Colossians - An Expositional Study
IDEAL HOME EXHIBITION
Scripture Reading: Colossians 3:15 (KJV)
Among the greatest achievements of Christianity is the Christian home, often causing a deep impression in mission fields. The New Testament places great importance on the home. Consider two instances. When Legion had been gloriously transformed by the Lord Jesus, he wanted to go with the Lord, bearing witness to His glorious power to heal and save. But the Master had other plans for him, "Go home...and tell them" (Mark 5:19); "and shew [show]" (Luke 8:39). Home was his first mission-field, as it is for all Christians. How successful this man was in home ministry is seen in the fact that when our Lord returned, these people who had turned Him away "gladly received Him, for they were all waiting for Him" (Luke 8:40). It is important for the Christian to "show" the new man at home. Home first, and then afterward extend the borders of testimony. Paul provides another instance of the same Christian principle and order of things, "Learn first to shew [show] piety at home" (1 Tim. 5:4). This is one of the first lessons in Christian living Primary School. Of course, as time goes on and opportunity occurs, a Christian enlarges his circle of Christian behavior. But home first. Occasionally one hears of a Christian who thinks of home as a place where there is no need to display the true spirit of Christ, perhaps because home is often the most difficult place to do it. But still it is vital to always bear in mind this "first" rule of faith – first be a Christian at home. Never forget that showing piety does not mean talking about religion. It means living it. We now consider Paul's Ideal Home Exhibition...
"Let the peace of God rule in your hearts"
It is obviously God's plan that this quality should flourish in companies, as well as individuals, "in one body" of people, whether as in our present text in the body of the family, or in the body of the fellowship, the church of our lord. How saddened Paul must have been concerning the two ladies at loggerheads in the Philippian congregation – "I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord" (Col. 4:2). Such a situation can sap the energy of a congregation, stopping its blessing. Who can measure the loss and sadness when members of the same home are scarcely on speaking terms. How "thankful" we should be when a peaceful spirit prevails.
Consider the word "rule." John Milton called conscience "the umpire of the soul." But here in "the peace of God" is an infallible referee for the spirit. Does this line of conduct disturb our peace – that something I want to do, that place I want to go, that letter I want to write, that word I want to say? Does it cloud the sun of His peace? If it does, then don't. It is a first-rate test for a first-rate Christian. How marvelous life is when "the God of peace" is in full control of circumstances and conduct (Phil. 4:7, 9).
Scripture Reading: Colossians 3:16 (KJV)
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly"
The idea here is that of a rich man taking over a house. By reason of his financial resources he is able to completely change the appearance of the place, while the previous owner, being poor, was not able to do much toward the upkeep of the house. Does "the word of Christ" have a poor place in our heart or do we rejoice in riches? The point in our present text is not merely the heart, but also the home itself. Is God's Word the test and talisman of our home? If so, two things are likely to exist:
"in all wisdom"
Wisdomin family conduct, plans, and relationships; and
"Singing with grace in your hearts"
Singing when the Word of God is the yard-stick of all behavior, the home is happy. "Singing with grace" does not mean with gracefulness or tunefulness, since not all of us can manage that. However, "Singing with grace in your hearts" is something all Christians can manage, even with gusto.
"To the Lord"
If nobody else enjoys your singing, God will – He made crows as well as nightingales.
Many have a blessed memory of mom, dad and all the family gathered round, making the walls ring with "psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs." With the Word of God in residence, the melody of heart and home is assured. Let us do more than just read, let us study, ponder, and practice the Scriptures, so that we may turn our poor knowledge into increasingly abundant wealth.
Scripture Reading: Colossians 3:17 (KJV)
"Do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus."
The little word, "all," is large in content, multum in parvo. This verse also offers the bigger word, "whatsoever", a word that can be stretched to include everything life demands of us: hard things, humdrum things, happy things, home things, and holy things. "All," "whatsoever" – herein "the Name" is to be our guiding star.
Our reason is in the Name – we "do," because He first did in His home at Nazreth.
Our example is in the Name – Who left us "an example that ye should follow His steps" (1 Pet. 2:21).
Our guidance is in the Name – as was said at the home wedding scene, "whatsoever He saith unto you, do it" (John 2:5).
Our motive is in the Name – for "the love of Christ constraineth us" (2 Cor. 5:14). When all is said and done, the Name just means Him.
Scripture Reading: Colossians 3:18-19 (KJV)
The husband and wife are fundamental to the well-being of a home. Many children have developed disastrously simply because of the sad relationship existing between husband and wife. Children notice much more than is usually realized. How tragic when those who should be home-makers become home-breakers. God counts the family life as deeply important, which is why He "setteth the solitary in families" (Ps. 68:6).
"submit"
Wives are given this guiding word, "submit" – not implying abject slavery. In fact, in the parallel passage in Ephesians, the word demonstrates a wider application, "submitting yourselves one to another" (5:21-22). The expression easily carries the connotation of "mutual service." In other words, each serves the highest interest of the other. Women are Divinely reminded that this should be their proper attitude, "it is fit in the Lord." God has always been concerned for the welfare of man, thus His beautiful conception and name for the wife, "I will make him an helpmeet for him" (Gen. 2:18). Happy are homes when wives follow God's pattern, even in the 21st Century!
"love"
Husbands are also given a guiding word, "love." This, too, is to be mutual. In the worldly atmosphere of Colossae, where these Christians were bred and only recently emerged, men often regarded their wives as little more than chattels. Perhaps that is why Paul felt it necessary to emphasize even to Christians that love was to be the rule of the relationship, not harshness, accommodating, not demanding. Is anything more delightful than the obvious, mutual love of a married couple, sweethearts still, even after years together?
