Epistle to the Colossians
Concise Bible Dictionary:
This is generally believed to have been written by Paul during his two years’ imprisonment at Rome (A.D. 61-2), notwithstanding that Meyer and other critics refer it to the imprisonment of Paul at Caesarea. The personal glory of Christ as head of the body, the church, is specially brought out. The hope before the saints is in heaven: they are viewed as risen, but not seated in the heavenlies in Christ, as in the Epistle to the Ephesians. The life of the new man is dwelt on, but the Holy Spirit is only once mentioned: “your love in the Spirit.”
After the salutation, and thanking God for what Paul had heard of their faith (for apparently he had not been to Colosse) he at once prays for them that they might be filled with the full knowledge of God’s will; might walk worthy of the Lord, pleasing Him in all things; and might be strengthened with all power (Col. 1: 9-11). Then he gives thanks for what God had done for them, which is true of all Christians (Col. 1:12-1412Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: (Colossians 1:12‑14)). The glories of Christ follow: as man, and as the Creator-God: He is head of the body, the church (Col. 1:15-1915Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16For 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: 17And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18And 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. 19For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; (Colossians 1:15‑19)). All fullness was pleased to dwell in Him, and by Him, to reconcile all things to Himself (or itself), having made peace through the blood of His cross: the saints were already reconciled if they continued in the faith (which would prove their reality) (Col. 1:20-2420And, 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. 21And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: 23If 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; 24Who 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: (Colossians 1:20‑24)). Paul had a double ministry: in the gospel (Col. 1:2323If 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; (Colossians 1:23)); and in the church (Col. 1:2525Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; (Colossians 1:25)). His sufferings in his body filled up the (non-atoning) sufferings of Christ; and the revelation he had, concerning the mystery of the church, filled up the word of God (not as to time, for some portions were added afterward, but as to the circle of subjects). Paul labored to present every man perfect (that is, full grown) in Christ.
Colossians 2. Paul was deeply anxious for the welfare of the saints, that they might be rooted, built up, and established in the faith, lest they should be led astray by the philosophy of the world and the deceitful teaching of men, which would in no way minister Christ to them. In Him dwelt “all the fullness of the Godhead bodily,” and they were “complete in Him:” nothing must be allowed to come between them. In Christ they had the reality of the things signified in the ordinances of circumcision and baptism. They had died and were risen with Christ. The saints were warned in Colossians 2:16-1716Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. (Colossians 2:16‑17) against being entangled with the Jewish things; and with the occult philosophy of the fleshly mind of the Gentile: all of which was in contrast and in opposition to holding Christ as Head. Having died with Christ they were set free from all the ordinances of men. This has been called the negative side.
Colossians 3. This gives the positive side, being “risen with Christ.” Their mind was to be set on things above, as heavenly people walking on earth. When the Lord appeared they would appear with Him in glory. Christ was their life, and in consistency therewith they were to mortify—put to death—all that sprang from the motions of the flesh. A catalog of things is given which were to be practically put off, because the old man had been put off with his deeds. Then having put on the new man, a catalog of things is given which in consistency therewith were to be put on (the display of Christ, who is “in each one”); above all things was love. Peace was to rule their hearts, and the word of Christ to dwell in them; helping one another with their songs. Exhortations follow to wives, husbands, children, fathers, and servants. Practical Christianity should be manifest in every station of life.
Colossians 4. Exhortations to masters, and then to all. Tychicus and Onesimus would declare to them the affairs of Paul. Salutations follow. The epistle was to be read to the church of the Laodiceans, and some epistle coming to them from Laodicea was to be read at Colosse. (Perhaps the epistle to the Ephesians was being circulated from church to church.) A message to Archippus: the salutation by the hand of Paul, and a, request to remember his bonds close the epistle with “Grace be with you. Amen.”
Bible Handbook:
It is not known by whom the gospel was first preached to the Colossians. Colosse was a large city of Phrygia, and at Pentecost there were Jews from this province at Jerusalem, by whom the glad tidings of salvation may have been introduced; or chapter 1:7 may mean that the gospel was first learned by them from Epaphras.
