public, as they are addressed to churches. The interesting part of this verse is the letter sent to Laodicea. Where did it go? What did it contain? Only God knows. (DRM 8/19/06) 4:17 And say to Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it." Apparently Archippus was called by the Lord to do some ministry for the church. In Paul's final statements, he wanted to encourage Archippus to do this ministry. I should take this quote as an encouragement for the ministry that I feel that the Lord wants me to do for His church. (DRM 10/28/2000) 4:18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my imprisonment. Grace be with you. Certainly no one wants to be put in prison for any reason.
We/I could think the same for Paul going to prison for sharing the gospel. If
Paul wasn't in prison, he probably wouldn't have had time to write this and
other letters - so it was a good thing after all! That's how God works. |