Colossians is the third of Paul’s prison letters written from Rome. Towards the end of his third and final great missionary journey, remember, Paul spent nearly three years in Ephesus, which was only 100 miles away from Colosse (Acts 19v10). During that successful stay, it appears that the Colosse church had been established, not by Paul, but by one of his co-workers, Epaphras (see 1 v7). In fact, chapter 2v1 could imply that Paul had hardly been there. Epaphras, we hear, also had a ministry to Laodicea and Hierapolis (4v13) which were sister cities situated only about 10 miles away in the same Lycus river valley and under the same shadow of mount Cadmus. The city of Colosse, which some believe was destroyed by earthquakes, no longer exists and even though it has great potential for archaeology has, until now, never been excavated. Later in the Bible, Paul wrote a letter to Philemon, a member of that same church in Colosse, but, sadly, another one, Epaphras, the church founder, had become a fellow prisoner with Paul (Philemon 23). The wonderful thing was that, despite persecution, and in only about 30 years, we read (v5,6) that the wonderful gospel had spread through the whole Roman world. Humility and love characterise these early pioneers for the gospel and Paul, affectionally, calls Epaphras “our beloved fellow servant” (v7). To find the qualities of a good church you need look no farther than the letter to the Colossians.
FAITH AND LOVE
Once again, in verse 3, we are reminded of the importance of prayer in Paul’s life and again, in verse 9, where he talks about not ceasing to pray for them. Why was Paul so thankful? The Colossians displayed those three essential characteristics of any good church (v4,5), “faith” in Christ Jesus, “love” for one another and “hope”. (Notice in Ephesians 1v15-18 that Paul also praises these three important ingredients). Their faith reminds us of that great truth of Romans and Galatians that we are justified by faith alone and not through our works. These people had a love, described in verse 8, as “love in the Spirit.” Their hope was a “hope in heaven” or, in Ephesians, as their “glorious inheritance”. The gospel bore fruit among them because they had a deep understanding of God’s grace v6, that marvellous undeserved love. We will see the richness of this letter to the Colossians which brings together many of the great teachings of Paul’s other letters.
GROWING IN WISDOM
Paul’s desire and prayer was, always, that Christians should build on these foundations of faith, love and hope by growing further in the knowledge of God’s will (v9); see also Philippians 1v9 and Ephesians 5v15-17. Through spiritual wisdom and understanding we can find out how God can empower us to live lives worthy of the Lord (v10); Eph 4v1 and Phil 1v27. Paul wanted them to be strong (v11), with the strength of the Lords glorious power (Eph 1v19,20 and 6v10), and joyful in thanks to the Father v12 (note rejoicing was the key message of Philippians). Then we have that amazing passage from verse 13 to 19 which shares the powerful message of Ephesians that there are two kingdoms, one being the power of darkness (v13) but we have been transferred from that dominion into the kingdom of His beloved Son where we are forgiven and set free from our sins. In that kingdom, the first place and authority goes to Jesus, the creator (v16). All things are held together by Him (v17) and He is the head of the body, the church (v18). The fullness of the Father dwells in Him (v19) and he is Lord of all who has reconciled all things to the Father through the blood of his cross (v20).
CHRIST IN US
It is good to be reminded in verses 21 and 22 that once we were evil, separate from and even hostile to God but, through his death, we are now presented as “holy and blameless and irreproachable before him.” There is one proviso, that we continue steadfastly in the hope of the gospel (v23). Paul had this marvelous message to Gentile Christians that they could enjoy the glory of Christ’s presence within them (v27). Not satisfied with just preaching the gospel, Paul was passionate that everyone be mature in Christ (v28).
Paul in chapter 2 repeats his encouragements to have unity in love and knowledge, but with one aim in mind, to know Christ himself (2v2) in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (3). Paul knew it was important for them, and us, to continue to live lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith and abounding in thanksgiving (v 6,7). Some Colossians were being attracted by people who taught human philosophies and were driven by “elemental spirits” of the universe (v8), so he emphasised the centrality of Christ and the fullness they can have, only in Him, the fullness of God himself (v10). The body of our old fleshly life has been, spiritually, cut off us (v11) by Christ’s spiritual circumcision and buried with Him (v12). Now we have been raised with Him for we who were dead have been made alive (v13). Ours sins were dealt with and forgiven on the cross (v14) and a great victory won over the evil powers (v15).