Paul was a prisoner when he wrote the epistle, and Timothy was with him. It is generally held that it was written by Paul during his imprisonment at Rome, about A.D. 62.
The epistle exhibits the personal glory of Christ as the Head, and the way in which the members of the body derive from the Head. The Colossians had little sense of this. The Holy Spirit is the power of union, and in this Epistle is only once named (ch. 1:8). It is the counterpart of the Epistle to the Ephesians. Here the saints are seen not in the heavenlies, but on earth, with their hope in heaven. Instead of the Holy Spirit having prominence, as in the Ephesians, it is Christ as our life. The Colossians not being in such a good state as the Ephesians, they needed Christ ministered to them to deliver them from tradition and philosophy, rather than to have the blessings of the church put before them.
Chapter 1
Verses 1-8. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, and Timotheus, to the holy and faithful brethren in Christ which are in Colosse.
Paul gave thanks since he heard of their faith in Christ and love to the saints, on account of the hope laid up for them in heaven.
Epaphras had been a faithful minister of Christ to them, who had spoken to him of their love in the Spirit.
Verses 9-11. Paul prays for them as having this faith and love that they might (1) be filled with the full knowledge of God’s will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; in order that they might (2) walk worthy of the Lord, pleasing Him in all things, in every good work being fruitful, and increasing by the knowledge of God; (3) be strengthened with all power, according to the might of His glory, unto all (not great deeds, but) endurance and long-suffering with joy. (These are things they needed, therefore the apostle desires them for them; but the following things are true of all the saints in Christ Jesus, and the subject of their thanksgiving.)
Verses 12-19. Giving thanks unto the Father, who hath made us fit for sharing the portion of the saints in light (where there is absolute holiness); who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of the Son of His love. In whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
(The glories of the One in whom we have redemption follow.) Who is the image of the invisible God (compare John 1:1818No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. (John 1:18)); the firstborn (chief irrespective of time) of all creation (His headship in creation).
For all things were created by Him and for Him, and by Him all things subsist (He sustains all).
He (as the risen, glorified Man) is the Head of the body, the church; who is the beginning, the very origin — the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He might have the pre-eminence. (His headship in resurrection, both of the body and of all principality and authority: ch. 2:10).
In Him all the fullness was pleased to dwell. (See ch. 2:9: it is deity.)
Verses 20-23. Having made peace by the blood of the cross, by Him to reconcile all things to itself (at present in such disorder) both in earth and in heaven (not ‘under the earth’ here as bowing the knee and confession, as in Phil. 2:1010That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; (Philippians 2:10)). (Thus the cross is the foundation of universal blessing, which will be made good in power in the kingdom.)
The Colossians were already reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, so as to be presented holy, irreproachable, and unreprovable in God’s sight, if they continued firm in the faith, and were not moved from the hope of the gospel (which would prove that they were not mere professors. They were in danger through their turning to tradition and philosophy).
Verses 24-29. Paul now (in prison) rejoiced in his sufferings to fill up that which was behind of the tribulations of Christ for the sake of His body, which is the church (the Head had suffered, and Paul, the minister of the body, must bear his share of the same — non-atoning sufferings).
Paul had a double ministry: in the gospel (ch. 1:23), and in the church (ch. 1:25).
The mystery of Christ and the church, hitherto hidden but which was committed to Paul, fulfilled (completed) the Word of God. (What was added afterward to the Scripture was not in the same sense new truth.)
The mystery had its riches of glory, and its aspect towards the Gentiles was “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
This was announced with admonition and teaching, that every one might be presented perfect (full grown) in Christ Jesus.
Chapter 2
Verses 1-3. Paul wished them to know the conflict he had for them and for other saints, that they might be encouraged and be knit together in love, unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the full acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and in which are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Christ being, in the purposes of God, the center of all). (The words ‘and of the Father and of Christ’ are added by a few MSS. The MSS vary.) Compare “the full assurance of faith” in Heb. 10:22,22Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. (Hebrews 10:22) and the “full assurance of hope” in Heb. 6:1111And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: (Hebrews 6:11).
