Readings from Colossians

Introduction
Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians were all written by Paul at about the same time, while he was a prison in Rome. Each has its theme and purpose. Ephesians deals with the unity of the church that was being disturbed by false teachers, primarily those who were imposing Judaism upon it. Philippians concerns Paul, a grateful recipient, and the Philippian church, a generous giver, at a time of Paul’s need. Colossians, along with Paul’s usual teaching and encouragement, deals specifically with a Colossian heresy that was spreading in that area.
Our attention is now focused on Colossians, having spent several weeks in Philippians. This study will consist of a series of readings. You are urged to take time and to pay close attention to Paul’s statements in order to gain a deeper insight into his thoughts. He will lead us to Christ and accompany us in a walk with Him. Our first reading is the first twelve verses of Chapter one. (New American Standard Bible)

1. Introductory Paragraph

Colossians 1:1- 12

“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. 3 We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints; 5because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel 6which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth; 7just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, 8and he also informed us of your love in the Spirit. 9For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. “

Observations

1. True Christians—true believes are “saints and faithful brethren.”
2. Grace and peace go together; it is in God’s grace that we find peace.
3. These Christians had love for “all the saints,” do we or are we selective?
4. Hope is “laid up” and “reserved for us” in heaven.” “If we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait for it (Rom. 8:25).
5. The Christian life is progressive: We hear the word of truth, understand the grace of God revealed in it, and this understanding brings “love in the Spirit.”
6. We ought to pray for one another that we may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will, which brings ‘spiritual wisdom and understanding,” enabling us to “walk in the knowledge of God, strengthened with all power according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience.” This is the way to bear fruit in every good work and to increase in the knowledge of God.
7. We cannot find this life anywhere except in Christ, and is's not found by anyone except true believers. This assurance causes us to “joyously give thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.”

Notes

· There is no biblical authority for canonizing a person as a saint after he or she is dead. The Bible calls Christians saints while they live. Paul addresses a number of his letters “to the saints.”
· Grace is often ignored, misunderstood and presumed upon, while Paul makes the subject plain and writes about it more than all the other New Testaments authors combined. People would spare themselves much guilt and stress if they would come to an understanding of grace.
· Colossians, like Paul’s other letters, mentions truth, grace, faith, love, hope, joy and peace; giving us assurance and comfort, just as Philippians did. Let us approach it with this understanding and receive its blessings.
· I shall never forget the joy I felt when first I learned that one may be “filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” I realized then, in the early days of ministry, that what I needed was not just wisdom and understanding but “spiritual wisdom and understanding.” Upon learning this, I dug deeper into the Word and began preaching expository sermons through books of the Bible, attempting to share my discovery with others. I pray that you are having the same experience.
· If anyone has a comment or question on this reading, or any future reading, please send it as a reply and I will appreciate it and perhaps share it with the other readers.