Colossians - An Expositional Study
A CURTEOUS ADDRESS
Scripture Reading: Colossians 1:3-4 (KJV)
"We give thanks to God...for you"
Paul now gets to the object and purpose of his writing, continuing as a perfect gentleman in the strain of good manners. He proceeds with agreeable Christian courtesy, expressing first his delight in verses 3-5. In verse 3, he says, "We give thanks to God...for you." Paul strikes this note often at the beginning of his letters, even in 1 Corinthians where he rebukes those Christians severely for the low level of their lives. It was apparently his custom to look for something good in people and he never hesitated to mention it. On the other hand, he never allowed the good points to blind him to the fundamental weakness and wickedness of the human heart – "there is none that doeth good, no, not one" (Rom. 3:12). In spite of flashes of goodness, there is within us badness which needs to be dealt with and can only be dealt with by the grace and gospel of God in Whose saving efficacy Paul glories (Rom. 1:16). Consider Paul's continued praise of the Colossian church.
"since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus"
Their "faith." The relationship between faith or belief and the Lord Jesus is expressed in the Greek by various prepositions. In Acts 16:31, "Believe ON the Lord Jesus Christ" is epi, whose significance may be pictorially suggested as resting on a foundation. In Acts 20:21, "faith TOWARD our Lord Jesus Christ," we have cis, which may not unjustly be thought of as conveying the idea of coming home, to find our dwell-place in Him – "abide in Me" (John 14:4). In our text the word is "in", "faith in Christ Jesus" as if we had come to anchor in Him – "as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil" (Heb. 6). How infinitely blessed is the intimate relationship with Him which He has so graciously allowed our faith to secure for us – our Foundation, on which all our security rests; our Home, in which all our joys and privileges are enjoyed; our Anchor, which keeps us safely riding the storms of life. What is next?
"love"
Note that it is "the love that ye have to all the saints." It is, of course, a Christian quality which comes after faith. There is a kind of love whose Greek equivalent (not found in the New Testament) means only physical and sensual – a parody of the real thing. It is the subject of many popular songs today. But God's Holy Word will have nothing to do with it. There is another kind, wholly admirable – family love or the love of friends; but it is only a human affection. The kind of love Paul speaks of is of a divine, complete, quality. It embraces "all the saints," even those unlovable. Remember, it is a commanded quality, we cannot make a choice. "This is His commandment, that we should believe on the Name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as He gave us commandment" (1 John 3:23). Therefore, since He never expects us to do what we cannot, this love is a compassable quality; and the secret of this attitude toward others is plainly provided, "the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost who is given unto us" (Rom. 5:5). We should! Therefore, we can! Therefore, we will? Consider verse 8 of our text, "Who hath declared unto us your love in the Spirit." Here lies the spring, secret, and strength of this all-powerful virtue – "the fruit of the Spirit" (Gal. 5:22).
Scripture Reading: Colossians 1:5-8 (KJV)
In verses 5-8, Paul cites a further cause for his thankfulness. It concerns "the word of the truth of the gospel" – a matter always uppermost in Paul's thoughts; the mainspring of his magnificent life and service. He was "separated unto the gospel of God" (Rom. 1:1). This meant everything to this intrepid missionary adventurer. What has he to say about this gospel in our text?
"Whereof ye heard before"
The original Gospel – "Whereof ye heard before" (v. 5), that is, at the first. The old Gospel, as contrasted with any new-fangled gospel, such as was being propagated in certain quarters of the Colossian church. If you wanted to rouse Paul's ire, start proclaiming a rival so-called gospel. Listen to Paul, "if any man preach any other gospel unto you...let him be accused" (Gal. 1:6-9). Blessed intolerance! Away with the gospel of do your best, accumulated merit, personal worth, and ritual observance and all like them. To deceive they flatter, never saving a soul. By repeated emphasis of Divine revelation, it is only Paul's "gospel of the grace of God" that saves. Like Jacob's ladder, it is brought within reach of man, "set up on the earth" and "it reached" to heaven (Gen. 28: 12). Thank God, when our Lord Jesus came down to be our Ladder to the Skies (John 1:51), "it reached." However attractive, all other ladders fall short. The truth is, Jesus Christ is not a way to heaven, but the way, as He Himself said in John 14:6 – the only Way, the true Way, the living Way.
"all the world"
The universal Gospel "which is come unto you, as it is in all the world" (v. 6). It was the same writer who declared, "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" (Rom. 1:16). Down through the ages it has proved itself indigenous in all lands; it has settled itself down as native to all races; it is at home in every circumstance and age; it has flourished in its conquests of human hearts throughout the world. By the way, it was when some Greeks desired to see Him that the Savior used words expressing the very heart of the Gospel, "I, if I be lifted up from the earth will draw all men unto Me" (John 12:32) – not all without exception, for that has manifestly not been so, but all without distinction, Greeks as well as Jews. The appeal and efficacy of His atoning death is without frontiers and will prove to have embraced "a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and peoples, and tongues [which] stood before the throne, and before the Lamb" (Rev. 7:9). Pray we fall in line with this mighty purpose of God and truly be like the missionary-minded Paul.
"fruit"
The vital Gospel "bringeth forth fruit" (v. 6). All that we have considered thus far has emphasized the Gospel of Christ as a living force. Instances are told of the sound or sight of a Gospel word which has brought about conversion of an otherwise godless and careless soul, demonstrating the vital "power...unto salvation" of this Divine Good News.
