Colossians Chapter 1 Part Two

Colossians 1:13 

"Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated [us] into the kingdom of his dear Son:"

“Delivered us”: The Greek term means “to draw oneself” or “to deliver,” and refers to the believer’s spiritual liberation by God from Satan’s kingdom, which, in contrast to the realm of light with truth and purity, is the realm of darkness (Luke 22:53) with only deception and wickedness (1 John 2:9, 11).

“Kingdom”: In its basic sense, a group of people ruled by a king. More than just the future, earthly millennial kingdom, this everlasting kingdom (2 Pet. 1:11) speaks of the realm of salvation in which all believers live in current and eternal spiritual relationship with God under the care and authority of Jesus Christ (see Matt. 3:2).

“His dear son”: Matt. 3:17; 12:18; 17:5; Mark 1:11; 9:7; Luke 3:22; 9:35; Eph. 1:6; 2 Pet. 1:17; see John 17:23-26. The Father gave this kingdom to the Son He loves, as an expression of eternal love. That means that every person the Father calls and justifies is a love gift from Him to the Son. See John 6:37, 44.

“Darkness” is the religious state in which unbelievers exist, namely, that of spiritual ignorance with its attending immorality and misery.

In the last lesson, we began by speaking of how we are to walk in the Light of the Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior. Light does away with darkness. Darkness is the absence of Light. Darkness does not need a generator, Light demands a generator. The source of all power of Light is Jesus Christ who is the Light.

Darkness has no power over Light. Light destroys darkness. Before we come to Jesus, we are living in darkness. Paul was very familiar with this, because it was the Light of Jesus that stopped him in his tracks and turned him around. This power of darkness is the dominion of Satan. Satan cannot survive when the Light of the world is applied. Darkness is, and always has been, opposed to the Light.

Acts 26:18 "To open their eyes, [and] to turn [them] from darkness to light, and [from] the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me."

When we become a Christian, we are snatched away from Satan and become, immediately, sons of God.

Colossians 1:14 

"In whom we have redemption through his blood, [even] the forgiveness of sins:"

“Redemption”: The Greek word means “to deliver by payment of ransom,” and was used of freeing slaves from bondage. Here it refers to Christ freeing believing sinners from slavery to sin (Eph. 1:7; 1 Col. 1:30; see note on Rom. 3:24).

Some later manuscripts follow “redemption” with “through His blood.” Verse 20, a reference not limited to the fluid as if the blood had saving properties in its chemistry, but an expression pointing to the totality of Christ’s atoning work as a sacrifice for sin. This is a frequently used metonym in the New Testament (see Eph. 1:7; 2:13; Heb. 9:14; 1 Pet. 1:19).

The word “cross” (as in verse 20) is used similarly to refer to the whole atoning work (see 1 Cor. 1:18; Gal. 6:12, 14; Eph. 2:16). See Rom. 5:9.

“The forgiveness of sins”: The Greek word is a composite of two words that mean “to pardon” or “grant remission of a penalty.” Psalm 103:12; Mica 7:19; Eph. 1:7; see 2 Cor. 5:19-21.

“Blood” reminds the Colossians of the enormous price and sacrifice paid to secure their redemption. Redemption, then, is achieved by the atonement wrought by Jesus’ death (Eph. 1:7).

It was the precious shed blood of Jesus that abolished our sins. The blood of an animal in the sacrifices in the Old Testament, could not do away with sin, or clear the conscience of the sinner. The blood of an animal covered the sin. The precious blood of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, abolished sin for those who will believe.

Revelation 1:5 "And from Jesus Christ, [who is] the faithful witness, [and] the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,"

We will see in the following Scripture that Jesus paid the price for our sin, when He shed His blood on the cross to remove our sin.

Matthew 26:28 "For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."

This next Scripture says it all.

1 John 1:7 "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."

Verses 15-20: One component in the heresy threatening the Colossian church was the denial of the deity of Christ. Paul combats that damning element of heresy with an emphatic defense of Christ’s deity.

Colossians 1:15 

"Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:"

“Image of the invisible God”: See Heb. 1:3. The Greek work for “image” is eikon, from which the English word “icon” derives. It means, “copy” or “likeness.” Jesus Christ is the perfect image – the exact likeness – of God and is in the very form of God (Phil. 2:6; John 1:14; 14:9), and has been so from all eternity. By describing Jesus in this manner, Paul emphasizes that He is both the representation and manifestation of God. Thus, He is fully God in every way (2:9; John 8:58; 10:30-33; Heb. 1:8).

“First-born” here signifies two things: (1) Temporal priority. As the firstborn child in a family is born before his brother and sisters, similarly Christ existed before Creation. He existed before the universe was created. “And owing to the privileges usually given an oldest child, “first-born” also signifies:

(2) Positional priority. The firstborn in a family was customarily accorded more honor, greater authority, or large share of the inheritance, and so held a privileged position supreme over the universe. Therefore, when Paul declares Christ to be “the first-born of every creature,” the apostle does not mean that He is the first person whom God created; Paul instead means that Christ is earlier than, as well as preeminent in, all creation.

We are now looking at the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the image of the Father.

John 14:9 "Jesus saith unto him, have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? He that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou [then], Shew us the Father?"

This one Scripture lets us know that Jesus is the image of His Father. Jesus is the only begotten Son of the Father. You and I are sons of God through adoption. Jesus is Creator God. We are His creation.

Psalms 89:27 "Also I will make him [my] firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth."

The Spirit of God hovered over Mary and she conceived of the Spirit of God. Jesus was the firstborn Son of God. Christians are the sons of God being purchased for the Father with the precious shed blood of Jesus. God is a Spirit. He is, also, the presence of the greatest Light there is. Jesus is the reflection of the Father, not in the physical sense, but in the spiritual sense.

Colossians 1:16 

"For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:"

“Thrones, or dominions or principalities or powers”: 2:15; Rom. 8:38; Eph. 1:21; 3:10; 6:12; 1 Pet. 3:22; Jude 6). These are various categories of angels whom Christ created and rules over.
There is no comment regarding whether they are holy or fallen, since His is Lord of both groups.

The false teachers had incorporated into their heresy the worship of angels (see 2:18), including the lie that Jesus was one of them, Merely a spirit created by God and inferior to Him.

Paul rejected that and made it clear that angels, whatever their rank, whether holy or fallen, are mere creatures, and their Creator is none other than the preeminent One, the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The purpose of his catalog of angelic ranks is to show the immeasurable superiority of Christ over any being the false teachers might suggest.

“All things were created by him and for him”: Rom. 11:33-36; see notes on John 1:3; Heb. 1:2. As God, Jesus created the material and spiritual universe for His pleasure and glory.

This verse provides the reason Christ is called the “first-born” in verse 15. Paul’s rationale is that: Since “by him were all things created,” then (1) Christ must have existed before the universe, and (2) He must be greater than all He made.

“Thrones … dominions … principalities … powers” all refer to angelic beings (Eph. 1:21; 3:10). “Thrones” refer to angels who sit on thrones as rulers; “dominions” refer to domains or kingdoms over which these heavenly beings reign, “principalities” refer to rulers, and “powers” refer to angelic monarchs who wield regal power.

