Colossians 1

Colossians 1:1
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,

We’re told Paul was an “apostle” of Jesus, but what does that actually mean?

An apostle is a “delegate,” “commissioner,” or “he that is sent.”

Simply stated, Paul was a representative of Jesus, and Paul was sent by our Heavenly Father. Interestingly enough, Paul was originally a Pharisee who railed against the church. Yet, he was corrected on the road to Damascus by Jesus Christ, (Acts 9:1-6, 23:6).

In fact, it was that moment when Paul began to fulfill his divine mission. It’s a classic example that God can and will use anyone He so chooses.

Now, who is “Timotheus?”

We’re simply being told about “Timothy,” our brother in Christ, (2 Corinthians 1:1).

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.

The letter we are reading was addressed to the Saints in Colosse, and we know these people as the Colossians. This was Christianity in motion, spreading throughout the world, and Paul was doing his part to make it a reality.

Prayer For The Colossians

Colossians 1:3-4
3 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,

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

We always want to follow this example.

Always pray for your fellow laborers in Christ. Love all Christians, regardless of our differences in faith. Far too often we allow ourselves to be divided over those differences. Yet, we are all united under Jesus Christ.

By the way, I want you to notice what Paul is doing here.

He is uniting, he is building up.

Colossians 1:5-6
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;

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:

What exactly is our hope that’s laid up in Heaven?

Our “hope” is our “confidence” and “expectation,” that if we follow Jesus, we will obtain eternal life and live with God forever. This is the word of truth the Colossians heard prior. This was simply a reminder.

Therefore, Paul was telling the Colossians, their hope was laid up in Heaven once they heard God’s Word, accepted it, and lived according to it.

Through the Word of God, the Colossians were now bringing “forth fruit.”

As Christians, we produce spiritual fruit when we hear and do the Word of God. Once we accept Jesus Christ, our hope is not only laid up in Heaven, but our Heavenly rewards are secure, where “moth and rust” cannot corrupt them, (Matthew 6:19-20).

While we may lose valuables here on earth, no one can ever take away our Heavenly rewards.

Colossians 1:7-8
7 As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;

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

Epaphras was a servant of our Heavenly Father. He was personally teaching the Colossians about Jesus Christ, and they accepted Him, and they loved the Spirit, performing good works.

Now, think about what we’re reading here…

We are learning about the early church, and how it began to spread throughout the world. The foundation of Christianity was laid by Christ and the Disciples, and the walls were now being constructed.

Today, our beautiful faith has been handed down and entrusted to us. Take care of it, nurture it, and continue to build it for the next generation.

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;

Why was Paul praying for the Colossians?

The Colossians were producing good spiritual fruit. Therefore, Paul continually prayed for their spiritual edification. He was praying they would be filled with the knowledge of God and all spiritual understanding. This not only ensured the church was firmly established in Colosse, but that it would continue to spread from there.

Think about this verse with respect to your own family.

We are to share God’s Word with them, so it becomes rooted in them, and so they share the Gospel with others, just as you have shared it with them. It keeps God’s Word alive, from one generation to the next.

Colossians 1:10-11
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;

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

Those are the sentiments of a fantastic prayer!

Paul was explaining the depth of his thoughts and how he yearned for God to bestow spiritual blessings on a people who had now accepted Him.

That’s exactly what we are to do, even to this day.

That’s how we build up my friends.

Colossians 1:12
Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

We’re being told, God “made,” which means “qualified” them to become partakers of the Saint’s inheritance. The inheritance of the Saints is the very Kingdom of God, (Daniel 7:27, Revelation 1:6, 5:10).

Today, even you and I are partakers of that magnificent inheritance. So never forget to thank God when He answers your prayers, and always give Him credit for the blessings you obtain in life.

The Power Of Darkness

Colossians 1:13
Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

What is “the power of darkness”?

In a sense, it’s this world without God.

It’s Satan’s kingdom and everything that goes along with it: sin, misery, and death. Unfortunately, Satan is the god of this world, and he has power over the kingdoms of earth. Evident as he offered that power to Jesus in the wilderness, (2 Corinthians 4:4, Matthew 4:8-9).

That’s exactly why Ephesians 6:12 tells us, “we wrestle not against flesh and blood.” Christians do not wage a war against flesh and blood in this world. We are waging a spiritual war against,

“…powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

We are waging a war against Satan and evil spirits who influence mankind.

So when we accept Jesus Christ and live according to the Bible, we become delivered from this “power of darkness.” Then we “translate,” or “turn away” from it, and enter the Kingdom of Christ as verse 13 explained.

Redemption Through Jesus

Colossians 1:14
In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

We have been “redeemed,” which means we have obtained salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ. His sacrifice on the Cross “washed us from our sins,” (Revelation 1:5).

He paid the price for you.

Do you see how complete the Bible is?

The last two verses describe exactly what Jesus told Paul on the road to Damascus.

Let’s have the verse.

“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.”

Acts 26:18

It is God’s will that we are delivered from the sinful bonds of Satan, converted, and brought into the Light of God. Not only does this free us from sin, but we obtain the inheritance we read about earlier. So in a single verse, we have the whole message of eternal salvation!

The Supremacy Of Jesus

Colossians 1:15
Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

Paul now begins to tell us a little more about our Lord and Savior.

Jesus Christ is the “image,” or better said, the “resemblance” of God. Even more interesting, Jesus Christ is the firstborn of all creation, created by the Father Himself, (see: Why Is The Trinity So Confusing?).

