12 December

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Colossians 1-4

Colossians 1

This letter is correlative to the Ephesians, and shows the glory of the Head of the Church as at her disposal. After expressing his thankfulness for the faith, love, and hope of the saints, Paul tells them that he was praying that they "might be filled with the knowledge of His will," and declares that the reason of such prayer is that they may "walk worthily of the Lord."

Provision is made for this in the twofold fact that they have been "delivered" and "translated." Set free from the dominion of sin, they are "translated . . . into the Kingdom of the Son of His love." It is here that Paul set forth the glories of the Person of the Redeemer in a passage that is unique for its revealing beauty. Of the invisible God, He is the Image. As to the creation, He is the Firstborn, that is, the One who has preeminence both as Originator and Sustainer. As to the Church, He is the Head, and now is described as "First-born from the dead." The Apostle summarized the whole truth concerning the glories of the Person of Christ in his declaration, "It was the good pleasure of the Father that in Him should all the fulness dwell."

It is the purpose of God, through Christ, "to reconcile all things to Himself." The means of reconciliation is the Cross. The issue of the reconciliation is that those who were "alienated . . . enemies in your mind in your evil works" are to become "holy . . . without blemish . . . unreprovable." In this connection the apostle claims that to him had been committed the stewardship of the truth concerning the Church as the medium through which the glorious purpose of God would be accomplished. Therefore, the aim of this epistle, and, indeed, of all apostolic work is admonishing and teaching every man toward the realization of perfection in Christ, because that issues in the perfecting of the whole Church.

Colossians 2

If for a moment we glance back at the passage beginning with 1:24 and ending with 2:3, we find reference to a threefold mystery: the first, the Church, which is the Body of Christ; then the secret of life in the individual believer, "Christ in you, the hope of glory"; finally, the deepest mystery of all, "the mystery of God even Christ." The Apostle declared his reason for having so carefully stated this doctrine of Christ and the Church. It is that the Colossian Christians might not be deluded.

The central declaration of the epistle is found in this chapter, "For in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily, and in Him ye are made full, which is the Head of all principality and power."

As the Apostle approaches the personal and practical application, he shows what this relationship of the believer to Christ means in two fundamental respects. Union with the death of Christ means union with His work of reconciliation. Union with the resurrection of Christ means union with all the glories of His Person.

Certain perils were threatening the Church at Colossae with which the apostle dealt. Some were attempting to bring believers into bondage to external observances, and the apostle warned them against such. The other peril was putting Christ at a distance by allowing intermediation between the soul and Him, even that of angels.

The perils against which the apostle warned these Colossians have often recurred in the history of the Church. By pledges and promises according to human ordinances a man is constantly in danger of worshiping his own will. By submission of the conscience to human intervention an unwarranted subservience is created. How true it is that there may be a development and strengthening of the lower side of human life in self-denial, in submission to false authority, and in the mere bruising of the body. There can be no such result where the soul is living in conscious experience of death with Christ and life in Him.

Colossians 3

The believer is to "seek the things . . . above." The word "seek" marks aspiration, desire, and passion. The things above are those of the empire of Christ. In order to seek these things the mind must be set on them. The believer's responsibility is revealed, first, in response to the union with Christ in death, in putting to death the things of the earth, of which a list is given. Also the things of the spirit which are evil must be put off. These too are named.

Then follows the application in the matter of our union with Christ in life, and the apostle again shows the things that manifest such union. The final and inclusive word in this application is, "Whatsoever ye do in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

A section of practical illustrations of application follows in the case of husbands and wives, children and parents, servants and masters.

Colossians 4

The true purpose of life for the saints and faithful in Christ is to the maintenance of a twofold relationship: toward God, and toward those who are without. The first is covered by prayer as it includes adoration, confession, and petition. This life must be sedulously cultivated. A necessary element in such a life is watchfulness. Yet such watchfulness is not to be characterized by anxiety, for it is to be "with thanksgiving." Cheerfulness is to mingle with cautiousness. Toward "them that are without" the saint is to walk in wisdom. This again is closely linked with the prayer life. Moreover, the speech of the saint is to be characterized by grace and salt, that is by courteousness, and yet by the qualities which prevent corruption.

The letter closes with references that were local and personal. The references to Tychicus, Onesimus, Aristarchus, Mark, and Jesus, are characterized by Paul's recognition of their excellences. The one picture that stands out is that of Epaphras. Evidently when the letter was written he was with Paul, and there was striving in prayer for that Church of which really he was a member. In this description of Epaphras we have an insight into his character. He was praying for them that they might "stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God." What greater prayer is it possible for any to offer for loved ones than this, and what greater service can anyone render than thus to strive in prayer on behalf of the loved ones? The final words have in them a touch of pathos. Taking the stylus from the one to whom he had been dictating, he wrote words which indicate at once his sense of limitation and his desire for sympathy, "Remember my bonds."