• However, the prophets saw that even those who were trying to follow Torah law were nevertheless deficient, particularly with regard to the treatment of widows, orphans, and other vulnerable people. But what is this fruitfulness that we are talking about? In this letter to the Colossians, Paul establishes Christ as their North Star­­—the fixed point in the sky by which they can navigate dependably—the truth who will help them to avoid the many falsehoods that threaten to lead them astray. New Testament Christians thought of each other as brother and sister (Romans 16:23; 1 Corinthians 1:1; 16:12; Ephesians 6:23; 1 Timothy 6:2; Revelation 1:9; 12:10)—and used those words to speak of each other. We can’t deal with it. Love is the first of the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22)—and is the greatest of Christian virtues (1 Corinthians 13:13). To truly please God in all respects necessitates taking advantage of the grace and forgiveness available through a proper relationship to Christ (Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 5:8; 1 Thessalonians 4:1). We have taken this word eucharisteo into the English language as Eucharist, a word which many Christians use to refer to the Lord’s Supper—a rite that emphasizes thanksgiving for God’s grace in Christ Jesus our Lord. • God provided detailed guidance in the 613 laws of the Torah. He is an apostle (apostolos). We don’t know whether Timothy contributed significantly to the wording of the letter. It is not something that you need to go looking for. Colossians Commentary. It is easy, therefore, to understand why Paul would adapt charis to the Gospel. This is a familial, procreative, agricultural, and ecological fruitfulness. If there were four sons, the inheritance would be divided five ways, and the oldest son would get two of the five shares. They have hope (v. 5). The ASV, which is also in the public domain due to expired copyrights, was a very good translation, but included many archaic words (hast, shineth, etc. You see, after a brief salutation (Colossians 1:1-2), this epistle launches into a long, run-on sentence that stretches from 1:3 to 1:14, and then adds on a poem (Colossians 1:15-20) for good measure. 1:9-14 The apostle was constant in prayer, that the believers might be filled with the knowledge of God's will, in all wisdom. Perhaps we need to consider how our preaching is called to be a ministry of such proximity, wherein the word is near and the gospel comes to bear rich fruit in our lives. No wonder the psalmist this week prays, “Lead me in your truth, and teach me” (Psalm 25:5). The words “ransom” and “redeem” or “redemption” are often used together in scripture. He also said, “He who doesn’t take his cross and follow after me, isn’t worthy of me” (Matthew 10:38). 3 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus … “according to the might (kratos) of his glory” (doxa) (v. 11b). See also 9:5; 12:46). It is, if you will, a catechetical text. This gives further testimony to the fact that Paul’s epistles (letters) were meant to be circulated and read to all churches (4:16). He has redeemed us—has paid the price for our sins so that we could be forgiven—saved. The Apostle Paul wrote this letter (epistle) to the church at Colossae, a small city located on the Lycus River in Asia Minor (modern Turkey)—known for its production of wool and woolen goods. Colosse was a considerable city of Phrygia. Seeing a beautiful sunset can bring to mind the creator who made that sunset possible. Forgiveness is needed when one person does something to offend another person. The agape person has little or nothing to gain by helping these hungry, thirsty, strange, naked, imprisoned people. But there are other ways as well. “Paul, an apostle (apostolos) of Christ Jesus” (v. 1a). But “the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Corinthians 1:25). At the core of God’s will is Jesus’ cross—given “that whoever believes in (the Son of Man) should not perish, but have eternal life—that the world should be saved through him”(John 3:16-17). It has Old Testament roots. • He cautions them to “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” (2:8). We are blood relatives of Godly people from other races and nations (the blood that connects us is the blood of Christ). There is more at work in the text, however, than one might gather from an initial, cursory reading. An agape person will do what is possible to feed the hungry—and to give drink to the thirsty—and to welcome the stranger—and to clothe the naked—and to visit the sick and the person in prison (Matthew 25:31-46). “and of the love (agape) which you have toward all the saints” (v. 4b). Fathers were not even permitted to alter this formula to favor a well-liked son or to punish a son (Deuteronomy 21:16). Barclay, William, Daily Study Bible: Letters to the Philippians, Colossians, Thessalonians, (Edinburgh: The Saint Andrew Press, 1963, Bruce, F. F., The New International Commentary on the New Testament: The Epistles to the Colossians, to Philemon and to the Ephesians (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1984), Donelson, Lewis R., Colossians, Ephesians, 1 and 2 Timothy, and Titus, (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1996, Dunham, Maxie D., The Preacher’s