Since Christ created these various ranks of angels, He is supreme over them. Striking a blow at the Colossian heresy advocating angel worship (2:18), this text forbids Christians to pay homage to angels or other heavenly beings created by God.

As we said before, the One we call Jesus, who was the Word of God in heaven, is Creator God.

John 1:1-3 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." "The same was in the beginning with God." "All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made."

The universe, and everything in it, was created by the Lord. We see in the next verse why He created them.

Revelation 4:11 "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created."

God is Spirit, so we can see that it would not be just the things we can see with our physical eyes that He created. Actually, man is a spirit. We are made in the image of God, and if God is Spirit, then we are spirit. We live in a house of flesh, but the real person within that flesh is spirit.

We could get into a deep study here on the fact that all things that exist, are actually existing in His power. He gave all things, whether visible or invisible, the power to be. It is the Lord who really decides who will be president or king. This is one reason we must respect the office. Sometimes we cannot respect the officeholder, but we must respect the office.

It is a creation of the Word of God. All existence was in Him from the beginning. The purposes of God are sometimes carried through by those He has given power and authority on the earth.

Colossians 1:17 

"And he is before all things, and by him all things consist."

“He is before all things”: When the universe had its beginning, Christ already existed, thus by definition He must be eternal (Mica 5:2; John 1:1-2; 8:58; 1 John 1:1; Rev. 22:13).

“Consist”: Christ sustains the universe, maintaining the power and balance necessary to life’s existence and continuity (Heb. 1:3). That is, by Him all things are held together; Christ now preserves all that He made in Creation.

We read in Genesis, In the beginning God. This word used for God is covered in the following Scripture.

1 John 5:7 "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."

They are all the Spirit of God. Each is separate, but are all in total agreement in the Spirit. Notice, in the few words from Genesis, it says "in", not at. We are speaking of the great I Am. I Am, means, the Eternal One who exists. I Am is the present tense, but that present tense is for all of eternity.

God is God of those who live. We live, and move, and have our being in Jesus Christ our Lord. Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.

Colossians 1:18 

"And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all [things] he might have the preeminence."

“He is the head of the body” means, “He himself is the Head of the body.” The word himself translates the Greek intensive pronoun signifying that Jesus, rather than any angelic being, is the churches’ Head (leader).

Paul uses the human body as a metaphor for the church, of which Christ serves as the “head.” Just as a body is controlled from the brain, so Christ controls every part of the church and gives it life and direction (Eph. 4:15; 5:23 see 1 Cor. 12:4-27.

“Who is the beginning” (or, “He is the beginning”) justifies calling Jesus the Head of the church (verse 18a). Beginning means “cause,” “origin” as in Revelation 3:14. Why then, is He the church’s Head? Because His is the “origin” from which the church comes, or the “cause” of her existence; also, because He is “the first-born” from the dead, that is, the first of a new creation – the church – to be resurrected, never to die again.

“That in all things he might have the preeminence” (or, “so that in all things He alone has become preeminent”): Now that Jesus is Head of the church, He “alone” holds the preeminent position in both the first creation (the universe) and in the new creation (the church).

This refers to both source and preeminence. The church had its origins in the Lord Jesus (Eph. 1:4), and He gave life to the church through His sacrificial death and resurrection to become its Sovereign.

Thus Jesus should hold first place in the believer’s life. This occurs when one bows to His authority, obeys His Word, yields to His Spirit, submits to His church leaders, does His will, and bestows his chief affections on Him.

“The firstborn from the dead”: Jesus was the first chronologically to be resurrected, never to die again. Of all who have been or ever will be raised from the dead, and that includes all men (John 5:28-29), Christ is supreme.

The body of Christ is His church. Every believer in Christ is part of that body. Jesus is the first of the firstfruits. Because He arose, we shall rise, also. We are the inheritance of Jesus Christ. He has quickened our spirit to everlasting life in Him. Flesh and blood does not inherit the kingdom.

John 3:6 "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."

There is a natural body and there is a spiritual body. It is the spiritual body which makes up the body of Christ. We must bear in mind that He is the head, we make up the body.

 Verses 19-20: “For” gives two reasons for Jesus’ “pre-eminence” (verse 18): (1) all the “fullness” of deity is in Him. Since He is fully God, He ought to be preeminent. (2) By Christ’s death God reconciles the universe to Himself (verse 20).

Colossians 1:19 

"For it pleased [the Father] that in him should all fullness dwell;"

“All fullness dwell” a term likely used by those in the Colossian heresy to refer to divine powers and attributes they believed were divided among various emanations. Paul countered that by asserting that the fullness of deity – all the divine powers and attributes - was not spread out among created beings, but completely dwelt in Christ alone (2:9).

We will see in the next chapter of this book the following.

Colossians 2:9 "For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily."

Actually the Spirit of the Father, Word, and Holy Ghost were all caught up in the working of the Spirit within the body of Jesus. They all agreed on the plan of salvation, even at the beginning. Just as all 3 were present at the baptism of Jesus. Jesus, being baptized, the Voice from heaven saying this is my beloved Son (Father), and the Dove of the Holy Spirit which lit upon Jesus.

Their plans were being carried out in Jesus. They were all pleased with their plan in Him.

Colossians 1:20 

"And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, [I say], whether [they be] things in earth, or things in heaven."

“Reconcile all things unto himself”: The Greek word for “reconcile” means “to change” or “exchange.” Its New Testament usage refers to a change in the sinner’s relationship to
God. See Rom. 5:10; 2 Cor. 5:18-21. Man is reconciled to God when God restores man to a right relationship with Him through Jesus Christ.

An intensified form for “reconcile” is used in this verse to refer to the total and complete reconciliation of believers and ultimately “all things” in the created universe (Rom. 8:21; 2 Peter 3:10-13; Rev. 2:1). This text does not teach that, as a result, all will believe; rather it teaches that all will ultimately submit (Phil. 2:9-11).

“Having made peace”: See Roman 5:1. God and those He saved are no longer at enmity with each other.

“The blood of his cross”: See verse 14.

Jesus is the One who reconciles and He is the reconciliation, as well. The blood of Jesus Christ puts all who will believe in reconciliation with God. It is very difficult to separate Jesus from the Father here. Jesus opened the entrance to the Father when the veil was torn from top to bottom in the temple when He was crucified.

His blood makes it possible for all who believe to stand in front of Jesus (the Judge of the world) justified. In that sense, He reconciled us to himself and with the Father with His shed blood at Calvary.

We know, also, that Jesus is the King of Peace. To know that you are just as if you had never sinned (justified) would bring you perfect peace. Jesus (the Word) is Creator God. It is understandable that He would be the One to justify His creation. Since He created all things, He also justified all things.

Colossians 1:21 

"And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in [your] mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled"

“Alienated and enemies”: The Greek term for “alienated” means “estranged,” “cut off,” or “separated.” Before they were reconciled, all people were completely estranged from God (Eph. 2:12-13).

