Bible Commentaries
Colossians 1

Verse 1

Book Comments

Walking Thru The Bible

COLOSSIANS

Introduction

AUTHOR: This letter was written by the Apostle Paul about the same time as Ephesians and Philemon. Tradition says it was written during Paul’s imprisonment in Rome, recorded in Acts 28. Paul never visited Colossae himself (Colossians 2:1), and we believe the church there was started with contact with Epaphras and possibly even Philemon while Paul was preaching for two years at Ephesus, 90 mines west of Colossae.

PURPOSE: The main purpose for writing this letter was to correct some wrong ideas about Christ that were being taught in the towns of Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis (Colossians 4:13). The teachers of these false doctrines were usually called "Gnostics." The word "gnostic" comes from a Greek word which means "to have a special knowledge of God."

FALSE DOCTRINE: The Gnostics believed that everything material was evil, and that a fixed gulf existed between mater and spirit. Because of this false idea, they also held that the true God did not create the universe. Some taught that Christ did not have a real physical body, but that it only seemed to be real. Their emphasis was on wisdom and knowledge and the abasement of the body.

To practice the Gnostics’ teachings was suppose to give a person a special "full knowledge" not possessed by others. The Gnostics frequently used the word "fulness" in their teachings.

In Colossians Paul emphasizes Christ’s pre-eminence. It is interesting to note how often he uses the words "fulness" "complete" and "filled."

KEY VERSE: The key verse is 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."

Another important verse in Colossians 2:9 "For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily."

THEME: The Pre-eminence of Christ.

RELEVANCE: The message of this book is greatly needed today. In a time when Christ is scorned and his teaching rejected, we need to hold forth the grand truth of this inspired letter penned by the apostle Paul.

It was written when false teachers (the Gnostics) and Judiazers were attacking the gospel, and Christians themselves were not living up to principles it set forth.

Outline of Colossians

Theme: Christ is Preeminent

I. DOCTRINE -- Chapter 1

CHRIST’S PREEMINENCE DECLARED

1. In the Gospel message -- 1:1-12

2. In Redemption -- 1:13-14

3. In Creation -- 1:15-17

4. In the Church -- 1:18-23

5. In Paul’s ministry -- 1:24-29

II. DANGER -- Chapter 2

CHRIST’S PREEMINENCE DEFENDED

1. Beware of empty philosophies -- 2:1-10

2. Beware of religious legalism -- 2:11-17

3. Beware of man-man disciplines -- 2:18-23

III. DUTY -- Chapter 3 & 4

CHRIST’S PREEMINENCE DEMONSTRATED

1. In personal purity -- 3:1-11

2. In Christian fellowship -- 3:12-17

3. In the home -- 3:18-21

4. In daily work -- 3:22 - 4:1

5. In Christian living -- 4:2-6

6. In Christian service -- 4:7-18

SERMON OUTLINE

Who Is Jesus?

Colossians 1:15-20

1. The article "One Solitary Life" by George Peck.

2. This passage helps us to see "Who Jesus Is."

3. One of the greatest controversies to range in early church history occurred in the fourth century over this very passage. A man named Arius argued that Jesus was the very first thing that God created, and then Jesus created everything else. He reasoned that, after all, the obvious meaning of "first-born" is the one born first. That led to his conclusion that Jesus was not divine like the Father, but just a created being.

a. A brilliant young man named Athanasius soundly rejected that view and the "Arian" doctrine was branded as heresy. The historic view has been that Jesus, because He is the image of God, is eternal just as God the Father Himself is eternal. He is "very God" as Athanasius put it.

b. Thought is has been sixteen hundred years since Arius and Athanasius battled it out, the problem has not disappeared. Some religious groups today do not believe that Jesus is God or that He is eternal.

4. WHO IS JESUS?

I. JESUS IS THE IMAGE OF GOD (1:15)

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

1. "He is the image of the invisible God" (1:15a)

One difficulty people have in believing God is that God cannot be seen. Even as great a man as Moses had the longing to see God. He pleaded with God to just give him a glimpse (See Exodus 33:17-23).

2. The Greek word translated "image" in v. 15 is "eikon."

a. Notice the meaning of that word in religious circles.

b. Notice how that word is used today in computer circles.

c. What do you have on your driver’s license?

d. Passports in Paul’s day had a section called "Distinguishing Marks" that described something about the person that set him apart from everyone else. The Greek word "eikon" was used in that part of the passport.

3. TEV "Christ is the visible likeness of the invisible God."

II. JESUS IS THE FULLNESS OF GOD (1:15, 19)

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

"For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." (Colossians 2:9)

1. Jesus is not something "like" God, He is "everything" God IS!

2. Hebrews 1:3 "He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature..."

4. All of the attributes of divinity belong of Jesus, He IS God.

III. JESUS IS THE AGENT OF GOD (1:16)

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: (Colossians 1:16)

1. The word "for" means is in the sense "because." By Him, Jesus, all things were created. HE was not created, He CREATED!