Commentary: Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1982), Hay, David M., Abingdon New Testament Commentary: Colossians (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2000), Lincoln, Andrew T., The New Interpreter’s Bible: 2 Corinthians to Philemon, Vol. In the biblical imagination fruitfulness is always connected to faithfulness while disobedience and idolatry invariably results in fruitlessness. The words dunamis (v. 11a) and kratos (v. 11b) both have to do with strength or power. Today, we have seen the fulfillment of this “all the world” promise. While those are not absolutely binding on Christians as they were on Old Testament Jews, they are still helpful today in discerning God’s will. Life without hope is drab and meaninglessness. But both eirene and shalom can also refer to an external kind of peace—the absence of rancor or violence among individuals or nations. SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS are from the World English Bible (WEB), a public domain (no copyright) modern English translation of the Holy Bible. But Paul tells these Colossian Christians that God has inserted them into the inheritance scheme so that they might share in the inheritance of the saints—those whom God has counted as holy. Paul’s status as an apostle gives him authority to address their problems—and to prescribe remedies. This is a word, says our Deuteronomy reading, that is not far away, but rather, “the word is very near to you; it is in your mouth and in your hearts for you to observe” (Deuteronomy 30:14). Colossians 1:1-14 “One Giant Leap” 1. “and increasing in the knowledge of God” (v. 10c). • He reminds them that they were “dead through your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh,” but Christ “made you alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, wiping out the handwriting in ordinances which was against us; and he has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross, having stripped the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it” (2:13-15). 4 1 “For indeed the day 2 is coming, burning like a furnace, and all the arrogant evildoers will be chaff. Paul follows that form, expanding it to meet his purposes. “and Timothy our brother” (v. 1c). Commentary, Colossians 1:1-14 (Pentecost +7), Karl Jacobson, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2010. (1-2) Paul greets the Christians in Colosse. 32 (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1991), Moo, Douglas J., Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Letters to the Colossians and to Philemon(Grand Rapids, Wm. When Paul speaks of increasing in the knowledge of God, he means something more than an academic understanding. However, if a patron were to grant us unimaginable wealth, we could be faithful to the patron by using the money in a way that would be consistent with the patron’s wishes or values. The classic distinction between agape and philos is that agape has to do with a concern for the well-being of the other person while philos has to do with brotherly love—friendship love—companionate love—the kind of love where a person receives as well as gives. This deliverance motif brings to mind the Exodus, in which Yahweh delivered Israel from the dark kingdom of Egypt, where they were slaves to Pharaoh, who despised and feared them. Jesus says that we must forgive each other if we want God to forgive us (Matthew 6:12, 14-15). It is needed to restore a harmonious relationship. But Paul tells these Colossian Christians that their hope grows out of their “faith in Christ Jesus” and “the love which (they) have toward all the saints” (v. 4). He was so excited at this insight that he ran naked through the streets shouting “Eureka” (“I have found it!”). The ransom is the price paid to effect the redemption. It would be too much for us. It is through “the word of the truth of the Good News” that these Colossian Christians have received the blessing of “the hope which is laid up for (them) in the heavens. The word “glory” is used in the Bible to speak of various wonderful things—but it is used especially to speak of God’s glory—an aura associated with God’s appearance that reveals God’s majesty to humans. 9For 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 (Greek: epignosis) of his will (Greek: thelema) in all spiritual wisdom (Greek: sophia) and understanding, (Greek: sunesis) 10that you may walk worthily (Greek: axios) of the Lord, to please him in all respects, bearing fruit (Greek: karpophoreo) in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11strengthened with all power, (Greek: dunamoo) according to the might of his glory, (Greek: doxa) for all endurance (Greek: hypermone) and perseverance (Greek: makrothumia) with joy; (Greek: charas) 12giving thanks (Greek: eucharisteo) to the Father, who made us fit (Greek: ikanoo) to be partakers of the inheritance (Greek: kleros) of the saints in light; 13who delivered us out of the power of darkness, (Greek: skotos) and translated (Greek: methistemi) us into the Kingdom of the Son of his love; 14in whom we have our redemption, (Greek: apolutrosis) the forgiveness (Greek: aphesis) of our sins. It is his will that we occupy that particular space. We are the beneficiaries—the recipients of his grace. We are blood relatives of Godly people who lived long ago—and of those who will come after us. He tells us that “we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1:7). Paul defined the fruit of the Spirit as “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). Let me suggest a hermeneutical principle: Always read the New Testament with Old Testament eyes. To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, … Some of the Colossian Christians would almost surely suffer similar adversities. Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. He understood the problem. July 11, 2010. Jesus said that his followers should consider themselves to be members of a family—the family of God: “Whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother” (Matthew 12:50). I have been in travels often, Paul will get to those problems soon enough—but first he takes time to express some positives about the Colossian Christians. The preacher is also wise to notice the proximity of this gospel, this fruit-bearing word. Also at the core of God’s will is our cross. • Burnt sacrifices were holy, because they were sacrificed to God (Exodus 29:34). A study of physics or biology or astronomy—looking through a microscope or a telescope—can deepen a person’s awe of God’s creation. He said, “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you” (Ezekiel 36:25). They would need to be tough to survive. And the first word spoken to humanity, indeed, the primal blessing is, “be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it … ” (Genesis 1:28). The call of Saul to become an apostle had its beginning in the will (thelema) of God. Eros is romantic or sexual love. Dunamis is more active. This Greek word methistemi is a combination of meta (in the midst of—among) and histemi (to place or to stand). “We give thanks (eucharisteo) to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 3a). So don’t respond to Christ’s call thinking that your faithfulness will bring you riches. Your blessing will be a life well lived—a life full of purpose—a life in which you will store up treasures in heaven, but probably not on earth (Matthew 6:19-21). Paul earlier said that he and Timothy were “praying always for you”—a prayer of thanksgiving (v. 3). That doesn’t mean that Jesus has made us perfect. We ought, therefore, (1) to acknowledge the flee grace of God in sending us such good tidings; (2) to rejoice in the gospel and walk by the light of it. These attitudes or virtues do not constitute good works in themselves, but instead constitute good soil that tends to produce good works in abundance. God has delivered these Colossian Christians from the power of darkness, and has ushered them into the realm of light. While there was a significant Jewish population in the region, the Colossae Christians were probably, for the most part, Gentiles (see 1:21, 27; 2:13. Commentary on Colossians 1:1-14. The possibilities for increasing our knowledge of God seem endless. The point is that God’s glory is so overwhelming that humans aren’t engineered to be capable of experiencing it. But then Christ chose to call him to be a Christian apostle. Because Paul has heard of the Colossians’ “love in the Spirit,” he indicates that he does not stop praying for them. Paul had not visited the Colossian church personally. Salutation 1:1 From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 1:2 to the saints, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ, at Colossae. It has its roots in the peace that we have with God, who has granted us the gift of grace through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1-2a). Paul is calling these Colossian Christians to live in harmony and tranquility with each other. We might characterize Paul’s strategy as filling these Colossian Christians with good beliefs, so bad beliefs won’t find lodgment—in much the same way that a homeowner nurtures the growth of grass to prevent weeds from finding a place to grow. The usual Greek word for knowledge is gnosis, which has to do with general knowledge. In that time and place, the conventional form for the beginning of a letter included the name of the sender, the name of the intended recipient, and a greeting. 1 These commentaries on Colossians will assume Pauline authorship of this epistle. Psalm 25 may qualify as a poetic epitome of teaching ministry of the church. A person could redeem a slave by paying the owner to free the slave. The thrust of his/heragape love is giving, not getting. Once I was stoned. It does require us to act in behalf of that person—to demonstrate our love in some practical fashion. God has a thelema—a will—a plan—for every person. The word eucharisteo means to give thanks or to express one’s gratitude—and the Lord’s Supper is certainly a place where it is appropriate to do that. They cope less well, because their fate is unclear—because they have nothing definite for which to hope—no end-date by which to measure their progress. Paul also sought the prayers of others in his behalf (Romans 15:30; 2 Corinthians 1:11; Ephesians 6:19-20; Colossians 4:3; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; 2 Thessalonians 3:1). The middle part of this verse, “to which also you were called in one body,” suggests that this external peace is the primary meaning here. The tradition of Christians calling each other “brother” or “sister” is still