Unbelievers hate God and resent His holy standard because they love “evil deeds” (John 3:19-20; 15:18, 24-25). Actually, there is alienation from both sides, since God hates “all who do iniquity” (Psalm 5:5).

Reconciliation is the act whereby God, through Christ’s atonement, brings men who are at odds with Him back into a peaceful, proper relationship with Himself.

To be "alienated" is to be away from God. The mind is an enemy of God, before it is changed to the mind of Christ.

Romans 8:7 "Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be."

The carnal mind is enemy of God, because it is of the flesh. All of mankind had a fleshly nature, before they came to God. The mind of man is really not what the Lord Jesus wants He wants your heart. When our heart is stayed upon God, then the mind will follow.

Colossians 1:22 

"In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:"

“Reconciled (ending of verse 21) … death”: Christ’s substitutionary death on the cross that paid the full penalty for the sin of all who believe made reconciliation possible and actual. See 2 Cor. 5:18-21; Rom. 3:25; 5:9-10; 8:3). Also see verse 20.

“In the body of his flesh through death” (or, “by His fleshly body through death”): The Colossian heretics may have argued that Jesus’ humanity and death indicate His inferiority to the angelic beings in the universe. Paul turns this argument against them, showing that His death points to His superiority; for His death is the divine means of achieving reconciliation to God.

“To present you holy … in his sight” (or bring you holy … into His presence”): This expresses the ultimate purpose of reconciliation: it is to eventually usher the believer, made perfectly holy, into the heavenly presence of God.

“Holy” refers to the believer’s positional relationship to God – he is separated from sin and set apart to God by imputed righteousness. This is justification (see Romans 3:3:24-26; Phil. 3:8-9). As a result of the believer’s union with Christ in His death and resurrection, God considers Christians as holy as His Son (Eph. 1:4; 2 Cor. 5:21).

Christians are also “blameless” (without blemish) and “beyond reproach” (no one can bring a charge against them; (Rom. 8:33; Phil. 2:15). We are to be presented to Christ, when we meet Him, as a chaste bride (Eph. 5:25-27; 2 Cor. 11:2).

It was the body of the Lord Jesus Christ that suffered death for our sins. It is very important for them to realize that Jesus had a physical body. He suffered on the cross in His body of flesh, as you or I would suffer. We are without blemish, without blame, in fact justified by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus made us acceptable before the Father, when He washed us in His precious blood. It is Jesus who made us acceptable to stand before Himself as Judge of the world. He, also, opened the way to the Father for us.

Colossians 1:23 

"If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and [be] not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, [and] which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;"

“Continue in the faith”: Acts 11:23; 14:22. Those who have been reconciled will persevere in faith and obedience because, in addition to being declared righteous, they are actually made new creatures (2 Cor. 5:17) with a new disposition that loves God, hates sin, desires obedience, and is energized by the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 8:30-32; 1 John 2:19).

Rather than defect from the gospel they heard, true believers will remain solid on Christ who is the only foundation (1 Cor. 3:11), and faithful by the enabling grace of God (Phil. 1:6; 2:11-13).

“Preached to every creature”: Mark 16:15. The gospel has no racial boundaries. Having reached Rome, where Paul was when he wrote Colossians, it had reached the center of the known world.

“If ye continue in the faith” (or, “since you will persevere in the faith”): the Colossians’ future entrance into God’s heavenly presence depends on whether they remain in the Christian faith. The words “since you will persevere” indicate that they will remain loyal to Christ. Perseverance in the Christian’s faith is a test of the reality on one’s trust in Christ. This verse implies that true believers will persevere.

Paul is expressing the fact that they must continue in the faith they have received. The only way to be "grounded and settled”; is to study the Bible, and have faith in it.

Paul says, that the Word of God had been preached to every human. Probably, this means the known world at that time. It could even mean the world around Israel. Paul is saying, he has done all he could to spread the Word to all of humanity.

Colossians 1:24 "Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:"

“My sufferings”: Paul’s present imprisonment (Acts 28:16, 30). Paul’s motivation for enduring suffering was to benefit and build Christ’s church. (Phil. 1:13, 29; 12:9-10.

“Fill up that which is behind”: Paul was experiencing the persecution intended for Christ. In spite of His death on the cross, Christ’s enemies had not gotten their fill of inflicting injury on Him. So they turned their hatred on those who preached the gospel (John 15:18, 24; 16:1-3). It was in that sense that Paul filed up what was lacking in Christ’s affliction (see notes on 2 Cor. 1:5; Gal. 6:17).

“The afflictions of Christ:” Since Paul is a member of the body of Christ; the Lord Himself suffers when His apostle suffers. These afflictions are more Christ’s that Paul’s. Rather than detracting from his ministry, Paul’s afflictions actually enhanced it, as they exist “for his body’s sake, which is the church.”

Paul counted it a pleasure to suffer for Christ. He was willing to suffer so that these Colossians could know the truth. The body, in the verse above, is the body of Christ, the church.

Colossians 1:25 

"Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God;"

“Dispensation” meaning stewardship: 1 Cor. 4:1-2; 9:17. A steward was a slave who managed his master’s household, supervising the other servants, dispensing resources, and handling business and financial affairs. Paul viewed his ministry as a stewardship from the Lord.

The church is God’s household (1 Tim. 3:16), and Paul was given the task of caring for, feeding, and leading the churches, for which he was accountable to God (Heb. 13:17). All believers are responsible for managing the abilities and resources God gives them. (see 1 Peter 4:10).

The expression “according to the dispensation of God” might be rendered “because of the divine assignment.” Paul was a “minister” or servant to the church because of the divine assignment given him.

That assignment was “to fulfill the word of God,” that is, to preach the gospel over a wide geographical area, winning converts to Christianity. The Greek word translated here as “fulfill”: is rendered in Romans 15:19 as “fully preached.”

“Fulfill the word of God”: This refers to Paul’s single-minded devotion to completely fulfill the ministry God gave him to preach the whole counsel of God to those to whom God sent him (Acts 20:27; 2 Tim. 4:7).

Colossians 1:26 

"[Even] the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:"

“Mystery” is the divine truth which, because it is too profound for man to discover and comprehend without help, was previously unknown but is now disclosed to man by God through His apostles and prophets. 2:2; 4:3. See notes on Matt. 13:11; 1 Cor. 2:7; Eph. 3:4-5. This refers to truth, hidden until now, but revealed for the first time to the saints in the New Testament.

Such truth includes the mystery of the incarnate God (2:2, 3, 9), Israel’s unbelief (Rom. 11:25), lawlessness (2 Thess. 2:7), the unity of Jew and Gentile made one in the church (Eph. 3:3-6), and the rapture of the church (1 Cor. 15:51). In this passage, the mystery is specifically identified in verse 27.

1 Corinthians 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; To those who do not accept Jesus as their Saviour, it is foolishness.