2. "Before Jesus the carpenter made stools, Jesus the Creator made stars." He fashioned plows, He fashioned planets. Before He made tables, He made trees from which those tables would be made.

3. He also made all the invisible things of our universe.

IV. JESUS IS THE HEAD OF GOD’S CHURCH (1:18-23)

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. (Colossians 1:18)

1. From Jesus comes all the guidance and direction for the church.

a. The "doctrine" is "His doctrine" (Hebrews 6:1; 2 John 1:9)

b. He is not just "first" but the "Source."

2. Jesus was the first to rise never to die again.

3. Over What was He to have the preeminence? All things! Creation, powers, the church, death...

Why was he to have the preeminence? For in Him the sum total of the powers and attributes of God dwell.

V. JESUS IS THE PEACE-MAKER BETWEEN MAN AND GOD

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.

21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled (Colossians 1:20-21).

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Verse Comments

Col. 1:1 Twin Epistle of Ephesians.

Verse 2

Colossians 1:2

Colossians is the twin epistle of Ephesians.

Ephesians = "The church of Christ"

Colossians = "Christ of the church."

Colossians has 95 verses.

Outline:

Ch. 1 DOCTRINE - Christ’s Preeminence Declared

Ch. 2 DANGER - Christ’s Preeminence Defended

Ch. 3&4 DUTY - Christ’s Preeminence Demonstrated

Ch. 1 DOCTRINE - Christ’s Preeminence Declared

1. In the Gospel Message - Colossians 1:1-12

2. In Redemption - Colossians 1:13-14

3. In Creation - Colossians 1:15-17

4. In the Church - - Colossians 1:18-23

5. In Paul’s Ministry - Colossians 1:24-29

Verse 3

Colossians 1:3

Give Thanks -- Mentioned by Paul six times in this short letter.

Colossians 1:3; Colossians 1:12; Colossians 2:7; Colossians 3:15; Colossians 3:17; Colossians 4:2

Praying -- The details of Paul’s prayer is found in Colossians 1:9-12.

Verse 4

Colossians 1:4

Heard of your faith -- For details on the Conversion of the Collions see Gann’s sermon on "Receiving Christ" on Colossians 2:6.

Col. 1:4 FAITH

Col. 1:4 LOVE

Colossians 1:5 HOPE

Verse 5

Colossians 1:5

(see Colossians 1:2 for full outline_

#1 Christ Is Preeminent in the Gospel Message.

1) They heard the gospel v. 5, 7

2) The believed in Jesus Christ, v. 4

3) They were taught (discipled) v. 7; Matthew 28:19-20

4) They became "faithful" in Christ; v. 6, 8

Colossians 1:4 FAITH

Col. 1:4 LOVE

Col. 1:5 HOPE

Verse 7

Epaphras A believer who shared the gospel message with the Colossians. Paul later describes him as a servant-hearted leader who works hard on behalf of Christians in Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis (Colossians 4:12-13). - FSB [Philemon 1:23)

slave This description of Epaphras does not mean that he was literally a servant or slave. Rather, Paul is using figurative language to characterize Epaphras as a humble servant of God. - FSB

Verse 9

Colossians 1:9

Pray -- (Colossians 1:3)

A Prisoner’s Prayer

1. He prayed that they might know - v.9 Colossians 1:9

2. He prayed for their obedience - v.10 Colossians 1:10

3. He prayed that they would be strong - v. 11 Colossians 1:11

4. He prayed that they would be grateful - v. 12 Colossians 1:12

Verse 12

Colossians 1:12

Colossians 1:12

Col. 1:12

Giving Thanks -- Mentioned by Paul six times in this short letter.

Colossians 1:3; Colossians 1:12; Colossians 2:7; Colossians 3:15; Colossians 3:17; Colossians 4:2

Verse 13

Colossians 1:13

Ch. 1 DOCTRINE - Christ’s Preeminence Declared

1. In the Gospel Message - Colossians 1:1-12

2. In Redemption - Colossians 1:13-14

#2 Christ is Preeminent in Redemption - v.13-14

1) He delivered us - v.13

2) He translated us - v.13

3) He redeemed us - v.14

4) He has forgiven us - v.14

Translated -- conveyed, transplanted

Who Is Jesus?

v.13 Deliverer; King

v.14 Savior, Redeemer

v.15 Image; Preeminent

v.16 Agent; Creator

v.17 Eternal Source

v.18 Head; Source

v.19 Fullness of all that God is

v.20-21 Peacemaker

KINGDOM

"At hand"- Matthew 3:2,

To come in first century with "Power"- Mark 9:1,

But "Power" to come with Holy Ghost- Acts 1:8,

This happened on the day of Pentecost- Acts 2:1-4.

