Colossians

Colossians

 

WHEN CHRIST IS EVERYTHING​

​

You've never met Paul. You've never even heard him preach. Someone else told you about Jesus. You believed. You received the Holy Spirit. And now you're hearing all kinds of teaching. Some of it sounds spiritual, impressive, deep. Angels, visions, special knowledge, strict rules about food and festivals.

 

Is Jesus enough? Or do you need something more?

That's the question the Colossian church faced. False teachers had infiltrated, teaching that Jesus was good but insufficient. You needed Jesus plus special knowledge. Jesus plus angelic mediation. Jesus plus strict religious observance. Jesus plus human philosophy.

 

Paul writes to demolish that thinking. His message is simple and emphatic: Christ is everything. He's supreme. He's sufficient. He's all you need.

 

Colossians is about the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ. He's the image of the invisible God. All things were created by Him and for Him. In Him all the fullness of God dwells. He's the head of the church. He reconciled all things through His blood.

 

You don't need Jesus plus anything. You have Jesus. That's everything.

 

If you've ever felt like your faith isn't enough, like you're missing some secret knowledge or special experience, like you need to do more to really know God, read Colossians. Paul will show you that Christ is all you need.

 

A note before we begin:

Colossians is four chapters of rich Christology and practical application. This summary covers the major themes, but Paul's description of Christ's supremacy is so magnificent that every verse rewards slow reading. After this overview, open your Bible and read all four chapters of Colossians yourself. Let the supremacy of Christ fill your vision.

 

Thankfulness and Prayer

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy, write to God's holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ. Grace and peace to you from God our Father.

 

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we've heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God's people, the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you've already heard in the true message of the gospel.

 

Paul thanks God for them. Their faith in Christ. Their love for all believers. This faith and love spring from hope stored in heaven.

 

This gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world, just as it's been doing amongst you since the day you heard it and truly understood God's grace. You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who's a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.

 

The gospel is bearing fruit everywhere. They learned it from Epaphras, who told Paul about their love in the Spirit.

 

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we haven't stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of His holy people in the kingdom of light.

 

Paul prays for them constantly. That they'd know God's will. Live worthy of the Lord. Bear fruit. Grow in knowledge. Be strengthened with power. Have endurance and patience. Give thanks.

 

For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

 

God rescued you from darkness. Brought you into Christ's kingdom. In Christ you have redemption and forgiveness.

 

The Supremacy of Christ

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

 

This is one of the most important passages about Jesus in the entire Bible. He's the image of the invisible God. The firstborn over all creation. All things were created in Him, through Him, and for Him. He existed before everything. He holds everything together.

 

And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from amongst the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross.

 

Jesus is the head of the church. The firstborn from the dead. In everything He has supremacy. All of God's fullness dwells in Him. He reconciled all things through His blood.

 

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behaviour. But now He has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation, if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and don't move from the hope held out in the gospel.

 

You were alienated from God. Enemies. But Christ reconciled you through His death. He presents you holy, without blemish, free from accusation. If you continue in faith.

 

This is the gospel that you heard and that's been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

 

Paul's Labour for the Church

Now I rejoice in what I'm suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of His body, which is the church. I've become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness, the mystery that's been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord's people.

 

Paul rejoices in suffering. Why? For the sake of the church. He's been commissioned to present God's word in its fullness. The mystery that was hidden but is now revealed.

 

To them God has chosen to make known amongst the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

 

The mystery: Christ in you. The hope of glory. God dwelling in Gentiles. That was unthinkable. Now it's reality.

 

He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.

 

Paul proclaims Christ. Warns everyone. Teaches everyone. His goal: present everyone mature in Christ. He labours with Christ's energy working powerfully in him.

 

I want you to know how hard I'm contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who haven't met me personally. My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

 

Paul's contending for them. His goal: that they'd be encouraged, united in love, have complete understanding, know the mystery of God, which is Christ. In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

 

Freedom From Human Rules

I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine sounding arguments. For though I'm absent from you in body, I'm present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.

 

Paul warns them. Don't be deceived by impressive arguments.

 

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

 

You received Christ as Lord. Now live in Him. Be rooted in Him. Built up in Him. Strengthened in faith. Overflowing with thankfulness.

 

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.

 

Don't let anyone take you captive through philosophy based on human tradition rather than on Christ.

 

For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you've been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.

 

All of God's fullness lives in Christ. In bodily form. And you've been brought to fullness in Him. He's head over every power and authority.

 

In Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised with Him through your faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.

 

You were circumcised spiritually. Your sinful nature was put off. You were buried with Christ. Raised with Him. Through faith.

 

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having cancelled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; He has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

 

You were dead in sin. God made you alive. He forgave all your sins. He cancelled your debt. Nailed it to the cross. He disarmed spiritual powers. Triumphed over them publicly.

 

Therefore don't let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.

 

Don't let anyone judge you about food, drink, festivals, or Sabbaths. These were shadows. Christ is the reality.