Colossians 1:27 

"To whom God would make known what [is] the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:"

“Gentiles … Christ in you”: The Old Testament predicted the coming of the Messiah and that the Gentiles would partake of salvation (Isa. 42:6; 45:21-22; 49:6; 52:10; 60:1-3; Psalms 22:67; 65:5; 98:2-3), but it did not reveal that the Messiah would actually live in each member of His redeemed church, made up mostly of Gentiles.

That believers, both Jew and gentile, now possess the surpassing riches of the indwelling Christ is the glorious revealed mystery (John 14:23; Rom. 8:9-10; Gal. 2:20; Eph. 1:7, 17-18; 3:8-10, 16-19).

The specific mystery here is “Christ in you.” It was no secret in the Old Testament that Gentiles would be saved; but that Christ would dwell in Gentile converts was unknown at that time. In further explaining this “mystery” Paul equates “Christ in you” with “the hope of glory.”

“The hope of glory”: The indwelling Spirit of Christ is the guarantee to each believer of future glory that is, for a Christian it is the joyful and confident expectation of salvation. (Rom. 8:29; Eph. 1:13-14; 1 Peter 1:3-4).

“Glory” here refers to the glorious state to be enjoyed by the believer in heaven. Thus the hope of glory refers to the certainty of heaven. That Christ’s life, character, virtues, values, thoughts, attitudes, and deeds are present in a Christian is evidence that he is headed toward glory (heaven).

It is the will of God for those who believe in Jesus Christ to receive the knowledge of the mystery, which is, Christ in you, and is your hope of Glory. We have discussed before that what really happens when a Christian is baptized is, he is buried in a watery grave and rises to new life in Jesus.

The life that this Christian lives after he, or she has received Jesus, is actually Jesus living in them. The Christian is dead to the lust of the world through the desires of the flesh. They are now quickened in their spirit to everlasting life in Jesus Christ. The hope is in the resurrection.

Colossians 1:28 

"Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:"

“Perfect”: To be perfect or mature – to be like Christ. See Romans 8:29; Phil. 3:12-14, 19-20; 1 John 2:6; 3:2. This spiritual maturity is defined in 2:2.

This is what I call making Jesus Christ Lord of your life. We are not perfect in the flesh, but in the spirit. The Christ in us is perfect. We have put on Christ, as well as having Him inside of us.

Not only that, but He has clothed us in a white linen garment (free from sin) washed in His blood. We have put on His righteousness.

Colossians 1:29 

"Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily."

“I also labor, striving according to his working”: Here is the balance of Christian living. Paul gave the effort to serve and honor God with all his might. “Labor” refers to working to the point of exhaustion. The Greek work for “striving” give us the English word “agonize” and refers to the effort required to compete in an athletic event.

At the same time, he knew the effective “striving” or work, with spiritual and eternal result was being done by God through him (see Phil. 2:11-13; 1 Cor. 15:10, 58).

This is simply saying, Paul desires them to have the same relationship with the Lord Jesus that he has. He worked hard to win them all to Christ. His striving was not for his own benefit, but for the benefit of the people he preached to. Paul knows that even the desire to help them, is Christ in him wanting to help them.

Ephesians Chapter 6 Part One

Ephesians 6:1 

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right."

“Obey … in the Lord”: See Col. 3:20. The child in the home is to be willingly under the authority of parents with obedient submission to them as the agents of the Lord placed over him, obeying parents as if obeying the Lord Himself. The reasoning here is simply that such is the way God has designed and required it (“right”) (Hosea 14:9).

“Children” does not refer particularly to your children but to all offspring. Sons and daughters still under their parents’ roof are to obey and honor them. Obey has to do with action, and honor has to do with attitude.

Although men and women are no longer under the authority of their parents once they themselves marry (5:31), special respect and concern for their parents should continue as long as they live. The child who is brought up to obey and honor his parents will always be sensitive to their wisdom, counsel and welfare.

The first step in promulgating God’s truth was to pass it on to their children. “And you shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up” Deut.19:7.

Parents were to continually speak about the things of God, so that knowledge and love of Him would become a matter of life and breathe for the family. When the parents were not speaking the testimony would continue. It is God’s plan for His Word to be passed on from one generation to the next. And His primary agent is the family.

“In the Lord”: This phrase grammatically does not modify “parents,” for this would mean that only Christian parents are to be obeyed. Rather the phrase goes with “obey,” that is, obey those parental instructions, whether from Christian or non-Christian parents, that are in line with the Lord’s will.

Notice, “obey your parents in the Lord”. One of the lessons most important to the spiritual growth of a child is to teach them to obey the Lord.

Obedience to the Lord is taught a child in obedience to his parents who are in the Lord. Disobedient children are a problem to themselves, their parents, and to the Lord.

Verse 2-3: “Honor” means have inward respect and reverence for. It is inadequate for children to obey parents only outwardly, verse 1; they must also respect or honor them inwardly. “Which is the first commandment with promise” (or, “for this is the first command with promise”):

The fifth of the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:3-17 is the very first of all God’s Old Testament injunctions to be given that possesses an attached promise. The promise is twofold: honoring and obeying parents ensures a long and a prosperous life upon earth.

While verse 1 speaks of action, this term speaks of attitude, as Paul deals with the motive behind the action. When God gave His law in the Ten Commandments, the first law governing human relationships was this one (Exodus 20:12; Deut. 5:16). It is the only command of the 10 that relates to the family because that principle alone secures the family’s fulfillment. Proverbs affirms this principle.

Ephesians 6:2 

"Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;"

The right attitude behind the right act of obedience is honor (Timao), which means to value highly, to hold in the highest regard and respect. In both its verb and noun forms the word is often used as a term of reverence, preciousness, and honor regarding God the Father and Christ.

“Honor thy father and mother” is the only commandment of the ten that relates to the family, because that on principle alone, when obeyed, is enough to secure the right relationship of children to their parents. A person who grows up with a sense of respect for and obedience to his parents will have the foundation for respecting the authority of other leaders and the rights of other people in general.

"Honor" means to have high regard for those in authority above you. The reason they are over you, is because it is by God's plan for them to be over you. Children are to honor both their father and mother, to hold them in the highest possible respect.

“The first commandment with promise”: Although submission to parents should first of all be for the lord’s sake, He has graciously added the promise of special blessing for those who obey this command (Deut. 5:16). “Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.”

Respect for parents is of such grave importance to God that Moses commanded, “He who strikes his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.” And “He who curse his father or his mother shall surely be put to death” (Exodus 21:15; Lev. 20:9). Either to physically or verbally abuse a parent was a capital offense in ancient Israel.

If your parents were to go completely against God teachings, then your first obligation would be to keep God's law. Children who respect and obey their parents will build a society that is ordered, harmonious and productive. A generation of undisciplined, disobedient children will produce a society that is chaotic and destructive.

Honor of parents encompasses providing for them when they can no longer provide for themselves. Just as parents spend twenty or so years taking care of and providing for their children, their children are to spend whatever time and money is necessary to care and provide for their parents should the parents be no longer able to do so for themselves.

Ephesians 6:3 

"That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth."

The command to honor your father and mother in 6:2 is two fold. That it may be well with you relates to the quality of life, and that you may live long on the earth relates to the quantity of life promised.