Scripture Reading: Colossians 3:20-21 (KJV)
What a joy and responsibility to have children of your own. When a child is given to mother and father, God is saying to them, "Take this child, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages" (Ex. 2:9). What wages of happiness, pride, and love are yours if you find them growing up for God.
"obey...in all things"
Children are given a guiding word, "obey...in all things." The restriction is, as in the Ephesian passage, "in the Lord" – one implication being that if the parent demanded something that would be wrong in the Lord's sight, the child is required to follow the higher loyalty. When Oliver Twist was being trained by Fagin to pick pockets, he could have invoked a higher loyalty, obeying the Lord, Who said, "Thou shalt not steal." The original word for children in our present text is not the same as "babes" in 1 Peter 2:2, but a word implying one grown in years, able to discern the clash of loyalties. But with this one exception, he is to obey his parents in all things. Consider the picture of twelve-year-old Jesus accompanying His mother and Joseph home, where He "was subject unto them" (Luke 2:51). Consider also the upbringing of Timothy, who "from a child [babe] hast known the Holy Scriptures" (2Tim. 3:15); reared on "the sincere [unadulterated] milk of the Word" (1 Pet. 2:2); and taught the faith by mother and grannie (2 Tim. 1:5). What a grand household is envisaged here. But, sorry to say that "disobedient to parents" (2 Tim. 3:2) is an all-too-common feature of our present age. But, in spite of the failures of our present age, it is still true that we are never too old to disregard the wishes of our parents. The relationship may no longer be the childlike "obey," but "honour thy father and thy mother" (Ex. 20:12), endorsed by Jesus, Who gave it on Sinai in Luke 18:20. It is distressing to observe the callous and grudging way some, even some Christians, treat the obligation to care for their old parents, who in bygone years lovingly cared for them. Such unchristian behavior should shame us all.
"provoke not"
Fathers also have a guiding word, "provoke not." It is easy to "discourage" children by constant nagging and heavy sarcasm. In some homes it is not surprising that children are irritated and resentful. How different it can be when parents carefully and prayerfully seek to "bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord" (Eph. 6:4).
Scripture Reading: Colossians 3:22 (KJV)
"Servant"
"Servant" is a mild and inadequate rendering of the original Greek, which indicates that the man was a slave; a bond-slave; absolute property of the man who owned him. It is the same word Paul used often when describing himself as the "servant [bond-slave] of Jesus Christ" (Rom. 1:1). Servants are given much sound advice in our present text. Consider some of the phrases used.
"Not with eyeservice"
A homely illustration from long ago will make this clear. When asked how she knew she had become a Christian, a house cleaner said, "Because I sweep under the mats now" – an excellent test. Some of us render service in the spirit that "what the eye doesn't see, the heart won't grieve over."
"Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not unto men."
This is not spiritual work, but the ordinary work required in the home or in the work place. If God were his earthly master then he would not be slack. Therefore, as Christians, let us work as if our Heavenly Father was our Master. Consider what is said about Joseph, "The Lord was with Joseph...and his master saw that the Lord was with him" (Gen. 39:2-3). No doubt there was a fidelity about the way he did his work that impressed Potiphar. May each one of us do our ordinary daily work in a like spirit.
"Ye serve the Lord Christ."
"Ye serve the Lord Christ." A poet said, "Who sweeps a room for the Lord's sake, the best job does make." The story is told of a young assistant who was minding the shop while the boss was out for lunch. A friend came in and suggested a shady transaction. The friend said, "It's all right; after all, your boss is not here." To which the young man replied, "My Boss is always here." Let us pursue our earthly occupation is always under His eye.
Scripture Reading: Colossians 4:1 (KJV)
"Masters, give...just and equal"
Masters, too, have their duties, to treat employees justly and fairly. It is not strange that this verse is the first of the fourth chapter, though it obviously belongs at the end of the third. It was not until the 13th century that Archbishop Stephen Langton (who also supervised the signing of the Magna Charta by King John) divided the Bible was into chapters. Incidentally, verse division waited another 300 years, eventually undertaken by a printer, Robert Stephens. However, we should not criticize such meticulous and immense labors. Labors that have proven to be of enormous assistance to us as we study God's Holy Word.
"also have a Master in heaven"
Returning to out text, the masters are to bear in mind that they "also have a Master in heaven," Who, without "respect of persons," oversees them and their workmen alike, watching the way the work is done and the way the master treats the laborer. Both are under the Great Taskmaster's eye. Here are the Divine directions, making for the Ideal Home – all members co-operating toward a desirable end.
"the Lord"
Consider that in our present text, "the Lord" is mentioned by that name seven times. Absolute lordship is His by blood bought right – over "mind and mouth and members", over heart, hands, home, everything. Actually, if you do not crown Him lord of all then in reality you do not crown Him Lord at all. In days gone by, the following words were often hung in many homes: "Christ is the Head of this house, The unseen Guest at every meal, The silent Listener to every conversation." In essence it is the same as the challenging testimony of Joshua in his farewell address to the people whom he had led into Canaan, "Choose you this day whom ye will serve...as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Josh. 24:15). Reminds us of one of the loveliest noises ever heard, "It was noised that He was in the house" (Mark 2:1) and attracted by that noise, many came and were blessed – happy the home if Christ is the Head.