The Kingdom was in existence in Paul’s day- Colossians 1:13.

It is the Church- Matthew 16:18-19.

Verse 14

Colossians 1:14

Redemption -- [ # 4 Paul gives the picture of redemption from history.

cf. Deuteronomy 7:8 "The Lord has redeemed you out of the house of bondage."

O.T. = 48 times speaks of Redemption

N.T. = 7 times, all from Paul.

Paul’s then pictures this from the temple; Romans 3:25 ]

Verse 15

Colossians 1:15

(see full outline at verse Colossians 1:2)

Ch. 1 DOCTRINE - Christ’s Preeminence Declared

1. In the Gospel Message - Colossians 1:1-12

2. In Redemption - Colossians 1:13-14

3. In Creation - Colossians 1:15-17

Vs. 15-17; Seven unique characteristics that qualify Christ to have the supremacy.

Image -- eikon = Icon; 1) Like on coins.

Firstborn -- refers to title or rank and honor, the highest. Not literally to our English concept of one who is born first.

firstborn of all creation . . It would be wrong to think in physical terms here, as if Paul were asserting that the Son had a physical origin or was somehow created (the classic Arian heresy) rather than existing eternally as the Son, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, in the Godhead. What Paul had in mind was the rights and privileges of a firstborn son, especially the son of a monarch who would inherit ruling sovereignty. This is how the expression is used of David: “I will make him the firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth” (Psalms 89:27). - FSB

the firstborn over all creation . . Cf. Colossians 1:18. The Greek word for “firstborn” can refer to one who was born first chronologically, but most often refers to pre-eminence in position, or rank (see note on Hebrews 1:6; cf. Romans 8:29). In both Greek and Jewish culture, the firstborn was the ranking son who had received the right of inheritance from his father, whether he was born first or not.- MSB

[See MSB for an extended grammatical point.]

Thus Jesus is the firstborn in the sense that He has the preeminence (Colossians 1:18) and possesses the right of inheritance “over all creation” (cf. Hebrews 1:2; Revelation 5:1-7, Revelation 5:13). He existed before the creation and is exalted in rank above it. - MSB

Firstborn . . does not mean he was created; it is a title, drawn from the OT, indicating supremacy of rank and priority in time (see, e.g., Psalms 89:27). - NLTSB

Verse 18

Colossians 1:18

(see full outline at verse Colossians 1:2)

Ch. 1 DOCTRINE - Christ’s Preeminence Declared

1. In the Gospel Message - Colossians 1:1-12

2. In Redemption - Colossians 1:13-14

3. In Creation - Colossians 1:15-17

4. In the Church - - Colossians 1:18-23

CHURCH -- Matthew 16:18, Ephesians 5:23-27, Acts 20:28.

The Church is the "Body of Christ," Ephesians 1:22-23, Colossians 1:18; Colossians 1:24,

There is one body- Ephesians 4:4-6, 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, Colossians 3:15,

Saved "Added by the Lord"- not "Voted In," Acts 2:47, 2 John 1:9-10,

Verse 19

Colossians 1:19

Pleased -- God was pleased;

Fullness -- RSV all the fulness of the Godhead.

Verse 21

Colossians 1:21

v.21a -- past alienation (Gentiles)

v.21b -- present reconciliation

Verse 22

Colossians 1:22

To present -- Purpose of God’s reconciliation.

v.22 -- God’s aim is holiness.

v.23 -- Obedience; steadfastness

Verse 23

Colossians 1:23

v.22 -- God’s aim is holiness.

v.23 -- Obedience; steadfastness

Hope -- is the Lord’s return, eternal life.

(Colossians 1:23 cf. Hebrews 2:7-9; for every creature "universe" notes.)

This seems to indicate that God has no other creatures in the universe except on earth, or if there be so; the gospel to be preached to them(?).

Verse 24

Colossians 1:24

(see full outline at verse Colossians 1:2)

Ch. 1 DOCTRINE - Christ’s Preeminence Declared

1. In the Gospel Message - Colossians 1:1-12

2. In Redemption - Colossians 1:13-14

3. In Creation - Colossians 1:15-17

4. In the Church - - Colossians 1:18-23

5. In Paul’s Ministry - Colossians 1:24-29

Afflictions -- Suffering -- Christ suffered through the afflictions of Pau. (?)

Verse 26

Colossians 1:26

cf. Ephesians 3:1-3 Gospel hid in the past! (How God reconciled Jew and Gentile)

Verse 27

Colossians 1:27

See Ephesians 3:17 note on "Indwelling"

Verse 28

Colossians 1:28

Perfect -- mature, full grown, complete.