The original promise was to Israel and involved many tangible, physical and earthly blessings. Paul’s reference here shows that it also extends to believers today. Though its blessings may not always be tangible, a family where children and parents live in mutual love and submission will have rich, God given harmony and satisfaction that other families can never know.

We find in Christian families that parents are very interested in their children's welfare. Children, who honor their parents, can learn from the parent’s experiences. Children, who are obedient to parents, do not get on drugs and alcohol. They stay in school and do well.

If parents, that are much older and more experienced, cannot fulfill their responsibilities without being saved and being filled with the Holy Spirit, how much less can children be expected to fulfill their responsibilities without those spiritual requirements?

Discipline follows in their life and they become responsible adults. Discipline and success go hand in hand.

Children are just as much commanded to “be filled with the Spirit” (5:18) and to “be subject to one another in the fear of Christ” (5:21) as the husbands and wives of 5:22-23 and the parent of 6:4.

Ephesians 6:4 

"And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."

The first command to parents by Paul is negative: fathers, provoke not your children to wrath. That was a totally new concept for Paul’s day, especially in such pagan strongholds such as Ephesus. As most families were in shambles, mutual love among family members was almost unheard of. A father’s love for his children would have been hard even to imagine.

“Fathers”: The word technically refers to male parents, but was also used of parents in general. Since Paul had been speaking of both parents, verses 1-3, he probably had both in mind here. The same word is used in Hebrews 11:23 for Moses’ parents.

“Provoke not”: In the pagan world of Paul’s day, and even in many Jewish households, most fathers ruled their families with rigid and domineering authority. The desires and welfare of wives and children were seldom considered. By Roman law, a father had virtual life and death power not only over his slaves but over his entire household. He could cast any of them out of the house, sell them as slaves, or even kill them, and be accountable to no one.

Harvard University sociologists Sheldon and Eleanor Glueck developed a test that proved to be 90% accurate, to determine whether or not 5 and 6 year olds would become delinquent. They discovered that the four primary factors necessary to prevent delinquency are: the father’s firm, fair, and consistent discipline; the mother’s supervision and companionship during the day; the parents’ demonstrated affection for each other and for the children; and the family’s spending time together in activities where all participated.

The apostle makes clear that a Christian father’s authority over his children does not allow for unreasonable demands and strictures that might drive his children to anger, despair and resentment.

“Nurture and admonition of the Lord”: This calls for systematic discipline and instruction, which brings children to respect the commands of the Lord as the foundation of all of life, godliness and blessing (Prov. 13:24; Heb. 12:5-11).

“Fathers” can “provoke” their “children to wrath” by injustice, loss of temper, undue severity, cruelty, discouragement, overprotection, favoritism, pushing achievement beyond reasonable bounds, suppression, sarcasm, ridicule, and misuse or abuse of authority. “Nurture” basically means “training,” here denoting spiritual education. “Admonition” is instruction that points out one’s responsibilities and duties.

“Of the Lord” is in Greek a subjective genitive. This indicates that behind the parents’ rearing and instruction of their children stands the Lord as the chief teacher in child education. Parents do not rear children alone.

Parents must discipline their children in love. To be hateful and short with children is setting a bad example for them. Parents should be loving and caring for their children. Criticism of children makes them feel discouraged. Parents should encourage them every chance they get.

Parents who are unstable tend to have unstable children. Parents who are disciplined loving people have disciplined loving children. The most important thing to teach a child is the love of God. They can always depend on God, even when things are going bad in their life.

The key to right discipline and instruction of children is its being of the Lord. Everything parents do for their children is to be of Him, according to the teaching of His Word, by the guidance and power of His Holy Spirit, in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and to His own glory and honor.

Ephesians 6:5 

"Servants, be obedient to them that are [your] masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;"

In this passage Paul continues to deal with the practical effects of the Spirit filled life (5:18), without which none of God’s righteous standards can be met, including those with regular working relationships. Verses 5-8 teach about the submission of slave, or workers, and verse 9 teaches about the submission of master, or employers.

Servants, be obedient”: Servants (Greek meaning doulas or slaves). Slaves in both Greek and Roman culture had no rights legally and were treated as commodities. Roman citizens came to look on work as beneath their dignity and the entire empire gradually came to function largely by slave power. Slaves were bought, sold, traded, used, and discarded as heartlessly as if they were animals or tools. There was much abuse and seldom good treatment of slaves. The Bible does not speak against slavery itself, but against its abuses (Exodus 21:16, 26-27; Lev. 25:10; Deut. 23:15-16).

Paul’s admonition applies equally well to all employees. The term “obedient” refers to continuous, uninterrupted submission to one’s earthly master or employer, the only exception being in regard to a command that involves clear disobedience of God’s Word as illustrated in Acts. 4:19-20.

Because the command of mutual submission is possible only to the Spirit filled believer, Paul is addressing Christian slaves, just as he later addresses Christian masters, verse 9. He calls them to have the right behavior, the right perspective, the right attitude, and the right commitment that reflect their right relationship to God through Jesus Christ.

“Your masters according to the flesh” means “your human masters.” Servants are to carry out their slave duties “with fear and trembling,” that is, with careful concern to do a good job and with referential respect for their masters. Believers are not to obey simply when they desire to or when their employers are fair and reasonable. They are to obey in everything and at all times, the only exception being when they are instructed to do something immoral, idolatrous, blasphemous, or the like.

The first obligation of a Christian is to please his Lord and to be a faithful testimony to Him. One way to do this, Paul tells us, is to give willing obedience to those under whom you work, regardless of who they are or what their character is like. Being a Christian should always make a person a better, more productive and more agreeable worker. People will not be inclined to listen to the testimony of a Christian who does shoddy, careless work or who is constantly complaining.

“Singleness of your heart” refers to a mental disposition, and attitude that renders obedience out of sincerity, not hypocrisy. “As unto Christ” explains why servants should obey masters in the manner prescribe here: obedience rendered to their masters is obedience rendered to Christ.

We must be careful to see in this that the servant is a servant in the flesh. To keep your job and to advance in that job would be more likely, if you were obedient to your boss. Sincere loyalty toward an employer, not just lip service, will make you an employee who never has to look for a job. How a believer works in his job reflects on His Lord, regardless of who his human master or employer may be.

The boss rewards such loyalty. One thing in our society that I believe this is leading to, is after you have agreed to work for a certain sum of money for a certain time, do not go back and renegotiate. Be true to your own word.

Verses 6-7: God’s credits and rewards will be appropriate to the attitude and action of our work. No good thing done for His glory will go unrewarded.

Ephesians 6:6 

"Not with eyeservice as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;"

“Eye service”: Working well only when being watched by the boss.

“Men-pleasers”: Working only to promote one’s welfare, rather than to honor the employer and the Lord, whose servants we really are.

“Singleness of heart” or sincere disposition excludes “eye service,” that is, duty performed only when the master is watching; but it includes “doing the will of God from the heart,” that is, enthusiastic service coming from within and not having to be coerced by external pressure.

