Colossians
The Colossians had heard the gospel though apparently not from the Apostle Paul (Col. 2:11For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; (Colossians 2:1)) and had received it. The seed had been planted and brought forth fruit (ch. 1:6). Nevertheless, we find a hint of a problem in Paul’s reference to Epaphras: “As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellow servant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ” (vs. 7). The Colossians were being enticed by the allure of philosophy and ritualism. The natural man forever desires to “tell, or to hear some new thing” (Acts 17:2121(For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.) (Acts 17:21)). What the Apostle Paul wrote would only confirm what they had already heard of Epaphras. In returning to the elements of the world, they were, in fact, turning away from Christ; they were not holding the headship of Christ in all its fullness.
The Glories of Christ—Chapter 1
Having given thanks for the things that he had heard of them, Paul prays that they might be “filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding” (Col. 1:99For 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; (Colossians 1:9)). God’s desire for us is nothing less. The Apostle gives thanks to the Father for that which they—and we as believers—have as a present condition: “Meet [fit] to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son” (vss. 12-13).
The glories of Christ follow. He is the Creator of the universe; by Him all things consist. Not only has He the first place as Creator, but “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. For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell; 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” (vss. 18-20). Thus the foundation for the universal blessing of creation is established in the cross. For those who continue in the faith, with their hope firmly grounded in the gospel, it is a present, accomplished thing (vss. 21-23).
Paul was not only a minister of the gospel, but also of the church that mystery which heretofore had been hidden. Thereby he completed the Word (the revealed mind) of God (vss. 23-25).
Death and Resurrection—Chapter 2
Having presented the glories of Christ, Paul now touches on his concern for them philosophy and vain deceit. How could they turn from the glories of Christ to the rudiments of the world (ch. 2:8)? “For in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in Him” (vss. 9-10). They were circumcised with the circumcision made without hands (vs. 11). Buried with Him in baptism, they were raised again “through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead” (vs. 12). We have the reality of things in Christ. The past ordinances were “a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ” (vs. 17). All things flow down from the Head; Christ is our Head (vs. 19). And as to this scene in which we live, we are dead with Christ from the elements of the world (vs. 20). What claim can they have on us now?
Practical Results—Chapters 3-4
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above” (ch. 3:1). With our mind set on things above, we walk as heavenly people on earth. Having put off the old man with his deeds and having put on the new, this is what must govern our life. Practical Christianity is manifested in every sphere of our life. “Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him” (vs. 17).
First and Second Thessalonians
For three Sabbaths Paul reasoned in the synagogue at Thessalonica, “opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ” (Acts 17:33Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. (Acts 17:3)). Although some believed, including many Greeks, wicked men, incited by the Jews, troubled the city, and Paul and Silas were compelled to leave. Anxious to return, but hindered by Satan, Timotheus is sent from Athens (1 Thess. 2:18; 3:12,618Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us. (1 Thessalonians 2:18)
12And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: (1 Thessalonians 3:12)
6But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you: (1 Thessalonians 3:6)). It is upon his return that Paul writes his first letter to the Thessalonian saints the very earliest of his epistles. The second followed probably within eighteen months of the first.
These letters are characterized by the freshness of first love. Word of their faith had spread abroad (ch. 1:8). Having turned from idols to serve the living and true God, they waited for His Son from heaven, their deliverer from the coming wrath (vss. 9-10). Like their brethren in Judea, their testimony produced persecution (ch. 2:14).
Paul does not assert his apostleship; rather, in both epistles he reassures the saints concerning different aspects of the Lord’s coming. The first epistle addresses the Lord’s coming for the blessing of His saints both for those who had died and those who are alive in contrast to the day of the Lord, of which they were knowledgeable.
In the second epistle, we find the dear Thessalonian saints had been shaken, thinking that the day of the Lord (a time of judgment) was already come. Paul shows that certain events must first precede that day.
1 Thessalonians 1-3
Here we find the Thessalonians waiting for the Son of God from heaven. In the second chapter, though unable to visit them, the Apostle has this confidence that they would be his joy and crown of boasting before the Lord Jesus at His coming.
In the third chapter, having heard the report from Timotheus (ch. 3:6) and having been duly comforted by their faith, he prays, “The Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: to the end He may stablish your hearts unblamable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints” (vss. 12-13). The Lord’s appearing with all his saints is spoken of.
1 Thessalonians 4-5
The exhortation continues in the fourth chapter with instruction as to their walk. The chapter closes, however, with important details concerning the Lord’s coming for His saints. Those who had died would rise again and would, furthermore, precede those who were alive and remained (ch. 4:13-18). Given the persecution that the Thessalonians suffered and their apparent confusion on this point, this was, without a doubt, a great comfort.
Chapter 5 speaks of the times and the seasons of which they were quite familiar the day of the Lord is extensively detailed in the Old Testament (ch. 5:1). They were not children of the night; they were of the light (vss. 45). We do not sleep, for those who sleep sleep in the night, “but let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation” (vs. 8). The book closes with various exhortations.
2 Thessalonians 1
Suffering deep persecution, the Thessalonians apparently were persuaded, perhaps by a forged letter, that the day of the Lord had come (2 Thess. 2:22That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. (2 Thessalonians 2:2)). Paul points out that a day of judgment is indeed coming on those who obey not the gospel (ch. 1:8). The Thessalonian saints were believers, and it was their persecution which gave testimony to that (vs. 5). However, not only was it not the day of the Lord, but also, when that day came, it would bring judgment on their tormentors!
2 Thessalonians 2
Here Paul directly addresses the error. The coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together unto Him not having yet taken place is proof that the day of the Lord is still future (ch. 2:1). Furthermore, that day will not come “except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition” (vs. 3). This is the antichrist, “who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God” (vs. 4). The chapter closes with a word of comfort and with the first mention of hope having been restored to them in the epistle.
2 Thessalonians 3
In the final chapter, Paul requests their prayers. He had confidence in the Lord that they would do the things they were commanded to do (ch. 3:4). As to one who was disorderly, they were to withdraw from such. Each was to work for their bread we are to be occupied until He comes (vss. 6-12). Paul closes the epistle, commending them to the Lord: “Now the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all” (vs. 16). He draws special attention to the salutation by his own hand, perhaps in reference to the forged letter. N. Simon