THE DANGER OF RELIGIOUS REGULATIONS
From now to the end of chapter two there is a very interesting list of religious activities that can be dangerous to church life. Firstly, observing old testament laws, and their celebrations, without realising they were only a shadow of what was to come, Jesus Christ (v16,17). Other familiar religious activities can be seen in other religions but sometimes creep into the church; like (v18) self-abasement, worshipping angels, exaggerated visions, religious regulations (v20,21), a mustn’t do this, mustn’t do that mentality, self imposed piety and abuse of the body. Paul says that these things can have the appearance of wisdom and piety (v23) but are useless in controlling self indulgence. The only way the church body can grow (v19) is by holding fast to its head, Christ. The only way to grow as a Christian is receiving Christ himself.
Spiritually, we have been raised with Christ and we should seek the things that are above (3v1). That is where our minds should be fixed (v2) and in Him is where we should be hidden (v3).
PUT ON NEW CLOTHES
We should allow the old life to die (v5-9), strip off the old self with its practices (v9) and put on new clothes (v10), the new self which is being renewed in the image of its creator. Our different racial characteristics and personal circumstances do not matter any more. All that matters is that we have Christ in each one of us (v11), “Christ is all and in all”.
What clothes does God want us to wear (v12,13)- compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forgiveness and above all love (v14). Let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts (v15) and let the word of Christ dwell in us richly (v16). Teach and admonish each other in all wisdom and, with gratitude, sing worship songs. In fact, everything you say and do, do in his name (v17), giving thanks.
HOW WE RELATE TO OTHERS IS IMPORTANT
Interesting, that Paul feels right to repeat his teaching (of Ephesians) about relationships between wives and husbands, children and parents, slaves and masters (3v18 to 4v1). In this day and age, we have formulated our own ideas of right and wrong and people fight against this teaching which Paul felt was so essential to the fabric of society. Paul continues with how to impact the world around us,through thankful prayer (v2) and praying for open doors for His word (v3). In our conduct towards outsiders we should be wise (v5) and make the most of the time with (v6) gracious speech, knowing how to answer everyone.
APPRECIATING AND WORKING TOGETHER WITH OTHERS
Finally, in chapter 4, Paul talks about several individuals in the church who were important to his ministry:
MESSENGERS
We are introduced to Tychicus (v7), a faithful beloved brother, who Paul would send as a messenger to encourage their hearts. He is described in the same way in Ephesians (6v21-22), Titus (3v12) and 2 Timothy (4v12). Another messenger was Onesimus, who we know from Philemon had been a runaway slave before making Colosse his home church (v9). Why were these men so important? it was because they would work with Paul and help him to spread the gospel further than he could by himself, alone.
COMFORTERS
There is Aristarchus from Thessalonica (v10), another fellow prisoner, and previously fellow traveller of Paul (Acts 20v4) who nearly lost his life in Ephesus (Acts 19v29). There is Mark (v10), cousin of Barnabas, who had started out on Paul’s first great missionary journey and had become the bone of contention between him and Barnabas. In 2 Timothy (4v11) we can see that he, eventually, proved to be useful to Paul’s ministry and don’t forget he was also the person who wrote the marvelous gospel of Mark. These two men along with a little known Justus were a comfort to Paul; they were men who were comforters.
PRAY-ERS
There is mention again of Epaphras (v12,13), who was probably the person who started the church in Colosse, and we know from Philemon 23 was imprisoned alongside Paul. Physically he was impeded, but spiritually he had been wrestling in prayer for them so that they could stand “mature”. Prayer was important to Paul, praying much for others, but also knowing the need for prayer in his own ministry. Epaphras was a man who prayed.
Notice a brief mention of Luke, his fellow traveller, who was used of the Holy Spirit to write over one quarter of the New Testament by volume; Acts and Luke of course. He is tenderly called the “beloved physician” who travelled on a number of Paul’s journeys and was with him to the end (2 Timothy 4v11). At the time of both Colossians and Philemon, Demas (v14) was listed as a fellow labourer but sadly, soon after (2 Timothy4v10), he fell in love with “this present world” and deserted Paul. These two remind us that we need to be faithful and steadfast to the end (Rev 2v10). How about Nympha who presumably took a serious risk in putting her home to the service of the church?
COMPLETE THE TASK GIVEN TO YOU
Whatever our calling, whatever our personal ability, whatever our circumstances let each of us be faithful to the Lord. Let us take to heart Paul’s final message to Archippus, “see that you complete the task that you have received in the Lord” (v17).