This is just saying again, that you should be loyal to your boss. The heart is what makes you loyal to your boss. This is saying the person is loyal when the boss is looking, and then he is sneaking around and doing things he should not when the boss is not looking.

This person does not need to be checked up on, because he always does his work to the best of his ability, whether or not anyone else is around. And he works just as hard when he is passed over for a raise or promotion as when he is being considered for them.

All of us, whether we are servants, or the boss, will stand before the Judge of the entire world to be judged. We can have no secrets from Him. He knows even the thoughts we have. If you find yourself in a position of serving, be the very best servant you can possibly be. Do it as if you were serving God.

Ephesians 6:7 

"With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:"

“Good will” means “good intention.” The Christian servant (employee) seeks the best interests of his master (employer). This reinforces what Paul has just said. With good will expresses the attitude of the worker who does not need prompting or compelling. When a Christian is where God wants him to be and is obedient to render service, as to the Lord, that is the most challenging, productive, and rewarding place to be.

We will be judged by what we did in the position the Lord put us. Everything we do in this life is as unto the Lord. Whatever position you are in, if you are a Christian, you are there because that is where God wants you for the moment.

You really are doing the job for yourself, your boss, and for God. To be the head of the company, it is better if you start at the bottom and work yourself up, because then you know the functions of all the jobs.

Every day should be a day of service to the Lord. “Whatever your hand finds to do”, Solomon tells us, “do it with all your might” (Eccles. 9:10-11). In his letter to Rome, Paul tells us not to lag behind in diligence but to be “fervent in spirit, serving the Lord” (12:11), and in Colossians, “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men” (3:23). That is the work attitude of the Spirit filled Christian.

Ephesians 6:8 

"Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether [he be] bond or free."

The basis for the servant’s “good intention”, verse 7, toward his master is his being recompensed by the Lord, both in this life and in the one to come – “the same” good he has performed in his servant duties.

The rewards for every job well done, is given in heaven. The boss will be judged, and so will the servant. Each person must give an account unto God. Those who have more are judged more harshly, than those who have less to do with. Lay up your treasures in heaven.

God’s credits and rewards are always dependable and always appropriate. An employer may not appreciate or even be aware of the good work done, perhaps because he is indifferent or because someone else takes credit for what is done. But God knows and God rewards. No good thing done in His name and for His glory can pass His notice or fail to receive His blessing.

Ephesians 6:9 

"And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him."

“Ye masters, do the same things unto them”: There should be mutual honor and respect from Christian employers to the employees, based on their common allegiance to the Lord.

A Christian employer’s relationship to his employees should have the same motivation and goal as a Christian worker’s relationship to his employer: the desire to obey and please the Lord. An employer is to use his authority “as to the Lord,” just as workers are to submit to authority “as to the Lord.” That is an expression of their mutual submission in being “subject to one another in the fear of Christ” (5:21).

“Forbearing threatening”: The Spirit filled boss uses his authority and power with justice and grace, never putting people under threats, never abusive or inconsiderate. He realizes that he has a heavenly Master who is impartial (Acts 10:34; Rom. 2:11; James 2:9).

The Spirit filled employer is careful to give up threatening. The term used suggests the idea of loosening up, or releasing. He uses his authority and power as little as possible and does not throw his weight around or lord it over those under him. He is never abusive or inconsiderate.

Earthly masters are to behave in a reciprocal manner toward their slaves, (i.e., with respect, sincerity and careful concern). For earthly masters have a heavenly Master who will judge them without partiality.

He realizes that his own authority, though God given, is strictly functional and temporary. He knows that he and his workers alike are under the supreme authority of God, that their Master and his is not on earth but in heaven. The faithful Christian employer knows that he is a fellow servant of Jesus Christ with his employees, and is accountable to the same Master.

Everyone has someone over them. Someone who is in charge on the earth will have to answer to His boss in heaven. We will receive the same type of treatment that we have treated others with. We are all servants of Christ.

Kindness to servants gets much more work done than harsh treatment. The master will have to give an account to Jesus the same as the servant. God is not a respecter of persons. Use what God has given you to the best of your ability, and be kind to others around you in the doing, and great will be your reward in heaven.

Verses 10-17: The true believer described in chapters 1-3 who lives the Spirit controlled life of 4:1 – 6:9, can be sure to be in a spiritual war, as described here. Paul closed this letter with both warning about that war and instructions on how to win it. The Lord provides His saints with sufficient armor to combat and thwart the adversary.

In verses 10-13, the apostle briefly sets forth the basic truths regarding the believer’s necessary spiritual preparation as well as truths regarding his enemy, his battle and his victory. In verses 14-17, he specifies the six most necessary pieces of spiritual armor with which God equips His children to resist and overcome Satan’s assaults.

Ephesians 6:10 

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might

The Christian who continually seeks to grow in his knowledge of and obedience to the Word and to serve the Lord more faithfully will not find ministry becoming easier. As the Lord gives mastery over certain temptations and weaknesses, Satan will attack elsewhere. Faithful witnessing, preaching, teaching, visiting and every other service for the Lord not only will bring victories but will also bring their own special difficulties and opposition.

A Christian who no longer has to struggle against the world, the flesh, and the devil is a Christian who has fallen either into sin or into complacency. A Christian who has no conflict is a Christian who has retreated from the front lines of service.

“Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might”: (Phil. 4:13; 2 Tim. 2:1).

Basic to the effective Christian life is preparation. The unprepared believer becomes the defeated believer who seeks to serve the Lord in his own wisdom and power. The strength of the Christian life is dependence on God, being strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. Any other strength proves to be impotent.

The cardinal reality presented in the book of Ephesians is that as believers, we are in Christ and are one with Him. His life is our life, His power our power, His truth our truth, His way our way and, as Paul goes on to say here, His strength is our strength. The Lord’s strength is always more than sufficient for the battle. It is not the amount of the strength we have that is important, only its source.

Ultimately, Satan’s power over Christians is already broken and the great war is won through Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection, which forever conquered the power of sin and death (Rom. 5:18-21; 1 Cor. 15:56-57; Heb. 2:14).

However, in life on earth, the battle of temptation goes on regularly. The Lord’s power, the strength of His Spirit and the force of biblical truth are required for victory.

“Finally” may be rendered “from now on” or “henceforth.” The spiritual battle Christians are engaged in exists “from now on” until the Lord’s return: there is no quarter given, no cease fire, no temporary truce, and no cessation of hostilities.

“From now on” till the end there is all out war. The remainder of the verse may be paraphrased, “Let yourselves constantly be strengthened by the Lord, more precisely, by His mighty power.”

We find that muscles are not what this is speaking of. This is speaking of the strength of the Lord working through you. Christians have great help in their endeavors on this earth. The Spirit of the risen Christ within us strengthens us to whatever task the Lord has for us to do.

Most of us find that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. God will not call you to do any job for Him, without equipping you with all that you need to do the job. Paul is speaking to believers here, because he says brethren.

To sum this lesson up, I would have to say that the Lord is telling all of us to be thoughtful of others around us, as we do the job at hand.