Verses 4-10. Paul feared lest they should be deluded by enticing words, though he rejoiced, seeing their order and the steadfastness of their faith in Christ.
He exhorted them that as they had received the Christ, Jesus the Lord, so they should walk in Him, being rooted, built up, stablished (or assured); and beware lest they be spoiled by philosophy and vain deceit, according to the teaching of men and the elements of the world, and not according to Christ. (They were not to allow worldly wisdom to seduce them from finding everything in Christ. Philosophy only treats of the world, and cannot be added to Christ.)
In whom dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily (see ch. 1:19); and ye are complete (filled full, referring to the “fullness” in Christ) in Him, who is the Head of all principality and authority. (There is therefore nothing to add to the standing of the Christian: neither is there anything more to take away.)
Verses 11-15. In Christ we have the reality of the things signified in the ordinances: (1) the circumcision of Christ: the putting off the body of the flesh (sin being looked at as a characteristic of the body); (2) having been buried with Christ in baptism (compare Romans) in which we have been raised through faith of the operation of God who raised Him.
Being dead in sins, God hath quickened us together with Christ, having forgiven all our trespasses (compare Ephesians).
Verses 16-19. The Colossians were not to let any judge them as to Jewish observances: they were but shadows; the body is of Christ. Nor to let any rob them of their reward by leading them into mystical imaginations, and into worshipping of angels: such an one was not holding fast the Head, from whom all the body by joints and bands is ministered to, is united, and thus increases with the increase of God (showing that every member is united to and derives jointly from the Head).
Verses 20-23. Seeing they had died with Christ from the elements of the world, why, as if alive in it, were they subject to ordinances, (such as) handle not, taste not, touch not, after the teaching of men, just to satisfy the flesh. These things perish in the using (1 Cor. 6:1313Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. (1 Corinthians 6:13)); and the ordinances are only a show of wisdom in will-worship and humility, neglecting the body (as asceticism and monachism in later times. Laws and ordinances suit men alive in the world, but the Christian has died with Christ. This is the negative side; but now in chapter 3 exhortations follow, based on the positive side that we are risen with Christ).
Chapter 3
Verses 1-7. If risen with Christ seek the things which are above: set your mind on them: for ye have died and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ our life appears ye shall appear with Him in glory. (Ye are now heavenly persons on earth, waiting for your Lord.)
Put to death your members (ch. 2:11) on the earth, the evil things in which ye lived when unconverted.
Verses 8-11. And put off practically wrath, etc. seeing ye have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, renewed into full knowledge according to the image of Him that has created him. (The Christian has the divine nature, and what is morally of Christ now characterizes him, hence he has a divine knowledge of an object outside himself, Christ, the object of his faith and thoughts).
Wherein there is neither Jew nor Greek, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond, nor free; but Christ is all (as an object) and in all (as power of life to enjoy Him and know the Father).
Verses 12-17. Put on practically, as the elect of God, bowels of mercies, etc. Forgive, as Christ forgave you.
Put on love, the bond of perfectness: it is the nature of God.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. (T. R. reads ‘God’ (verse 15), and ‘the Lord’ (verse 16) with a few MSS.)
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly ... singing with grace in your hearts to God.
Do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, and give thanks to God the Father by Him. Practical Christianity should be manifested in every sphere of life.
Verses 18-25. Wives, submit. Husbands, love. Children, obey. Fathers, vex not. Servants, obey. (Verse 22 should read ‘fearing the Lord.’ T. R. has ‘God’ with a few MSS.)
Chapter 4
Masters, give what is just and fair.
Various exhortations follow. Our speech should be always with grace, seasoned with salt (not insipid talk).
Tychicus and Onesimus would tell them of Paul’s affairs. Salutations follow.
This epistle was also to be read to the Laodiceans; and that from Laodicea (perhaps the Epistle to the Ephesians being circulated) was to be read by the Colossians.
A message to Archippus, and Paul’s own salutation close the epistle, adding, “Grace be with you. Amen.”
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