Colossians 1:16-17
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:

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

What’s being said here?

All things were created “by,” which means “through” Jesus.

What does that mean?

Simply stated, the Father created all things “through” the Son.

As Scripture explained, it was God the Father who created the “firstborn of every creature” being the Son. “All things,” the heavens, the earth, life, and the powers on earth were created “through” Jesus, and that’s exactly what Scripture details.

This includes the things in Heaven and earth that are both visible and invisible to our eye. When I think of the universe, I consider distant stars and galaxies that we cannot see. When I think of earth, I think of microscopic creatures and atoms we cannot behold.

“Through” Jesus, even thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers were created. Yes, this would include the Angelic hosts in Heaven, and the positions of authority they hold. This also includes the earthly powers that reside over mankind, even today, (Daniel 2:21).

Now, in the Old Testament, God spoke to us through the prophets, people like Moses and Elijah, (Hebrews 1:1).

However, God,

“Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;”

Hebrews 1:2

Since the advent of Jesus, God spoke to us through Christ. The Father appointed the Son heir of all things, and (“by” which means) “through” the Son is how the Father “made the worlds.”

Even more interesting, the word “by” in Colossians 1:17 describes,

“…the channel of an act; through.”

Therefore, the Father created all things “through” the Son.

Let’s have one more verse to lock this fact into our minds.

1 Corinthians 8:6
But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

Also: John 1:3

Where did all things come from?

The Father.

Once again, “by” means “through.”

• There is one God the Father, of which all things consist.
• There is one Lord the Son, “through” which all things consist.

Simply stated, God the Father created the heavens and earth “through” Jesus Christ. We are told a part of this in Nehemiah 9:6 where “LORD” means “Jehovah.”

This tells us, Jesus was the agent used to create all things. Yet, it was all orchestrated through the power of our Heavenly Father, the Great Potter of Isaiah 64:8.

All right, now let’s turn back to the book of Colossians.

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.

Jesus is over all of us, He is over the church which is the many-membered body of Christ. Only God the Father is above Jesus the Son, (1 Corinthians 11:3).

We’re told something else here that’s very important. Jesus is “the firstborn from the dead,” (Revelation 1:5). This refers to His crucifixion on the cross, His eternal sacrifice for you and I that made the remission of sins possible.

Never forget that.

Colossians 1:19
For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

Why is Christ above all?

It pleased our Heavenly Father.

As Jesus explains, “All things are delivered unto me of my Father … For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me,” (Matthew 11:27, John 6:38).

That’s why Jesus is,

“…called the Son of the Highest: the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David … and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”

Luke 1:32-33

Amen!

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.

Essentially, Jesus made peace between God and man through His sacrifice on the cross. That’s the moment in time when Christ became our “mediator,” (1 Timothy 2:5).

Remember, in times of old, mankind performed animal sacrifice which never provided salvation. It only provided a way for them to remember their sins, (Hebrews 10:1-3). In hopes they would cease their from sins.

Colossians 1:21
And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

Once, we all “walked according to the course of this world,” the “power of darkness” that we learned about in verse 13. Yet, we have now become reconciled to God through the power of Jesus Christ, (Ephesians 2:2, 2 Corinthians 5:18).

Beautiful!

Colossians 1:22
In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

There we have it.

Thanks to the precious blood of Jesus Christ, and through our repentance of sin, we are washed clean. Our sins are erased, and we are presented as blameless to God, (Isaiah 1:18, 44:22, Titus 2:14, 1 John 1:9).

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;

We are presented as blameless, “if ye continue in the faith.”

Hey, as long as we stay rooted in Christ, then we obtain the promise in verse 22. That doesn’t mean we won’t fall short at times, but we repent, and never return to “the power of darkness.”

Yes, God’s Word is conditional, and there’s no “once saved always saved.”

In fact, if we come to accept Jesus and then fall away,

“…it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.”

2 Peter 2:21

Never forget that.

The Church Ministry

Colossians 1:24-25
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:

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

The larger point here is that Paul as a minister of the church was suffering along with the Colossians for their faithfulness to Jesus Christ. When one member of the body suffers, we all suffer.

The Mystery

Colossians 1:26-27
26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:

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:

This “mystery” is the Divine plan of God revealed through Christ.

Specifically, for all mankind to be united, to obtain salvation through the Son, and belong to one church under Jesus. This plan was originally manifested to Peter who had difficulty digesting it. It was a completely new concept, salvation for “whosoever will,” (Acts 11:1-19, Revelation 22:17).

Think about it…

In the Old Testament, we have Abraham, the father of the Israelites who were God’s chosen People. That was it.

Yet, this all changed in the New Testament with the revelation of this mystery.

Today,

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, … for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

Galatians 3:27-29

Through our acceptance of Jesus Christ, no matter what race, color, or creed we are, we become heirs, we become “one in Christ” and “Abraham’s seed.” That qualifies us to partake of the “inheritance of the Saints” that we read about in Colossians 1:12-13.

It’s a fantastic thing!

Colossians 1:28-29
28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

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

We are to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every creature. That is our task as Christians, not just to accept Jesus, but to promote His message to the world, just like Paul and the Disciples before us, and the Prophets before them.

So we should strive like Paul and diligently work to present everyone perfect to Jesus. That can only become a reality through hard work and dedication on our part. It can only become a reality through everyone’s acceptance of Christ.