Sometimes wives feel useless, because they are not bringing in a paycheck. We should never feel that way, because there are many jobs around home that we can do to help the family progress. One of the greatest jobs a woman can do is to be a homemaker and mother.

Many of the great men in the ministry, such as John Wesley, were greatly influenced by godly mothers. We know that Timothy was greatly influenced by his mother and grandmother. One job is no less than someone else's job. We all must work together to get the job done that God wants us to do.

Husbands should respect the wife for sacrificing and becoming a servant to him and the family. If he had to pay someone to do her job, he would probably have to hire 3 or 4 people to fill his wife's shoes. Wives, on the other hand, should appreciate a husband who will go out and work and provide the financial needs of the family.

Our society has changed so that now many wives have to work outside the home to help with the family expenses. This lesson is just saying, whatever your job in life is, do it to the very best of your ability. If you are not rewarded on this earth, God will reward you in heaven.

Wives love and respect your husbands, husbands love your wives. Children listen to your parents and respect them. Parents love your children and guide them in love. Everyone, remember, you are really doing all these things as unto the Lord in heaven.

All of the instructions in this lesson to wives, husbands, children, and servants were all given, so that we might live peaceable, productive lives while here on earth. God was thinking of us, when He gave these instructions.

Colossians Chapter 1Part One

Colossians 1:1 

"Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus [our] brother,"

“Timotheus”: This is Timothy, Paul’s co-laborer and true child in the faith was able to be with him because, although Paul was a prisoner, he had personal living quarters (Acts 28:16-31).

In this very first verse, we see that Paul wrote the letter. Timothy was with Paul at the time of the writing and was in agreement with what was said. We have mentioned several times the qualifications of an apostle, and Paul fit every one of them. We do not question that Paul was, in fact, an apostle.

We also agreed that Paul was chosen by God to bring the gospel to the Gentiles in particular, and unto all mankind as opportunity arose. Timothy is spoken of as brother of Paul, when in fact; he was not related to Paul in the physical. He was a brother in the sense that all believers in Christ are brothers.

Colossians 1:2 

"To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace [be] unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."

“Saints”: Those who have been separated from sin and set apart to God – the believers in Colosse.

“Faithful”: A word used in the New Testament exclusively for believers.

“Colosse”: One of 3 cities in the Lycus River valley in the region of Phrygia, in the Roman province of Asia (part of modern Turkey), about 100 miles East of Ephesus.

“Grace … peace”: Paul’s greeting in all 13 of his epistles.

“Grace” is used in a number of different ways in the New Testament. It can refer to (1) God’s unmerited kindness on Calvary, which brings about man’s salvation (Eph. 2:8); (2) the state of grace in which the believer stands, that is, his being in God’s favor (Rom. 5:2); (3) an unusual blessing produced by divine grace (Eph. 3:8); (4) graciousness or attractiveness (4:6); and (5) “grace” can as here, mean God’s “stored-up help” dispensed to His people in times of need.

“Peace” is also employed in a variety of ways in Scripture: It can signify (1) the opposite of war (Rev. 6:4); (2) harmony and concord with others (Eph. 4:3); (3) health and welfare (1 Cor. 16:11); (4) salvation in that one is at peace with God (Rom. 5:1); and (5) as in this verse, “peace” sometimes denotes tranquility of mind that frees the Christian from fear and anxiety.

This letter was addressed to the people of the church in Colosse who had believed Jesus Christ to be their Savior. Here, again, we see that all believers are brothers in Christ. Paul's letters always start with grace. Grace is a free gift from God, which brings the peace spoken of here. The saints, spoken of here, have received this as a gift after believing in Jesus.

“Colosse” was located in the Roman province of Asia, 11 miles from Laodicea in the Lycus Valley. It lay on the main road from Ephesus heading east. Both Herodotus and Xenophon regarded it as a great city in the fifth century B.C., but during the first century Strabo described it as a third-rate town.

That Paul wrote an epistle to such a small community suggests the problem at Colossae must have been great. Colossae is mentioned only once (verse 2) in the New Testament. Paul seemingly had never seen the church (verse 4; 2:1), but it probably was established by one of his coworkers during his extensive ministry at Ephesus (Acts. 19:1).

We see honor given to the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ here. The name Lord Jesus Christ tells us who, and what, Jesus really is. He is our King, our Savior, the Messiah, and the Anointed One.

Colossians 1:3 

"We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,"

God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ”: This designation was often used to show that Jesus was one in nature with God, as any true son is with his father. It was an affirmation of Christ’s deity (Rom. 15:6; 2 Cor. 1; 11:13; Eph. 1:3; 3:14; 1 Pet. 1).

Paul always starts his letters on a positive note. This is no exception. They are in the constant prayers of Paul.

Colossians 1:4 

"Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love [which ye have] to all the saints,"

“Faith in Christ Jesus”: This is saving faith, see Rom. 1:16; 10:4-17; James 2:14-26).

“Love … to all the saints”: Verse 8. One of the visible fruits of true saving faith is love for fellow believers (John 13:34-35; Gal. 5:22 1 John 2:10; 3:14-16).

Evidence of a person’s faith in Christ Jesus is his love … to all the saints.

More than anything in the letter, this indicates that Paul might not have founded the church here. It is as if he is saying, all that he knows about this church is what he has heard others saying. The things Paul mentions here that he has heard are good things.

The very first thing is that they have set their faith in Jesus Christ. It appears, also, that this is a church of great love for God and for all of the believers.

Colossians 1:5 

"For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;"

“Hope” is salvation, as it refers to the object for which one hopes. The believer’s hope is inseparable from his faith. See Romans 5:2; 1 Peter 1:3-5.

“The gospel”: See Rom. 1:1. The Greek word literally means “good news,” and was used in classical Greek to express the good news of victory in a battle. The gospel is the good news of Christ’s victory over Satan, sin, and death.

“Word of the truth of the gospel”: could be rendered as “the message of the gospel which is true.” This is meant to contradict the Colossian heresy: unlike its false teaching or “vain deceit” (2:8), the gospel is true indeed.

The hope is of the resurrection to eternal life in heaven. Paul says here, you have been taught the truth of the gospel and you believed. Paul has commented on their faith and love, and both of these are things that will get them to heaven.

Colossians 1:6 

"Which is come unto you, as [it is] in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as [it doth] also in you, since the day ye heard [of it], and knew the grace of God in truth:"

“In all the world”: Verse 23, “all creation under heaven.” The gospel was never intended for an exclusive group of people; it is good news for the whole world (Matthew 24:14; 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Rom. 1:8, 14, 16; 1 Thess. 1:8). It transcends all ethnic, geographic, cultural, and political boundaries.

“Fruit”: Refers to the saving effect of gospel preaching and to the growth of the church. See  Rom. 1:13; Phil. 1:22; Matt. 13:3-8, 31-32).

The universal spread and effectiveness of the gospel verify the assertion in verse 5 that it is the truth. The Colossian heresy is merely local; while the gospel has come to the Colossians, it has gone beyond them “in the entire world”. And it bringeth forth fruit: that is, when embraced by faith, the gospel produces godly character and noble conduct in its converts.