 

Don't let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they've seen; they're puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. They've lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.

 

Don't let anyone disqualify you with false humility and angel worship. They're puffed up. They've lost connection with Christ, the head.

 

Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!? These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

 

You died with Christ to the world's spiritual forces. Why submit to rules like don't handle, don't taste, don't touch? These rules look wise. They look spiritual. But they have no value in restraining sin.

 

Living as Those Made Alive in Christ

Since, then, you've been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

 

You've been raised with Christ. Set your heart on things above. Set your mind on things above. You died. Your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ appears, you'll appear with Him in glory.

 

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Don't lie to each other, since you've taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

 

Put to death your earthly nature. Sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, greed. You used to live like this. Not anymore. Get rid of anger, rage, malice, slander, filthy language, lying. You've taken off the old self. Put on the new self. Being renewed in God's image.

 

Here there's no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

 

In Christ, there's no ethnic, religious, cultural, or social division. Christ is all. Christ is in all.

 

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

 

You're chosen. Holy. Dearly loved. So clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience. Bear with each other. Forgive. And above all, put on love.

 

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell amongst you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

 

Let Christ's peace rule in your hearts. Be thankful. Let Christ's message dwell richly. Teach and admonish with wisdom. Sing with gratitude. Whatever you do, do it all in Jesus' name. Give thanks.

 

Instructions for Households

Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and don't be harsh with them.

 

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, don't embitter your children, or they'll become discouraged.

 

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favour, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you'll receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It's the Lord Christ you're serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there's no favouritism.

 

Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

 

Further Instructions

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I'm in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.

 

Be wise in the way you act towards outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

 

Devote yourself to prayer. Be watchful. Thankful. Pray for open doors for the gospel. Be wise towards outsiders. Make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and salty. Know how to answer everyone.

 

Final Greetings

Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He's a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I'm sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. He's coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who's one of you. They'll tell you everything that's happening here.

 

My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. You've received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him. Jesus, who's called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews amongst my co workers for the kingdom of God, and they've proved a comfort to me.

 

Epaphras, who's one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He's always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. I vouch for him that he's working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.

 

Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.

 

After this letter has been read to you, see that it's also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.

 

Tell Archippus: see to it that you complete the ministry you've received in the Lord.

 

I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

 

What This Means for You

Colossians is about the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ. He's the image of God. All things were created by Him, through Him, for Him. All God's fullness dwells in Him. He's head over every power and authority. And you've been brought to fullness in Him.

 

Here's what Colossians teaches you:

Christ is supreme. Over all creation. Over all powers. Over everything. In everything He has supremacy.

All God's fullness dwells in Christ. Not part. All. In bodily form. You don't need to look elsewhere for God. Look at Jesus.

You've been brought to fullness in Christ. You're complete in Him. You don't need Jesus plus anything. You have Jesus. That's everything.

You died with Christ. You were raised with Christ. Your life is hidden with Christ. When He appears, you'll appear with Him in glory.

Don't let anyone judge you about food, drink, or festivals. These are shadows. Christ is the reality.

Don't let anyone disqualify you with false humility, angel worship, or special visions. They've lost connection with Christ, the head.

Human rules look wise but have no value in restraining sin. Don't submit to do not handle, do not taste, do not touch.

Set your heart and mind on things above, where Christ is. Not on earthly things.

Put to death your earthly nature. Put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, love.

Whatever you do, do it all in Jesus' name. Work as if you're serving the Lord, not people.

 

Your Next Steps

Colossians challenges you to see Christ as supreme and sufficient.

 

Have you added anything to Jesus? Jesus plus special knowledge? Jesus plus strict rules? Jesus plus religious experiences? Stop. Christ is sufficient. You're complete in Him.

 

Is your mind set on things above or earthly things? Where's your focus? Heaven or earth? Christ or the world?

 

Are you putting to death your earthly nature? Sexual immorality, impurity, lust, greed, anger, rage, malice, slander, lying? Put them to death.

 

Are you putting on the new self? Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, love? Clothe yourself with these.

 

Are you working as if you're serving Christ? Whatever you do, do it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.

 

Read It Yourself

This summary covers Colossians' major themes, but Paul's description of Christ's supremacy deserves slow, careful reading. Colossians is only four chapters. You can read it in twenty minutes.

 

Don't just read about Colossians. Read Colossians. Open your Bible and read all four chapters. Let the supremacy of Christ fill your vision. Let His sufficiency free you from human rules and philosophies.

 

Christ Is All You Need

The false teachers wanted to add to Christ. Special knowledge. Angel worship. Strict rules. Impressive philosophies.

 

Paul says no. Christ is all. He's supreme. He's sufficient. All God's fullness dwells in Him. You're complete in Him.

 

You don't need Jesus plus anything. You need Jesus. Period.

 

That's the message of Colossians. Christ is everything.

 

 

Scripture paraphrased and quoted from various translations for clarity.

© The Unknown Believer