alive among many conservative Christians today. Biblical writers, attempting to describe God’s glory using human words, portrayed it as “a devouring fire” (Exodus 24:17). Saints are people who have been “sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ” (Hebrews 10:10). and in cold and nakedness” (2 Corinthians 11:24-27). Armstrong planned to say “one small step for a man,” but what came out was “one small step for man.” 3. Paul often speaks of hagioi—a word that means “holy ones” but is usually translated “saints” in our English-language Bibles. perils of rivers, perils of robbers, In verses 4-5, Paul mentions three virtues—faith, love, and hope—that he groups together elsewhere as well (1 Corinthians 13:13; Romans 5:1-5; Galatians 5:5-6; 1 Thessalonians 1:3). We can fulfill God’s purpose for us only as we seek to understand and to fill that space—as we seek to bring our wills into congruence with God’s will. 2. Amos 7:7-17 describes two episodes in the prophetic career of Amos, set in the northern kingdom of Israel around 750 BCE. It means that prayer for the Colossians is a regular part of Paul’s life. The World English Bible is based on the American Standard Version (ASV) of the Bible, the Biblia Hebraica Stutgartensa Old Testament, and the Greek Majority Text New Testament. Biblical Commentary (Bible Study) Colossians 1:1-14. This church was actually founded by Papayas, … Colossians 1:1-14 Standing Strong in Jesus (Stevenson) The idea that Jesus is the only way of salvation is at odds with a society that cannot understand how we can disagree with other religions and still respect them. Three times I suffered shipwreck. It does mean that Christ has made us holy—set us apart for a Godly purpose—called us to live holy lives. The Greeks prize wisdom (sophia), but elsewhere Paul contrasts the wisdom of God with the foolishness of the world. They are “faithful brothers” (v. 1). The letter begins by ascribing authorship to the apostle Paul “and Timothy our brother” (v. 1; see also 4:18). In verse 4, Paul mentioned the faith of these Colossian Christians—and in this verse he speaks of their hope. Having heard from whom? He has a particular space for each one of us to occupy in his spiritual universe. We sin against each other in many ways—and Christ calls us to forgive those who have sinned against us (Matthew 6:12-15; 18:21ff; Mark 11:25; Luke 6:37; 17:3-4). An apostolos is someone who is sent with a message. The preacher is advised to avoid such monster sentences while embracing and proclaiming the breathtaking scope and depth of what Paul here writes.1. The members of the Colossian church were largely Gentiles, so they couldn’t qualify for a saintly inheritance by virtue of their ancestor Abraham. He reminded them that he had often been imprisoned. Three times I was beaten with rods. • Jesus re-emphasized the necessity of caring for the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick, and those in prison as central to pleasing God (Matthew 25:31-46). “and peace” (eirene) (v. 2c). God chose Christ’s cross as the way to save the world—a plan that seemed foolish to the world. ), which the WEB has updated. Did he have a vacation home on a beautiful lake? He had endured imprisonments, floggings, the forty lashes minus one, beatings with rods, stoning, shipwrecks, etc., etc., etc. Paul pays Epaphras two high compliments, calling him “our beloved fellow servant” and “a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf.”. The Good News of Christ “is bearing fruit and growing” in them (v. 6). Grace and peace to you from God our Father! He says, “Do not subject yourselves to ordinances, ‘Don’t handle, nor taste, nor touch'” (2:20-21). He says that Christ Jesus became for us “wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30). Verse 1. “even as you learned of Epaphras our beloved fellow servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf” (v. 7). He advised us to insure that we were giving at least ten positive comments for each criticism—a ten-to-one ratio favoring positive comments. Give the meaning then establish principles of life from the interpretation. The creative word that calls forth a world and a people of fruitfulness is spoken anew in the gospel and, lo and behold, it bears fruit. If they can get a “fix” on the North Star, that will help them to orient themselves so that they will know where they are and in what direction they are headed. John, first, I would read the Introduction to Colossians. How could that be? Hope is vital (from the Latin vita—life) in the full sense of that word. It Takes a Village to be a Good Samaritan-- Luke 10:25-37, Amos 7:7-17, Colossians 1:1-14, Psalm 82-- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte-- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C-- 2019 It is his will that we occupy that particular space. Paul speaks positively of the Colossian Christians’ faith, love, and hope (1:4-5) and acknowledges that the Good News is bearing fruit and growing in them (1:6). Paul’s prayer for the community mirrors the purpose of his letter. • He teaches us that “a rich man will enter the Kingdom of Heaven with difficulty”­­—and that“it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God” (Matthew 19:23-24; see also Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:18-30).