This same gospel had been taught in all the known world of that time. Actually, love is a fruit that was brought forth by their faith in Jesus. Wherever this gospel is preached in the entire world, it produces fruit.

Galatians 1:11 "But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man."

The good news of the gospel is not a man-made belief, but comes from God Himself. Christianity is contagious. In the beginning it spread very rapidly. This happened in part because of the many eyewitnesses to Jesus. We see that many times thousands were saved in one day.

Acts 2:41 "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added [unto them] about three thousand souls."

Paul is saying, these people at Colosse have been very productive in bringing in new Christians ever since they heard the gospel themselves.

Colossians 1:7 

"As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;"

“Epaphras” evangelized the Colossians with the gospel and planted the church in their city. In describing Epaphras here in such glowing terms as “our dear fellow servant” and “for you a faithful minister of Christ,” Paul puts his apostolic stamp of approval on this saint’s life, ministry, and gospel.

The implication to the readers: Surely you will not forsake Epaphras’ gospel and pastoral care in exchange for the doctrine of the local heretics, will you?

Now we see that Epaphras was one of the ministers who had brought the truth of the gospel to the church here. Paul speaks highly of Epaphras, who had served with Paul on some of his missionary journeys. He had ministered here being sent by Paul. He had worked with Paul, and the message was the same as Paul's.

Paul is saying that Epaphras brings a true message of the gospel of Christ.

Colossians 1:8 

"Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit."

“Your love in the Spirit” (or, your love by the Spirit): that is, the Holy Spirit instilled and nurtured in the Colossian Christians affection for others.

It seems as though it was Epaphras who had told Paul of the great love of these people. Spirit, here, is speaking of the Holy Spirit. None of us know how to truly love, until the Spirit comes and teaches us how to love. Man's love is because. God's love is in spite of.

Colossians 1:9 

"For this cause we also, since the day we heard [it], do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;"

“Wisdom” is an accurate perception into the true nature of things.

“Understanding” is the skillful application of this wisdom in practical situations.

“The knowledge of his will”: The Greek word for “knowledge” is the usual one, with an added preposition that intensifies its meaning. This is not an inner impression or feeling, but a deep and thorough knowledge of the will of God that is finally and completely revealed in the Word of God (3:16; Eph. 5:17; 1 Thess. 4:3; 5:18; 1 Tim. 2:4; 1 Pet. 2:13, 15; 4:19).

“Wisdom and understanding”: “Spiritual” modifies both “wisdom” (the ability to accumulate and organize principles from Scripture) and “understanding” (the application of those principles to daily living).

We have mentioned so many times in these lessons, that wisdom is a gift from God and knowledge is accumulated learning. The way we can learn of God's will, is to study His Holy Word. Then, Paul is saying, he had prayed that they would study God's Word and find out what God's will for their lives is.

This spiritual understanding, here, is speaking of being guided into all truth by the Holy Spirit of God.

Colossians 1:10 

"That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;"

“Walk … worthy”: This is a key New Testament concept which calls the believer to live in a way that is consistent with his identification with the Lord who saved him.

“Being fruitful in every good work”: See Rom. 1:13; Phil. 4:17. Spiritual fruit is the by-product of a righteous life. The Bible identifies spiritual fruit as leading people to Christ (1 Cor. 16:15), praising God (Heb. 13:15), giving money (Rom. 15:26-28); living a godly life (Heb. 12:11), and displaying holy attitudes (Gal. 5:22-23).

“Increasing in the knowledge of God”: Spiritual growth cannot occur apart from this knowledge (1 Pet. 2:2; 2 Pet. 3:18).

The evidences of spiritual growth include a deeper love for God’s Word (Psalm 119:97), a more perfect obedience (1 John 2:3-5), a strong doctrinal foundation (1 John 2:12-14), and expanding faith (2 Thess. 1:3; 2 Cor. 10:5), and a greater love for others (Phil. 1:9).

This verse expresses the reason that in verse 9 Paul wants the Colossians to obtain knowledge of God’s will. It is that they may “walk” (live) properly and fully please God. In Greek the four explanatory participles of verses 10b-12 spell out and precisely define what a “worthy” walk entails: the believer is:

(1) “fruitful in every good work,” productive in Christian service; (2) constantly “increasing in the knowledge of God,” Ever coming to know the Lord better; (3) always “strengthened with all might,” becoming spiritually stronger and stronger; and (4) in the habit of giving thanks, sincerely expressing gratitude to God in both the pleasant and unpleasant experiences in his life.

To obey God's will in our life pleases God. When we become a new creature in Christ through accepting Jesus as Savior, we are expected of God to walk in that newness of life. The only way we can walk worthy is to allow Jesus to live and walk in us.

We must be fruit bearers. God expects every Christian to produce other Christians. The best way to do all of this is to stay in the study of God's Word and accumulate His knowledge in us.

Colossians 1:11 

"Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;"

“Strengthened with all might”: See Eph. 3:16-20.

“Patience and longsuffering”: These terms are closely related and refer to the attitude one has during trials.

“Patience” looks more at enduring difficult circumstance and persevering through problems, trails, tribulations, and so forth.

While “longsuffering” looks at enduring difficult people and forbearing the faults and offenses of others.

It is the power of God within which strengthens the inner man. The power of the Holy Spirit within produces the patience, longsuffering, and joyfulness.

Colossians 1:12 

"Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:"

“Made us” means “qualified us to”. The Greek word for “qualified” means “to make sufficient,” “to empower,” or “to authorize.” God qualifies us only through the finished work of the Savior. Apart from God’s grace through Jesus Christ, all people would be qualified only to receive His wrath.

“Inheritance”: Literally “for the portion of the lot.” Each believer will receive his own individual portion of the total divine inheritance (see Romans 8:17), an allusion to the partitioning of Israel’s inheritance in Canaan (Num. 26:52-56; 33:1-54; Jos. 14:1-2). See 1 Peter 1:3-5.

“In light”: Scripture represents “light” intellectually as divine truth (Psalm 119:130) and morally as divine purity (Eph. 5:8-14; 1 John 1:5). The saint’s inheritance exists in the spiritual realm of truth and purity where God Himself dwells (1 Tim. 6:16). Light, then, is a synonym for God’s kingdom. John 8:12; 2 Cor. 4:6; Rev. 21:23; 22:5.

This verse also might be translated “thanking the Father, for He made us fit to share in the salvation belonging to the saints who are in the light.”

“Light” is the ethical condition in which God’s children live, namely, that of spiritual understanding, with its accompanying morality and happiness.

It is the Father through Jesus Christ our Lord which makes us acceptable unto Him. The righteousness of Christ puts us in right standing with the Father. Jesus is the Light of the world.

Acts 26:18 "To open their eyes, [and] to turn [them] from darkness to light, and [from] the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me."

Our inheritance is in Jesus. We receive the inheritance because of our faith.

Hebrews 9:15 "And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions [that were] under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance."

John 8:12 "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."

We are in Light, if we are Christians, because we are in Jesus and He is the Light.