"unto you"
The personal Gospel "which is come unto you" (v. 6). Though proclaimed to the multitude, it is still presented to the individual. The prophetic statement of Old Testament deliverance is also a principle of New Testament salvation, "Ye shall be gathered one by one" (Is. 27:12). "What must I do to be saved?" (Acts 16:30). "What shall I do then with Jesus?" (Matt. 27:22). Let this suffice for our consideration of Paul's great declaration of the Gospel.
Scripture Reading: Colossians 1:9-11 (KJV)
In verses 9-11, Paul shares a heartfelt desire. In Christian courtesy, he reveals to these friends a big secret. He perhaps has never seen them. In any case, there in Rome he is many miles over land and sea from them. However, he now opens his heart, telling them that they are often in his mind and better still, his prayers, "we do not cease to pray for you" (v. 9). From their friend and leader Epaphras, he has heard of their faith, love and hope (v. 7). Therefore, he lets them know that because he is well aware of the enervating influences of a heathen atmosphere in Colossae, he is giving himself continually to prayer for them, that those estimable qualities of faith, love and hope may be deepened and strengthened. What better can anyone do for another than to pray for them? Therefore, to their well-being he opens his heart, revealing the pattern of his prayers – his "desire" for them.
"all wisdom"
The "knowledge" referred to is not of a merely formal or superficial kind, but of a deeper more thorough sort, since a prepositional addition is made to the simple word in the original, indicating this. It is spiritual knowledge that Paul's prayer seeks for them, "spiritual understanding," as he calls it. "The eyes of your understanding being enlightened," as Paul puts it in Ephesians 1:18. It is a growing knowledge, "increasing in the knowledge" as he says. Are we growing "in the knowledge" – in "the knowledge of His will" for ourselves, for the church of our Lord, and for things at large? This can only be gained by a continual study of His will, revealed in His Holy Word, until, in ever-widening measure, "we have the mind of Christ" (1 Cor. 2:16). A deeper aspect of Christian knowledge now emerges – "the knowledge of God." Not merely knowing facts regarding His will, but knowing Him. Acquaintance with people generally proceeds in orderly sequence. First comes introduction – this comes to the Christian when first meeting Christ. Peter's introduction to the Lord is interesting (John 1:40-42). Have you been introduced? Then comes increase – the theme of our present text. We see it developing in Peter from the time when the Master came to him subsequently calling him to "Follow Me" (Matt. 4:19). All this leads to intimacy – demonstrated in Peter's case (along with his two fellow-apostles, James and John) in Jairus' house, on the Transfiguration Mount, and in Gethsemane. Make no mistake, the Lord has no favorites. But, He does have intimates, who are prepared to pay the cost in absolute devotion and complete consecration. Consider Philippians 3:10, wherein the apostle tells us that in his pursuance of knowledge, his chief ambition was "that I may know Him." Such close fellowship and understanding embodies "all wisdom."
"all pleasing"
It is not a mark of great spirituality that Christians are unpleasing to unbelievers.
Within limits, Christians should hope to be popular with those not in the Lord, seeking to use such "pleasing" to make an impact on them for God. Yet, believers must keep their eyes open to the lurking danger of such popularity – lest in winning the world's smile we lose the Lord's smile, which means everything to the earnest Christian. When Paul writes about the Christian using the figure of a soldier, he brings out this point when he says, "No man that warreth [that is, is engaged in active service] entangleth himself with the affairs of this life [that is, ordinary and civil life, seeing there's a war on], that he may please Him who hath chosen him to be a soldier" (2 Tim. 2:4). If he can please others, that is well and good. But his chief and over-riding loyalty must be to his Sovereign, "that he may please Him." Such "all pleasing" is to be secured by our "walk" which is to be worthy of Him in all we do and are. Also, by our "work" which is to be worth-while, good, and serviceable to the church of our Lord. Certainly, self-pleasing is out of court for a Christian.
"all might"
Verse 11 holds our next consideration for the complete Christian. Whenever a Christian is exposed to and diligently seeks to emulate the character and conduct of a believer, he is likely to be halted for his worthy walk and worth-while work. As a principle of the spiritual life, bear in mind that "If God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to" (Ex. 18:23). In other words, as a Child of God, if I know that I ought, I know that I can. "All might" is available, so that "I can do all things [He requires] through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Phil. 4:13). Thus, our text answers the question of how a Christian can survive the unbeliever's attacks. Consider that it is a continuous power; "strengtheneth" is a present participle, being strengthened. In other words, it goes on and on, ever at our disposal. Also, it is a sufficient power "according to His glorious power." One might render the phrase, "up to the limit of His power." However great our need, it will never exceed God's limit. In another place, Paul changes the metaphor to say, "My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:19) – God's blank check drawn on an inexhaustible account in the Bank of Heaven. Surely we need never live spiritually bankrupt lives when such limitless resources are ours for the taking. We should be living as princes, not as paupers. What relief, what rejoicing belongs to the Child of God – for all Divine demands we have "all might."
"all patience"
Here we have Christian stickability, the power to keep on keeping on. The Christian will have temptations to give up such as allurements of the world; weakness of our resolve; frequency of our failures. These as well as other things may tend to undermine our resistance. So Paul prays that these Colossian believers may have the grace of perseverance. It was an outstanding quality in these first New Testament saints who "continued stedfastly" (Acts 2:42). Pray that we may also display a like tenacity, not in a temper of gain or glum resignation, but "with joyfulness." What a grand note to finish on.
